EveryCat Health Foundation has been honored with the November 10^th Donation Award from the Cat Writers’ Association, in conjunction with the CWA’s 30th anniversary. They will be this year’s beneficiary of the CWA’s fundraising efforts. Read on to find out more about the foundation and how you can help support feline health research and change cats’ lives around the planet.

EveryCat Health Foundation has supported medical and scientific breakthroughs in improving cat health and treating critical diseases since its founding in 1968. The CWA produced a video to highlight all of EveryCat’s contributions:

CWA President Lynn Maria Thompson shared how proud they are to raise funds for the EveryCat Health Foundation. “[Their] investment in feline health research has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of cats. Looking back at our 30 years of dedication to excellence in cat-centric written, visual, and audio media, and our shared love of cats, we feel that EveryCat is a perfect fit for our fundraiser.”

“We’re absolutely delighted to be honored by The Cat Writers Association in this way,” said EveryCat Executive Director Jackie Ott Jaakola. “We’re so impressed with their efforts to engage cat lovers everywhere and they’ve been equally supportive of our mission to help all cats everywhere. You can really see their excellence and dedication in the fabulous video they produced for the fundraiser.”

About EveryCat Health Foundation

EveryCat Health Foundation is the world’s only nonprofit focused solely on funding feline health studies and improving feline healthcare. With nearly 400 million companion cats bringing joy to their families across the world, and cat ownership growing, feline health research remains underfunded compared to many other animals.

Their mission is to advance feline health by supporting groundbreaking research and education. “Every cat, every day benefits from our foundation.”

Founded in 1968 by The Cat Fanciers’ Association, EveryCat Health Foundation awarded its first grant in 1971, and since then has awarded more than $10 million in grants for groundbreaking cat health research at more than 30 partner institutions worldwide. Through the support of dedicated donors and partners, this funding is made possible. Research supported by EveryCat Health Foundation helps veterinarians by providing educational resources that improve the treatment of common feline health problems and prevent many diseases. Grants are reviewed and awarded with the help of the foundation’s expert Scientific Review Committee.

They are still dedicated to their original vision of promoting the health and welfare of all cats, worldwide.

For more information, visit: https://everycat.org/.

EveryCat Health Foundation Grants

Grants from EveryCat have helped veterinarians improve the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and conditions and evolved the practice of feline medicine. Some of the most notable advancements EveryCat-funded research has made possible include:

How Can I Help?

Individuals and organizations can donate to the fundraiser here.  They are nearly halfway to their goal of $2500, but with the help of our Catsters, we’re sure we can help them exceed their goal, in the name of health for all cats!

To learn about the ways you can support the EveryCat Health Foundation outside of the fundraiser visit here.

As the world’s only nonprofit foundation with the sole mission of supporting feline health research, EveryCat Health Foundation’s collaborative work is made possible through the generosity of sponsors and donors.

The post EveryCat Health Foundation Honored Recipient of Cat Writers’ Association Annual Fundraiser in 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The Far North District of New Zealand (situated in, you guessed it, the far north of the country) is set to debate a significant change in animal regulations, with a proposed bylaw that would require all cats over the age of four months to be both microchipped and desexed.

The new rules, if adopted, would be the first animal regulations in the district since 2019, when the previous bylaw lapsed. As a result, pet management has become an increasing challenge, especially for cats, which are not covered by any current regulations. While the bylaw would regulate desexing, there would be no limit on the number of cats per household. The bylaw also proposes restrictions on other animals, including bans on roosters and pigs in urban areas.

New Zealand has been in the international news for its view on feral cats in the past when the announcement of a feral cat-hunting contest for kids went viral. The public anger led organizers to withdraw the event, though they maintained that the junior hunting tournament to kill feral cats was about “protecting native birds and other vulnerable species.”

So, where do feral cats fit in societies, especially in Island nations like New Zealand or Australia, where the expanding populations are threatening and endangering native animal species?

