OWNED CATS – WHAT OWNERS IN HAMILTON MAY WANT TO KNOW

RHC respects that owners love their pets and will do what they can to take good care of them. Listed here are a few things that anyone who owns a cat in Hamilton may want to know.

• Cats adopted recently from rescue groups or shelters will have been examined by a vet, spayed/neutered, vaccinated & likely microchipped when brought home. But anyone who has taken in a stray or adopted from a friend or relative or off kijiji, will need to get this done. When the cost of an initial vet visit is an issue, a low-cost option in Hamilton is HBSPCA’s Community Assistance Program. For information about this program, click here.

• The importance of preventive care, including regular check-ups and vaccine updates, is often stressed and, yes, it can mean a longer, healthier life for the cat. For an idea of why, and for some tips from feline specialists, click here.

• People are often told to keep their cat indoors and, in most instances, that’s good advice. However, while most cats can adjust to living indoors, for some that is not the case and, ultimately, whether or not a cat is allowed outdoors is up to the owner. Any owner who makes the decision to let their cat outdoors should be sure to inform neighbours so that their cat won’t be mistaken for a stray and so that neighbours will know who to contact should issues arise.

• The importance of ID is stressed a lot these days and for good reason. Collars with tags providing owner contact info serve to identify the cat as an own (and not a stray) and to get lost cats back home. But the problem is that cats often lose their collars. The only permanent ID is a microchip. Cats adopted in recent years from a rescue group will already be microchipped. And an owner whose cat is not already microchipped can get that done easily; a chip can be inserted quickly and painlessly in a brief vet visit. Anyone in Hamilton who wants to get that done but finds the cost an issue, can check with HBSPCA for upcoming low-cost microchip clinics. Vets, shelters and rescue groups routinely check for microchips and microchips do work to get lost cats reunited with their owners. But owners need to be aware that, for these happy endings to occur, contact info needs to be up-to-date – and to remember to inform the microchip company right away of any address, phone# or email changes  

•  While there is much discussion about the grief owners feel when a beloved cat dies, far too little attention is paid to what happens to the cat when an owner dies or become suddenly unable to care for him/her. Too often these poor cats are finding  themselves abandoned ; so, RHC can’t express strongly enough how important it is for owners to have some plan in place - just in case. Some owners know for sure that a friend or relative is will take the cat in or can leave trust funds and detailed instructions in wills.  These options aren’t open to all of us. What everyone needs to be aware of is a note left with someone (or where it will be easily found) that outlines how to look after the cat (what food, treats to provide & routines the cat is used to), describes quirks to be aware of (like special toys, likes & dislikes) and identifies any health issues can go a long way toward ensuring a much deserved 2nd chance.