Veterinarians at the Peggy Adams Rescue League spay/neuter thousands of unowned cats a year. The group’s Spay/Neuter Day is set for Aug. 15. Photos provided
By Arden Moore
People and groups are steadily doing their parts to bring out the best in kittens and cats in Palm Beach County. So, it is fitting to salute them this month since August has not one, but three special days focused on felines.
They are International Cat Day (Aug. 8), Black Cat Appreciation Day (Aug. 17) and Take Your Cat to the Vet Day (Aug. 22).
Felines can be trickier to figure out than dogs. Yes, cats can be fussy, fascinating, funny and a bit frustrating. It was my quest for this month’s column to salute individuals and groups that make life better for cats.
Let’s start with the staff and volunteers at Peggy Adams Rescue League based in West Palm Beach. Right now, they are grappling with kitten season and now have more kittens and cats at the shelter and in foster care homes than puppies and dogs.
“The summer months find us with more cats than dogs,” says Kelsey Otocki, Peggy Adams’ marketing manager, who shares her home with a pair of adopted cats named Bubbles and Ghost.
She highlighted some cat-related programs now underway:
Special adoption rates for the summer: Until the end of August, all adoption fees are waived for adoptable cats and a 50% adoption rate discount exists for kittens at the shelter.
Spay/Neuter Day on Aug. 15: Peggy Adams teams up with various organizations and veterinarians with the goal to spay and neuter 500 unowned cats in the community. Each cat will be sterilized, vaccinated and have their left ears tipped (the universal signal that the cat has been spayed/neutered).
Working cats: Not all cats want to live in homes. Some prefer living in barns, garages, warehouses and other places. For people willing to adopt these cats, the shelter waives adoption fees, offers free spay/neuter and vaccinations plus provides cat dens, bowls and starter food and litter. “These cats get rid of pests and can be your furry outdoor friends,” says Kelsey. “These are cats who do not want to come inside, but they need care.”
Next up is professional pet groomer Aundrea Altman, from the Zoomin Groomin mobile pet company that serves Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Company owner Eric Berman says about 20% of pets they bathe and groom are cats.
Aundrea Altman, from the Zoomin Groomin mobile pet company, cuddles with a fluffy client.
Cats come in many coats, from the super thick and fluffy Maine coons and Himalayans to the hairless sphynx. Aundrea also bathes, grooms and trims nails for nervous cats, senior cats with arthritis and cats with mats.
“With cats, you need endless amounts of patience when grooming,” says Aundrea. “One of the best things I learned is the power of a towel! You normally don’t have to place a towel over a dog’s head to help calm them down, but with cats, I’ve found it can really help de-escalate the grooming process.”
Her parting advice? “Do not wait until the matting becomes severe,” she says. “The earlier you address it, the more options the groomer may have and the more comfortable the process can be for your cat.”
Robin Zygelman operates the Puppers and Kitties by the Sea pet-sitting company that serves Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach. She estimates that 85% of pet-sitting services are for clients’ cats.
She urges pet people to hire sitters like her who are insured and bonded. During the initial meet-and-greet, she pays attention to the cats’ habits and personalities. She notes favorite hiding places in the home for cats, and their behaviors. She encourages clients to share pet evacuation plans should hurricanes or other nasty weather strike while they are away.
With cats, Robin has learned to practice patience to build their trust.
“Cats need and like the interaction when you play with them, feed them and brush them if they allow while their families are away on extended trips,” says Robin.
Since 2010, Kathleen Wright has operated KitKats Rescue, a nonprofit based in Delray Beach. She estimates she and her volunteer team have rescued and found homes for nearly 2,500 felines.
They have also teamed up with veterinarians to trap-neuter-vaccinate-return with about 3,000 community cats.
Her wish list? More people to foster kittens and cats in their homes, canned cat food, pine pellet litter and monetary donations to offset the veterinary bills to care for found felines.
Kathleen says the long days are worth it.
“Many cats and kittens become more confident and affectionate when they are given consistent, positive interactions and given time to feel safe,” she says.
Arden Moore is an author, pet podcast show host and master certified pet first aid instructor. Check out petfirstaid4u.com and ardenmoore.com.
Learn more
Check out in more detail how these people and organizations in Palm Beach County are helping cats:
Peggy Adams Rescue League: This West Palm Beach-based animal shelter offers many programs to benefit cats. Visit peggyadams.org.
Zoomin Groomin: This professional pet grooming company offers mobile grooming services to cats and dogs. Visit zoomingroomin.com/locations/florida/boca-raton-delray-beach.
KitKats Rescue: This Delray Beach-based nonprofit has been helping kittens and cats since 2010. Learn more at kitkatsrescue.com.
Puppers and Kitties By the Sea: This professional pet-sitting company serves Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach. Learn more at puppersandkitties
bythesea.com.
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