While house cats are popular and beloved in New Zealand, a country with only 5.2 million people, there are an estimated 2.4 million feral cats. Thus, seeing new bylaws proposed that are ‘fences at the top’ instead of ‘ambulances at the bottom’, like hunting competitions, could hopefully be the way of the future and give the cats and the public a chance to align.

The issue of feral cats has been a tense topic for many years between animal lovers and authorities globally, due to the impact they have on other wildlife. In New Zealand, one such species threatened by feral cats (but not limited to) is the kiwi, the country’s currently endangered national bird. Kiwi birds have an estimated population of 68,000, which is decreasing by 2% each year – roughly 20 kiwis per week.

A Gap in Pet Management

The lapse of the previous bylaw in 2019 left a regulatory gap, meaning the district has had no formal control over pet populations other than dogs, which are regulated under a separate bylaw. The absence of rules has made it difficult for the Far North District Council to respond effectively to residents’ complaints about nuisance or stray animals, and animal welfare organizations have been stretched incredibly thin trying to manage issues caused by the uncontrolled breeding of stray cats.

Under the proposed new bylaw, the council would gain tools to manage not only the behavior of pet owners but also the environmental and community impacts of unregulated animal populations.

Key Provisions for Cats

The proposed “chipping and snipping” requirement for cats over four months of age is one of the bylaw’s central features. This new rule is designed to tackle the growing population of stray and unowned cats, a pressing issue in the Far North District, which has a mild climate that enables nearly year-round breeding for cats.

Animal rescues, like Coast to Coast Cat Rescue based in Kerikeri, are flooded with kittens and stray cats. As of September 2024, Coast to Coast has taken in nearly 2,100 cats and kittens since 2021 alone. According to Sam Stewart, the founder of the organization, very few of these animals were desexed or microchipped when they arrived, and many were either strays or had been abandoned by their previous owners.

Microchipping and desexing are seen as crucial steps in both managing the cat population and ensuring the animals’ welfare. Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification, increasing the chances that lost or stray cats can be returned to their owners and reducing the number of unidentified strays ending up in rescues. Desexing helps reduce unwanted litters and inhumane treatment of them, which is especially important in regions where mild climates make for long breeding seasons.

Exceptions would be made for registered breeding cats or if a veterinarian certifies that desexing would be harmful to the cat’s health. In addition to microchipping and desexing, the bylaw leaves out a cap on the number of cats per household, under the reasoning that cat hoarding only becomes a problem if the animals are not managed responsibly.

Protecting Native Bird Populations

With animal welfare in mind, one of the most urgent reasons for this bylaw is the impact of stray and feral cats on New Zealand’s native wildlife. Cats, whether owned or feral, are natural predators of birds, and they pose a serious threat to New Zealand’s unique bird species. With some species already endangered, hunting cats add significant pressure to these fragile populations. The tūī, kākā, fantail, and aforementioned kiwi are among the vulnerable species that roam or nest in areas frequented by cats. The hunting instinct of even well-fed domestic cats can harm native bird numbers, especially in regions like the Far North, where many birds are ground-dwelling and thus more accessible to predators.

Cats have been introduced to an environment where native species evolved without land-based mammalian predators, making them especially vulnerable. For example, the kiwi bird is flightless and nocturnal, aligning their wake time with the feral cat population. One of their main adapted defenses is ‘freezing’, which isn’t fine against predatory birds who use sight to hunt, but not so helpful against cats, who use scent.

In the video below you can see the kiwi ‘freezing’. The feral cat was too busy eating to worry about the kiwi on film.

The bylaw’s focus on desexing and managing stray cats could reduce these risks, helping to create safer environments for New Zealand’s birds and supporting broader conservation efforts.

