Help Celebrate National #FeralCatDay On October 16 With Jackson Galaxy

Christina Peden
by Christina Peden
Published:  October 9th, 2014
We can probably all agree on the importance of spaying and neutering our pets, but what about the ones that don’t have a home?


October 16 is National Feral Cat Day, and Animal Planet’s Jackson Galaxy is helping spread the word via a new PSA.


The theme for this year’s Day is TNR: Trap-Neuter-Return, a new way of dealing with feral cats that is reaching the mainstream. To date, there are more than 450 cities and counties across the US with official ordinances endorsing TNR and more than 600 non-profit rescues practicing it.


Alley Cat Allies is a non-profit national advocate for feral cats and the brains behind National Feral Cat Day. This year marks the event’s 14th anniversary, and Galaxy, host of My Cat from Hell, couldn’t be prouder to lend a hand.

“Whether you call them family cats, house cats, feral cats, community cats, alley cats… it doesn’t matter,” says Galaxy in the PSA. “They are our cats, our community cats, and they deserve our love and our protection.”


The PSA drives home the salient message that outdoor cats deserve the same respect and love that we give to our indoor cats.


Alley Cat was the first non-profit to advocate for Trap-Neuter-Return policies in 1990. Even as the practice becomes increasingly common, there are still shelters that don’t participate. Becky Robinson, president and founder of the charity says, “If your local shelter isn’t doing TNR they are behind the times, and you should ask them to adopt the program. It saves lives and tax dollars.”


To raise both awareness and funding for the kitties, Alley Cat Allies is encouraging people who want to support the cause to hold fundraising events on October 16. Supporters are also encouraged to share and follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag


A quick search of the site’s event database shows what look to be hundreds of events spread throughout North America and Europe. You can search for an event to attend in your local area, or create one of your own. You’ve got one week until Feral Cat Day kicks off, so there’s still time!


Click here to see a listing of events in your area and to learn more about Feral Cat Day.


You can also check out the video below to see Jackson Galaxy’s PSA.

WOW
Christina Peden
Christina Peden

Christina Peden is a lifelong animal lover and avid wordsmith. She lives in Toronto with her boyfriend Ryan where they are proud pet parents to puppy, Matilda and cat, Oscar. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying Toronto, Canada's all-too-short patio season, taking advantage of the city's numerous parks or curled up with a good book.

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Are Mutts Healthier than Purebreds? New Study Says NO!

