Bullet

Feral Cats: Let the World Know How Much You Love Them

by Joi

Feral Cat T-Shirt

Of our four cats (Alexa, Hannah, Queen Fatima, and Jelly Bean), two are from a feral cat I named Ming Li. Although these two are extremely friendly and not only allow me to pet them (but enjoy it profusely), they have certain characteristics that definitely separate them from Hannah and Alexa. For example, cat parents can always pick up their babies and even walk around the house or yard with them – I can certainly do so with my non-feral cats.

However, picking up a feral cat is generally not something they enjoy and I would only attempt it if it were to remove them (or a smaller animal) from harm.

The most unfortunate, and even heart-breaking thing, about caring for and loving feral cats is you never know when they’ll leave you. It’s been my experience that they aren’t often the healthiest little things (I recently lost one, “Bullet”). Plus, by nature, they love to roam and scout out new territories.

Fortunately, the two we have now were born on our property and have known us since they can remember – so I’m pretty certain they aren’t going anywhere. I also get the feeling that each was the healthiest from their prospective litters. Jelly seldom ever leaves the carport or front yard and Queen Fatima’s never gone on one of her infamous “hunts” for very long. While they “seem” like the other cats 98 percent of the time, occasionally there’ll be a reminder that there are definite differences.

For example, just this morning, as I was feeding the three outside cats, I leaned down and kissed Hannah on the head. It was met with a hard, fast purr and she continued eating. I then did the same to Jelly Bean and you’d have thought he’d been attacked by a giant, cat-eating owl! The smooch sound, alone, jolted Fatima even before it was her turn for a kiss. Each went back to eating as I petted their backs and heads, but they each kept one eye out for the ridiculous noise I’d previously made.

All along, I’ve tried to take things very slowly with them, on their terms. When you’re fortunate enough to have feral cats in your life, you have to remember that it’s all about them, not you. You can’ t let a selfish desire to touch or hug one get in the way of what really matters: You’re providing food, water, love, and care. You’re building a bond of trust and establishing a relationship, but know that they’re always in charge of how close you can get and how fast the bond is built.

There have been some feral cats that I’ve never been able to touch at all. It took months (LONG months because I was dying to pet her precious little head!) before Ming Li allowed me the honor of rubbing her. When she first threw her tiny body against my arms and purred, tears rolled down my cheeks because I was so happy – and completely honored by her trust. She honored me another way, too. Twice. I call one Queen Fatima and the other Jelly Bean.

I will always believe that Ming Li knew she wasn’t well. She had her babies near me so I could take care of them, and again, if I thought about it long enough the tears would flow once more.

The t-shirts in this post pay homage to feral cats and the patient individuals who care for them. These are really super cute – almost as cute as wild, unpredictable feral cats, themselves!

Click each for a closer look and spread the word about Feral cats and Feral cat care. The best thing about t-shirts such as this is that people will very often ask you, “What’s a feral cat?” Then you have a golden opportunity to educate them about feral cats and maybe even convert a feral cat car provider in the process. When you click through, you’ll find other t-shirts as well as other colors and sizes.


I love feral cats Light T-Shirt
I love feral cats Light T-Shirt

Feral Cat 4a Organic Women's Fitted T-Shirt (dark)

Feral Cat 4a Organic Women’s Fitted T-Shirt (dark)

Takes a Village, Feral Cats Women's V-Neck T-Shirt

Takes a Village, Feral Cats Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt

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Beautiful Outdoor Cat House: The KatKabin

by Joi

If you’re familiar with me at all, you know that I have 5 cats. One (Alexa) is an indoor diva and the other four (Hannah, Bullet, Jelly Bean, and Queen Fatima) are outside cats.  Alexa – who was “here first” as she likes to remind the others – will not even consider allowing the others to get so much as one paw through the door.  Fortunately, these outside babies don’t seem to mind the arrangement.  No doubt if they did show interest in coming in out of the weather, I’d have to have a long, hard talk with little Miss Alexa.

We live outside the city limits, on a large piece of land.  There is actually an old barn, as well as a garage (my husband keeps the door cracked for them to come and go, then cleans it out when spring hits…. sigh, I love him).  When Bo and Svenn were alive, they absolutely loved the garage.  They could be found sleeping up in the loft even in the summer!  Bullet is also big on the garage and when the weather is particularly cold or stormy, off he goes.  Jelly Bean likes to go back and forth between the garage and the barn.

Odd that he’s the only one (of the many, many, many cats we’ve had over the years) to seek warmth and refuge in the barn.

