Getting the scoop on kitty literature
“A home without a cat, and a well-fed, well-petted and properly
revered cat, may be a Perfect Home, perhaps, but how can it prove its
title?”
MARK TWAIN
“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is
the way of a whole human being.”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
The month of June is just about over, and among the many things
that June brings -- besides weddings, graduations and Father’s Day --
is a focus on a worthy cause as the American Humane Assn. sponsors
Adopt-a-Cat Month.
Now if you are one of the ailurophobes (a person who hates or
fears cats) among us, there is no need to read further. But if you
are considering adding a kitten or cat to your household, this is an
excellent time to rescue a furry friend.
When you consider the estimate that more than 70% of the cats who
enter animal shelters are euthanized, adopting a cat is a tremendous
act of kindness.
And if you are an ailurophile (one who agrees with the famous “New
Yorker” cartoon swami that “cats are the meaning of life”), the
library has some wonderful books to help you care for your existing
cat(s) or to help you choose one and bring it into your life.
Humane worker Connie Jankowski has written “Adopting Cats and
Kittens: A Care and Training Guide” to help people find a shelter or
private rescue group and go about adopting just the right cat. She
discusses training, neutering and illnesses, and closes with a
chapter of happy-ending stories of wonderful cats that have been
saved.
“We’re Having a Kitten!: From the Big Decision Through the Crucial
First Year,” by Eric Swanson, is an informative book on the pros and
cons and responsibilities of pet ownership, and the joys derived from
selecting the right breed and temperament for your home.
Once you have your sleek Abyssinian or fluffy Persian or lovable
alley cat, there are numerous books to help throughout the lifetime
spent with your beloved feline. “Essential Cat,” by Caroline Davis,
and “The Cat Fanciers’ Association Complete Cat Book,” by Mordecai
Siegal, both emphasize the vast variety of cat breeds to choose from,
as well as the proper care and environment that should be provided.
“The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat
Care,” by Wendy Christensen, is a comprehensive guide to cat care,
covering nutrition, training, grooming, illnesses, first aid and
aging. Naturally, the Humane Society stresses the joys of making life
better for the needy cats of the world.
The Dorling-Kindersley publication, “Cat Owner’s Manual,” by Dr.
Bruce Fogle is outstanding, not only for its publisher’s trademark
photography, but for Dr. Fogle’s excellent and practical advice on
cat care.
Some cat books are even more specialized. “Natural Cat Care,” also
by Dr. Fogle, offers an alternative look at cat health care from a
preventive standpoint.
“Wild Discovery Guide to Your Cat: Understanding and Caring for
the Tiger Within,” by Dr. Margaret Lewis, is a guide to comprehending
the behavior of the tiny tiger in your house. It is a vastly
entertaining, as well as educational, book.
And then there is “Cat vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More
Than One Cat,” by Pam Johnson-Bennett, which examines cat behavior in
terms of communication and sociability. It’s a very useful guide to
introducing a new cat into a home that already has one, or more, and
explains how to avoid what she calls a “kitty apocalypse.”
CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public
Library. This week’s column is by Sara Barnicle. All titles may be
reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at
https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information on the
Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport
Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.
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