Are mixed-breed dogs really healthier? A new study of more than 27,000 companion dogs discovered that mutts are just as likely to experience health issues as their purebred counterparts. It turns out that a smaller gene pool doesn’t make purebred dogs more prone to common doggy ailments when compared to mixed-breed dogs. The study led by researchers from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences found that while certain purebreds are prone to specific health problems, both purebreds and mixed-breeds are equal in terms of the overall frequency of health condition diagnoses. “There are several well-known diseases that frequently occur in specific dog breeds,” explained Dr. Kate Creevy, chief veterinary officer of the Dog Aging Project and a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. “This has helped perpetuate the misconception that all purebred dogs are more prone to diseases, but that is not the case.”The study, which surveyed a total of 27,541 dogs, identified 25 breeds that made up around 60% of the purebred dog population within the Dog Aging Project. Those breeds include Labrador retriever, golden retriever, German shepherd, poodle, Australian shepherd, dachshund, border collie, Chihuahua, beagle, Pembroke Welsh corgi, boxer, shih tzu, miniature schnauzer, pug, Havanese, cavalier King Charles spaniel, Great Dane, greyhound, Boston terrier, Siberian husky, Shetland sheepdog, English springer spaniel, Australian cattle dog, and Doberman pinscher. Scientists found that within these 25 breeds, 53 medical conditions make up the top owner-reported medical issues. “The medical conditions reported by owners varied considerably,” said Creevy. “However, some conditions appeared frequently in the top 10 reported health conditions by breed.”The 10 health conditions most reported for purebred dogs include dental calculus (hardened plaque), dog bites, extracted teeth, giardia, osteoarthritis, seasonal allergies, ear infections, heart murmur, fractured teeth, and cataracts. For mixed-breed dogs, the top 10 conditions were nearly the same, with cataracts and heart murmur being replaced with torn/broken toenails and chocolate toxicity. Some maladies, such as dental calculus and osteoarthritis appeared roughly the same in purebreds and mutts. However, some conditions were more commonly seen in one than the other. For example, purebreds had more extracted teeth, and dog bites, while mixed-breeds had more ear infections. Out of 53 owner-reported medical conditions, 26 didn’t differ significantly between purebred and mixed-breed dogs. What’s more interesting is that 22.3% of owners of purebred dogs reported their canine companions having no health issues, compared to 20.7% of mixed-breed owners, meaning that purebred dogs were healthier than mixed-breed dogs. The most important finding of this study is that dog breed is just one aspect of pet health to think about when creating a dog care plan, or researching what kind of dog to adopt. “People should consider many factors when choosing a dog, including environment, lifestyle, social interactions and physical activity that will be available to the dog,” said Creevy. “Planning for both preventative care and medical care as the dog ages is also prudent. Dog owners should also talk with their primary care veterinarians about the kinds of medical problems to which their new dog might be particularly prone based on breed, size, sex, etc.” Researchers think that the main reason people believe mixed-breed dogs are healthier than purebreds is because certain breeds of dogs suffer from well-known health problems. For example, German shepherds and Labrador retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, poodles are more likely to get glaucoma, and Great Danes are prone to bloat. The fact that some purebreds are susceptible to breed-specific diseases, while mixed-breeds aren’t has contributed to the myth that purebred dogs are more likely to get sick than their mixed-breed counterparts. We now know that’s not the case thanks to this new study. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can I Fly with My Cat on My Next Vacation?

Are you dreaming of a vacation with your best friend by your side? What if that best friend is a cat? While many airlines allow cats to fly with you, navigating the rules and regulations can be overwhelming.But don’t worry; we’re here to guide you through the process (and minimize your travel-related stress).This post will break down everything you need to know about cat-friendly air travel, from knowing what to pack to deciding if airline travel is even the right choice for your cat – we will cover all the bases. Start planning your next getaway today!What Airlines Let You Fly with Cats? When discussing pet-friendly air travel and the requirements for flying with a pet, most people refer to flying with a dog. But what about cats? Do all dog-friendly airlines also allow feline passengers? Generally speaking, any airline allowing small dogs to fly will also permit cats. This includes (but isn’t limited to): Air CanadaAlaska AirlinesAmerican AirlinesDelta Air Lines Frontier Airlines Hawaiian Airlines JetBlue Airways Southwest AirlinesSpirit AirlinesUnited AirlinesHowever, we always recommend checking with the airline before assuming any flight will be cat-friendly. For example, an airline that allows cats to travel in the cabin on a domestic flight may not when traveling internationally. This may take a little extra effort, but it could help you avoid an unpleasant surprise on the day of your planned vacation! How Much Does It Cost to Fly with a Cat? The fees associated with traveling with a pet vary significantly from airline to airline. Some airlines will charge one set fee for your flight regardless of layovers, while others will charge additional fees if you have a layover that exceeds a set length of time. Always ask for clarification when booking your flights to ensure there are no surprises on travel day. Based on our research, pet fees typically range from $95 to $150 for each leg of the journey. Unlike the others on the list above, Alaska Airlines doesn’t charge per pet. Instead, they charge per carrier and allow up to 2 pets in a single carrier if they fit comfortably. This is great for anyone traveling with two small cats or kittens. Can My Cat Fly with Me in the Cabin? It depends. All the airlines we listed above allow cats to travel on domestic flights in the cabin. The only requirement is that the cat fit comfortably in a carrier that is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you during the flight. While this is a defining statement for dogs, it encompasses all domestic cats. However, this isn’t always true for international travel. Rules when traveling to other countries are often stricter, and your cat could have to fly in cargo. If you’re planning an international trip, contact the airline for clarification.

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