S.H.A.I.D. has always stressed that you should not wait until we think spring has arrived to neuter your cats.  As soon as the days lengthen cats start to reproduce.  Unfortunately, illustrating that fact we have just admitted two mothers with litters. One is a sweet, friendly little gray and white cat with the usual four kittens: four torties and one black and white.  The other Mom is a very pretty, young,  short haired buff girl.  Her kittens are a lovely buff to red.  She has a huge problem.  She appears wild and wild cats are not adoptable.  As a general rule wild cats must be put down.  However, in this situation we have the kittens to think of as well.  We have come to admire the little Mom.  She growls and hisses at us when we approach, but then kisses her babies and curls around to protect them.   The longer things go on the harder the decision becomes.  Is she truly wild or is just unfamiliar with humans and protecting her young.  If I were a cat I certainly would not be fussy about the human species. Funny how we refer to an animal being a “good cat” when what we really mean is that he or she relates well to humans.  In our minds, the term has nothing to do with being an intelligent, well balanced cat. This a good cat.  That is obvious, in my mind, by her loving manner with her young.  However, she may not like people. 

Neutering is the only tangible tool we have to fight over-population.  Kittens and pups can now be spayed or castrated as young as 8 weeks.  Check with your local veterinarians. 

On a happy note, Shaggy is settled in his new home and doing well with his family of four.  His new owner said that when she decided to get a dog she started looking for a female dog: any breed by shepherd.  What she adopt but a male shepherd cross. “ I just looked into those soft brown eyes and we connected.  I loved him.”  There must be a bond between owner and companion animal.  Another reason to give gift certificates for pets rather than presenting an unsuspecting person with the animal themselves.