HOWEVER, my little outside girls (Hannah and Fatima) will not head for the garage unless it’s storming or snow is on the ground.  No matter how cold it gets, they see no need to leave the carport.  I always make them a little tent in the corner – with many thick covers and blankets draped over a few lawn chairs.  When it isn’t too cold, all 4 cats can be found in their tent!  Yet I always wanted something more – another warm option for them….

…something like a little house.

Ironically enough, I had been thinking about this situation when I got an e-mail asking if I’d like a KatKabin to review for Cat-Pause.com.  I was thrilled to accept and watched for its delivery daily.

When the KatKabin arrived, Alexa and I anxiously opened the box.  The KatKabin was bigger and even prettier than I had hoped for!  They sent me a beautiful hot pink version and Alexa couldn’ t take her eyes off of it.  I put it on the ground – without the little removable door on the front – to see if she’d go in.  She’s kind of an odd duck about things like that, so I was skeptical.  However, she marched right in, turned around and laid down on the soft little pad it comes with!

Unfortunately for her, I had the KatKabin in mind for the outside kids – after all, she has a heated home with warm couches and warm beds!  I hauled the beautiful little KatKabin outside for the fearless foursome to inspect.  It was a chilly day but not cold enough to send the boys off to the barn or garage.  Jelly Bean was the first one to try out the KatKabin.  He actually took up residence for about an hour before the others got a shot at it!  Bullet’s snide, mocking looks (imagine, a tough guy cat lounging in a hot pink cabin) didn’t faze him. He just went to sleep in his comfortable surroundings.

The minute Jelly Bean left the KatKabin (nature called), Queen Fatima (a very small, adorable, fragile gray cat – she’s the spitting image of her feral cat mom, Ming Li) went in. Since we lost Ming Li (I loved that little eccentric cat!), Queen Fatima looks at Hannah as her mother – something that Hannah endures with great humor.  The fact that she separated from Hannah long enough to try out the KatKabin kind of caught us all off guard.

Over the course of the day, all of the cats took turns with the KatKabin. At one point, Fatima and Hannah were in there at once. Fatima looked blissfully happy but Hannah looked like she could use a big old helping of “ME time.”

Even on the coldest days, when I stick my hand into the KatKabin, I’m amazed at how much warmer it is in there.  The cat’s body heat sort of creates a little sauna. When the weather isn’t overly cold (we’ve actually enjoyed some really nice weather for over a week), I take off the little removable clear door.  My cats love to sit in their KatKabin and watch birds, one another, me…..  Bullet actually tends to lie in it toward the front with his little arms sort of sticking out – it reminds me of a dog in a dog house.  A comparison he doesn’t appreciate.

Product Description

Product Description

KKZBL Doors: Single Door (as shown) The KatKabin DezRez is the new outdoor stylish house for cats. It is a light yet sturdy house with unique, feline-shaped ends that will appeal to cats of every type. The KatKabin will stand securely on any type of ground and comes with a KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep wind and rain out. Please Note: Double-door KatKabins are special orders, and thus NOT returnable. Please allow an extra 24 – 48 hours for processing on double-door orders. Features: -Royal blue is the ideal choice for that cool, confident cat about town. -Includes KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep the rain out. -Optional double door setup has door on each end (special order, not returnable). -Outdoor stylish house for cats. -Light yet sturdy with unique feline-shaped ends. -Great shelter for abandoned, wild or feral cats. -Specifically developed as an outside cat house which withstand extremes of temperature. -Made from the strongest materials and will not fade in sunlight. -Will stand securely on any type of ground and comes with a KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep wind and rain out. -Dimensions: 13” H x 16” W x 22” D.

Whether your cat is an inside cat, an outside cat, or enjoys the best of both worlds – he or she will LOVE this KatKabin. You’ll love how beautiful it looks and love the fact that it keeps your baby warmer even more. Read more about the KatKabin by clicking the link or order your’s today on Amazon.

Order the Blue KatKabin.

Order the

Order the KatKabin DezRez Standard in Hot Pink.

Remember, the KatKabin is available in many colors. Just click through one of the links above and find the color you want! Those of us who love our cats like family (which is exactly what they are) do everything in our power to make them healthy, safe, and happy. This is just another way to show our babies how much we love them.

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Keeping Outdoor Cats Warm this Winter

by Joi

See more Lolcats and funny pictures

Brrrrrr… it has already cooled off considerably and thoughts have turned to keeping our outside cats warm.  As you know, we have one inside diva extraordinaire (Alexa).  She claims “squatting rights” and insists that our other cats remain outdoors.  Truth be told, outdoors is all 3 of them know and they’re just wild enough to flip if we ever did try to bring them indoors.

I remember one year we were having a HORRIBLE storm and I was scared for our outdoor cat (Svenn).  He was also what you’d consider pretty “wild,” but I brought him in anyway.  After all, he was my wild baby and I wasn’t going to let anything happen to him.