Community Impact and Moving Toward Responsible Pet Ownership

Those proposing the bylaw hope it will be a turning point and have a lasting positive impact on pet ownership behaviors in the Far North region, aiming to educate and encourage responsible pet ownership. By requiring basic steps like microchipping and desexing, the bylaw could help reduce the number of stray and unwanted animals and lead a cultural shift in how pets are managed.

The bylaw proposal excludes the need for a limit on the number of cats per household, as long as they are desexed, microchipped, and cared for responsibly (responsible care being the key phrase). Hoarding situations only become an issue when the number of animals a person keeps exceeds their ability to care for them responsibly, so those would still be addressed by the SPCA, mental health services, or council inspectors.

Consultation and Next Steps

The public has until November 18 to submit their views on the bylaw, with consultation open since September. If passed, the Far North District would join other districts in the country in enforcing compulsory microchipping and desexing to reduce cat overpopulation and its impacts.

• What are your thoughts on compulsory chipping and desexing?
• Do you believe this bylaw will help protect New Zealand’s native birds? How important is this for conservation?

We’d love to hear from you in the comment section below (beneath the feedback stars, keep scrolling down!).

The post New Bylaw Proposes Mandatory “Chipping & Snipping” for Cats in New Zealand Which Could Protect Native Birds by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The adorable feline phenomenon of ‘biscuit-making’ has taken social media by storm over the past few years, with some owners even going so far as dressing up their kitty in a baker’s hat and coat and filming them during their process. It’s adorable, and watching the cats go into their trance as they paw at blankets, couches, pillows, or stuffed animals (often shaped like baked goods), brings so much joy to parents and viewers alike.

Recently, it was discovered that this habit is not specific to our modern-day housecats. A 1200-year-old jug fragment was found in Jerusalem by archaeologists, that has an imprint of a small cat’s biscuit-making endeavors, making it the oldest evidence we have of this behavior.

The markings were noticed on the pottery fragment during post-excavation work in the laboratory by the lab director Gretchen Cotter.

Dr. Shimon Gibson, an archaeologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who co-directed the Mount Zion excavation that revealed the finding, shared that the team believes the print represents kneading rather than just a resting paw because the “claws were extended and left deep marks in the clay surface. We can only [imagine] that it was purring as it soaked up the Jerusalem sun.”¹

It is suspected that the relaxed cat left its prints in a freshly made jug before it was kiln-fired and used to carry liquids such as water, wine, or olive oil. It appears that the jug’s surface was still wet and malleable at the time of the ‘biscuit-making’.

A Claw-some Discovery

The jug fragment with the kitty print was recovered from near the summit of the traditional Mount Zion on the southwestern hill at a site of an ancient residential quarter. Dr. Gibson explained that the archaeologist team was able to roughly date the jug fragment to the ninth century based on other findings of pottery that they reliably dated to be from the Abbasid period (A.D. 750 to 1258).² This is not the first time archaeologists in the area have found evidence of cats in their excavations. Feline remains have been discovered dating back over 9000 years, and they have even found sculptures of cats dating back 10,000 years.

“Pawprints exist in abundance,” said Dr. Gibson, “but not with evidence of claws and kneading.”

The archaeologists also discovered numerous small fingerprints on pottery fragments, likely left by the potter’s children, who often helped attach jar handles, at the Mount Zion site. The jug fragment bearing the cat’s kneading print is currently being processed and will soon be handed over to Israeli authorities for further decisions on its preservation and display.

Kneadless to Say, Humans Have Always Kneaded Their Kitty Companions

There are many suggested reasons why a cat kneads, from comfort to showing love, with instinct generally being the top-inferred explanation. In discovering this 1200-year-old ancient paw print, we’re reminded that some of our favorite feline behaviors are in fact rooted in their history, transcending time and place. Kneading is more than just an adorable habit, it connects our beloved cats to their ancient ancestors and connects us to ours. Ultimately, these traces remind us of the timeless bond between humans and their biscuit-making kitty companions.

