Some cats play rough sometimes...

If your cat is playful, that's great! Most cats are, but some cats like to play a little rough at times, usually as they get more and more riled up when you're playing using your hand or arm. Sometimes cats will be wrestling with their toys on their own and try to nip as soon as you go in to give them a pet or two. They're riled up, excited, probably still in wrestlemania mode.
My foster kitty, Mickey, can get bitey, and that's not good when I'm trying to help find him a forever home. In fact, our first prospect lost interest when she saw him play bite. Yikes!
After noticing this was a habit, I turned to Tracey Toole, Co-Founder and Director of A Tail at a Time, for advice. She gave some sound advice that worked for me and my little Mickster:
If kitty is playing with your hand, get a plush toy he can use as substitute for your hand. Try to do this before he nibbles.
If kitty starts to bite and grab the hand/arm, tell him "NO" firmly and get the hand away. Kitty will likely pause and wonder what he/she did. Then you give kitty the toy and encourage them to grab it and play with it.

Make sure the toy is not so small that the cat can't rather hug it and really go at it. So a little mouse toy won't work. And it must be plush, so a plastic bell ball won't really do the job either.

Some tried and true ones are the Kitty Hoots from Fat Cat  found here: http://www.fatcats.com/html_site/cats.shtml My childhood cats' fave was the Newt Hoot!

So in summary, stop the action with a firm but not too loud or angry "No", and give kitty the toy to play with, and play with it a little to show him it's the play alternative.

Lastly, don't use your hand as a cat toy. Cats that develop a connection between hands and playtime may nip and bite anyone that goes in to pet them, such as guests or, if he/she is a foster, prospective adopters.
Mickey loves the feather stick http://youtu.be/pdj0oyt_w_c



Mickey is still up for adoption, so spread the word!
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18698965

by Courtney Kistler, foster and Rational Animal Rep. www.rational-animal.org

A kitten found outside with a herniated bladder. Meet Miguel.

Miguel was rescued from our co-founder's neighborhood where he was a favorite of a person, Miguel, who has fed outdoor cats for more than twenty years. He told us that Miguel had broken his leg at one point. When we took him to our vet he could not find any signs of a fracture but discovered that his bladder had herniated through his back just above his tail. Most likely he was kicked in that area.

The surgery was $500 but is well worth it! Miguel is so young (7 months old) and is such a sweet little black kitten who deserves a loving home.

He is still at Narrows Hospital.
Miguel spent an extra week at the vet because of a slight fever and to monitor drainage from the surgery. He is now recovering nicely in a foster home. He has started to play periodically again and is eating well. He should return to state of good health in the next few weeks. Next stop, looking for a purrmanent home.

Your donation helps us continue to help animals like Miguel. Kitties find outside depend solely on public donations.

If you would prefer call Narrows Clinic to give (718-238-5055).

Or you can mail a check to:
Narrows Animal Hospital
9107 4th Ave.
Brooklyn, NYC 11209

Or you can mail a check to A Tail at a Time:
PO Box 1655
NY, NY 10101

Thank you for saving a life!

Can you give $5 to help pay for Kitten Miguels's surgery?

Miguel is a 5 month old kitten found outside in Bed-Stuy. We can never turn our backs on an abandoned cat so we took him and brought him to our vet. We filed a lost report but noone ever claimed him. We learned that Miguel had a herniated bladder so our wonderful Dr. G performed surgery. The cost was $500 but well worth it. Miguel is a happy, lovable kitten now just waiting for his new home.
We don't want to turn away animals because of finances. With your donation we can pay for Miguel's surgery.

Marathon running for the furries!

On Sunday March  20th, Dave, one of our kitty fosters, ran a half marathon with donations going to A Tail at a Time. Dave we appreciate this so much and thank you for raising money for the furries. Below is an email we received from Dave.
"I  just wanted to let you know that my Dad and I completed the NY Half Marathon yesterday, with no broken bones, shrapnel knees or severed limbs. In fact, we both set personal bests, me coming in 5 and a half minutes better than my previous best at 1:38:56, and by Dad doing it in 1:51:27, 30 seconds better than his previous best - fantastic! It's a brilliant course, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who fancies doing it next year.

More importantly, your donations and support have been absolutely sensational, and to date, you have helped me raise over $2000 for my charity, A Tail at a Time http://www.atailatatime.org/. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate it, and I know that all at A Tail at a Time, from humans to furry creatures will be delighted. The money you have kindly donated will be used wisely and will save the lives of beautiful, helpless animals. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

The sponsorship page closes this week, so if you still wish to donate, you can do so here: http://www.crowdrise.com/davenewyorkhalfmarathon

Once again, thank you - i'm genuinely overwhelmed by your support and kindness."

Below are some photos that Dave and Stacey have fostered for us. They have taken in many kittens, sent us great bios and wonderful pictures, while attending every single adoption event. To 2 great fosters we are lucky to have you! 

Fostering Good “Katma”

Not sure you’re ready for the long-term commitment of pet ownership? In need of extra good “katma” for your dogma? It’s time to consider fostering!  Not only will you benefit from the joy of a snuggly, playful cuddle-buddy but you will also be helping a cat in need.

Hundreds of animals at the Animal Care and Control are put to sleep every day due to lack of space or money. By fostering a cat, you will save a life and reap the rewards of the good “katma” that comes with it!  Watch this video of Harriet one of A Tail's fosters.

Rescued from the euthanasia list and the city kill shelters, these animals were someone’s pets and now are homeless. If you can foster a couple kittens or adult cat you will be saving an animal's life.

Cats and dogs, former pets, are abandoned by their owner.

Please consider fostering and you will be saving one life. And they show their appreciation becoming a wonderful furry companion!

Adoption events are held a few times a month where we try to get your foster pet adopted. This is a great way to have a pet in your life without the permanent commitment. A wonderful way to give a loving animal/companion a home until he or she finds a forever home.

If you travel for business or are here in NYC as an expat this is a great way to bring some fun and happiness into your life while living here in NYC.

This is no cost to you except for food and love. Fostering can be as little as a few weeks or months.

To volunteer or for more info email volunteer@atailatatime.org

A Tail at a Time, Pet Adoption and Rescue is a no kill pet rescue and adoption group. A non profit 501c3 organization, member of the Mayor’s Alliance and Maddie’s Fund.

For more info check out our website www.atailatatime.org

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