He went nuts.

He ran into the sliding doors – he screamed and meowed like he were being tortured and no amount of coddling or baby talk would calm him down.  I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack!

Needless to say, I haven’t made that mistake sense.

My husband keeps our garage door opened just enough for our cats to get inside (and short possums, but they seldom go in for long).  Fortunately we don’t use our garage for anything except storing Christmas decorations, yard work supplies, and other seasonal knick knacks – so the cats consider it a large, wonderful winter home.

Pretty soon, my husband will grab a bale or two of straw and put it up in the loft of the garage.  I’ve climbed up there before and am amazed at how warm it stays with the straw and old blankets.  Of course, when spring rolls around, I have a ton of sweeping and cleaning to do but…. are you kidding me, it’s SO worth it to keep my babies warm and comfortable!

I’ve been looking on Amazon this morning at some items Hannah, Jelly Bean, Queen Fatima, and Bullet would like in their winter home and have found some GREAT stuff.

First up, the K&H 3093 Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad with Fleece Cover.

Product Features

  • Thermostatically controlled to warm to your cat?s normal temperature
  • Made of rugged ABS plastic
  • Ideal for sheds, garages, barns, or anywhere else your outdoor cats hang out
  • Includes 5.5-foot steel wrapped cord and fleece cover
  • 1-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

If your cat spends a lot of time outside, she needs the K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad to rest in complete comfort. Just plug in the 5.5-foot steel wrapped cord to generate comfortable heat. The pad is thermostatically controlled to warm to your pet’s normal body temperature. Great for cathouses, porches, balconies, garages, barns, sheds, or even in your home. Made of rugged ABS plastic with fleece cover included. UL listed. 1-year limited warranty.

Second of all, the Allied Heated Pet Bowl – Plastic would keep them and ME happy. I can’t even tell you how many trips I make in the frigid cold to give them fresh, unfrozen ice!

Product Features

Size: 5-Quart
  • Thermostatically controlled.
  • Capacity of 1.25 gallons
  • Enables the consumer to remove the heating element after the winter season, which allows year-round use
  • Nonheated Bowl Replacements are available at a fraction of the cost of the entire Heated Bowl
  • Bowl is nestable, and the cord is coiled and secured to the bottom of the Bowl for a neat shelf appearance

Product Description

Allied, Plastic Heated Pet Bowl, 5 Quart. Low-wattage Heated Pet Bowl has a capacity of 1.25 gallons, and is thermostatically controlled. Available in either plastic or stainless steel. The plastic Bowl is dishwasher safe. Both enable the consumer to remove the heating element after the winter season, which allows year-round use. Nonheated Bowl Replacements are available at a fraction of the cost of the entire Heated Bowl. This means economical replacement of a worn bowl or convenient rotation of dirty bowls. Both bowls are nestable, and the cord is coiled and secured to the bottom of the Bowl for a neat shelf appearance. Patented. 50 watts, 120 volts. All of our products are fully warranted against defects in workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase, unless otherwise noted. U.L. Listed

Last of all, I’m wild about this K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Camper, Measures 14 by 20 Inches! Knowing Alexa like I know Alexa – I KNOW she’d love this kitty camper even though she’s an inside cat. She gets chilly sometimes, even when we have the heat on. I remember Prissy always burrowed in between pillows or the girl’s stuffed animals on days she was convinced she was freezing! Even inside babies love heated beds and heated kitty campers!

Product Features

  • Outdoor or indoor heated cat shelter with roof and 40-watt heated pad
  • Great for outdoor cats that sleep in garages, sheds, porches and barns
  • Thermostatically controlled for cat?s normal body temperature
  • 2 doors for quick exit; 5-1/2-foot steel wrapped cord for chew resistance
  • Measures 11 by 14 by 20 inches; one-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

Great for keeping your favorite outdoor kitty warm through blustery nights, the Heated Kitty Camper sets up in any unheated outdoor structure, wood shed, garage, porch, or barn, offering your feline friend healthier joints and happier slumber. The Heated Kitty Camper not only offers protection from the cold, its cushiony comfort makes Fifi feel like she’s living in then lap of luxury. Kitty may make a quick exit, if necessary, by one of the two doors built into the design. Internal dual thermostats keep the temperature at a comfortable 102 degrees F when in use. When not in use, the surface of the bed stays between 10 and 15 degrees above room temperature so it’s always inviting.Built tough enough for outdoor use, the camper can also be used indoors with the same, safe heating functionality. The heater removes for quick machine washing for easy maintenance. And the 5-1/2 foot extension cord is steel wrapped for chew resistance and optimal safety for all. The 40-watt heater plugs into standard household electrical outlet for advanced heat dispersion. UL listed for safety, the camper measures 14 by 20 by 11 inches and carries a limited one-year warranty.