Featured Image Credit: Shimon Gibson/Mt Zion Expedition, Sourced from Live Science, All rights reserved to the copyright owners.

The post 1,200-Year-Old ‘Biscuit-Making’ Paw Prints Found by Archaeologists Suggest the Habit is Not Just for Modern Cats by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Pets Global, along with local college students, retailers, rescue organizations, and volunteers, have united and distributed over 120,000 lbs of donated cat and dog food to over 35 communities affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Ensuring that high-quality pet food is accessible to as many pet parents as possible is one of Pets Global Inc.’s main commitments, and as a part of this mission, they have stepped up in times of crisis, offering both hope and nourishment to animals in need.

Following the devastation caused by recent hurricanes across the Southeastern U.S., the company has partnered with rescue organizations, small businesses, and animal advocates to provide crucial relief to pet owners. They continue to support those still recovering from the storms’ aftermaths, with more than 120,000 pounds (over 60 tons) of premium pet food delivered to affected communities in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.

Saving Lives and Providing Hope

Pets Global’s efforts are about much more than just food. They represent a lifeline for pet owners who are struggling to care for their beloved fur babies while trying to rebuild their lives. With the support of trusted partners such as Southeast Pet, Pet Source, and dedicated volunteers from Emory & Henry University, the company has managed to reach even the hardest-hit areas. By joining forces with local animal welfare organizations like the Smyth County Animal Shelter, Animal Shelter of Sullivan County, and Blue Ridge Humane, Pets Global has ensured that pet parents everywhere get the essential supplies they need to care for their furry companions.

The wake of these hurricanes has affected entire communities, and for many, pets have remained a constant source of love and comfort. “Our community has opened their hearts, wallets, and working hands to help us,” said Ericka Gamble of the Animal Shelter of Sullivan County, Tennessee (ASOSC). “This area was not prepared for the disaster that hit us. Many people lost everything, but this hurricane affected us all. For some people, their pet is all they have left.”

Pets Global understands the deep bond between pet owners and their animals, even more so during trying times. That’s why the company knew they needed to help. The sixty tons of pet food they provided included a variety of products for both dogs and cats, from kibble to wet canned food, and even treats. These came from some of their most trusted and limited-ingredient brands, including Zignature, Fussie Cat, Inception, and Essence.

A Giant Effort, From Coast to Coast and Across State Lines

The effort to distribute this food to the communities in need was no small task and required a coordinated effort between over 30 individuals across seven states. From its headquarters in Southern California, Pets Global worked tirelessly to ensure that these crucial supplies were transported and delivered efficiently.

“I am grateful that we at Pets Global are able to not only assist efforts in Western North Carolina but also the harder-to-reach rural towns in the Tri-Cities,” said Ellie Mosser, Community Relations Specialist at Pets Global and Emory & Henry alum. “We pride ourselves in supporting independent retailers, and assisting in local grassroots efforts is a natural extension of that commitment.”

For the independent, family-owned pet food company, the focus is always on helping people and pets thrive together. By providing relief to pet owners in these disaster-stricken areas, Pets Global is making sure that families can keep their pets safe and well-fed, even when times are tough. The hurricanes might have upended many lives, but the response from organizations like Pets Global has helped restore some normalcy and faith for pets and their parents in the affected regions.

About Pets Global Inc.

Pets Global Inc. is an independent, family-owned, holistic pet health company committed to pets and the people who love them, with a mission to help people help their beloved pets live longer and healthier lives. Founded on a passion for animal welfare, they aim to create the best possible foods and products for our furry companions.

Pets Global’s premium pet nutrition products are known internationally for providing accessible longevity. Learn more about their Zignature, Fussie Cat, Essence, and Inception brands by clicking on the names, or by visiting their main site at https://pets-global.com/.

Images provided by Pets Global Inc.

The post Over 120,000 lbs of Donated Pet Food Delivered to Hurricane-Affected Communities Thanks to Pets Global & Locals by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.