When you think of a cat show, images of elegant purebred cats and their proud owners spring to mind, don't they? Well, think again: this show is for the kind of kitties that most of us have in our homes -- the mixed-lineage cat (figure A). Cat lovers agree: every cat's a winner, even if she never gets to compete in a cat show! So let's get to know a couple of the winners featured in this episode of Company of Animals: - B.C. (figure B) was found in a garbage dumpster along with his six siblings. The only tailless one of the litter, B.C. (whose initials originally stood for Bobcat but now stand for Bad Cat) took an immediate liking to his new owner, and at the cat show he was named Best Household Pet.
- Lucky (figure C) was rescued from an animal shelter, and his owner says that although she would love to have a registered-breed pet, she would rather save a life by adopting a stray from the shelter. And anyway, she points out, pedigree or no pedigree, Lucky is the love of her life!
A stray cat may make her way into your life at some point in time, and you'll need to take a few precautions when you attempt a rescue: - Approach a stray slowly: she's likely to be frightened or injured.
- Use a towel to pick her up safely.
- Immediately take her to a vet for a checkup. Especially if you already have a cat or cats, you'll want to be sure she isn't carrying any communicable diseases. If you do already have pets, you'll want to wait awhile before introducing her into your home.
- Have any new addition spayed or neutered to help prevent health problems. Also, there are already too many unwanted and unadoptable kittens (and puppies) in the world; don't add to the problem.
Web site resources for Household Pet Cat Show: Happy Household Pet Cat Club Web site Advice on showing your household pet cat
RESOURCES :
It's Show-Time! : And Here's Everything Cat Fanciers Need to Know About Shows
Model: 0764102532
Author: Phil Maggitti and J. Anne Helgren
Barrons Educational Series
July 1998
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