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.