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Protecting Outside Cats in Excessive Heat

by Joi

As I’ve said many times before, I have outside cats that are only “outside” cats because of a certain inside baby (Alexa) who I’m afraid wouldn’t be too welcoming. We don’t call her our little spoiled baby for nothing.

Plus, a few of our outside cats are Ming Li’s kittens – she was a feral cat who it took months of coaxing to even approach. Unfortunately, she’s no longer with us but before she left, I was able to pet her at will – she actually became a pretty big baby, purring constantly.

She left behind several babies and, since they were born to such a wild little momma, I’d never stand a chance of picking them up!

I can pet two out of three of them regularly. They’re very sweet but picking them up would probably completely freak them out at this point.

So bringing them inside is an impossibility. Hannah, of course, can be picked up, hugged, kissed, and held all day… she loves it, the big baby. I’m just very scared of her and Alexa getting into a squabble. Besides, she doesn’t seem to mind living out in the wild.

However, with an excessive heat advisory in effect here in Owensboro, Kentucky today – I’ve been doing all I can to cool off my hot little girls and boys.

I’ve “iced” Hannah down twice – she loves it! Fatima wants no part of it and the boy cats look at me like I’ve lost my mind completely. Earlier, Fatima (the tiniest little cat in the world) looked on the brink of death – seriously. Her mouth was hanging open and her eyes just didn’t look right. I wet a towel down with cool water and laid it on the ground. She wouldn’t let me rub her with it but when I laid it out on the ground, she laid on top of it.

I then took out a big bowl of ice and placed it all around the area she and Hannah were lying in. They both licked the ice and laid down amongst the melting glaciers.

One of the boy cats (Bullet) took off for the barn after a long cold drink and the other (Jelly Bean) enjoyed the glaciers with the girls.

He’s such a little Romeo.

I looked out a few minutes ago (I’ve been checking on them frequently) and they were still chilling nicely. Fatima looks 100 percent better and Hannah seems to be hinting for another ice massage.

Soooo…. I’m off to ice my girl down and HOPE the others will allow me to give them one as well.

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Cat Perch for Pampered Cats

by Joi

Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch - Cream

This morning, as I was admiring our beautiful purple morning glories (planted specifically beneath one of Alexa’s favorite windows – so she can admire butterflies and hummingbirds up close and personal), I realized that IF there were such a thing as reincarnation, you could do a lot worse than coming back as a pampered house cat! They don’t have to fight for anything – food, water, shelter, a bed, attention, safety, head scratches, 8:00 am hummingbird shows….

I read not long ago that one of the things we Americans DIDN’T cut back on during the slumping economy was pet food and pet supplies. We love our babies! They bring us so much love, happiness, joy, companionship, and laughter – how could we NOT want to give them everything their little cat hearts desire?

Admittedly, I just returned from the store with cat food, fresh cat litter, and even a bag of Whiska’s Cat Treats. All of our cats absolutely adore these cat treats, especially the Salmon variety.

Now, Alexa’s curled up in her favorite cat bed – belly full and more content than anyone or anything has a right to be!

Three of our outside babies (outside simply because Princess Alexa wouldn’t accept just being “one” of the cats inside… she has to be “the” diva who lives inside with her people) Hannah, Fatima, and Jelly Bean are sprawled out in the shade, enjoying their full bellies and the August breeze.

Our fourth outside cat, Bullet, is apparently off catting around or sacked out in a loft. Hannah ate enough treats for her and him both, though.

The Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch – Cream appears to be something Alexa would be very much interested in and, personally, I’m crazy about the beautiful Cream color – though they’re available in 9 great other colors as well. The hunter green is also gorgeous – it might even make the pampered cat feel like she’s out in the jungle!

Product Description:
Whether you have multiple kitties, or just one who is the queen or king of the castle, this Two Level cat house is a great piece of cat furniture. This cat house features two rest areas – a round bed and a curved cradle. Not only is this a terrific cat lounger, it also is a scratching post. A solid pine pole is wrapped in all-natural sisal rope, which provides an outlet for busy paws. Available in nine colors – Cream, Tan, Brown, Red, Navy Blue, Country Blue, Green, Gray, and Hunter Green. With such a range of colors, you’re sure to find one for even your most finicky of felines. And remember – not only do cats love having their own area, but a good scratching post will deter your cat from scratching your furniture! This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 4-10 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.

See Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch – Cream for a closer look. I just looked at the different colors again and now I’m torn – I love them all. The country blue couldn’t be any prettier. But the cream….

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