FURRY FRIENDS ANIMAL RESCUE QUEENSLAND inc
  • Home
    • About
    • Sponsors
    • Cat Articles
    • Social Media
  • ADOPT US
    • Meet Our Adoptables
    • Adoption Process
    • Adoption Enquiry
    • Success Stories
    • Post Adoption Information Guide
    • Why Desex?
  • Foster For Us
    • Foster Carer Guide
    • Foster a Cat
    • Home Tour Info
    • Safe Cat Transfers During Covid-19
    • Arrival and Quarantine
    • Recommended Products for Foster Carers
    • Cat Nutrition & Food Standards
    • Request Supplies
    • Request a Vet Booking
    • Adoption Process for Foster Carers
  • Donate
    • PayPal Giving Fund
    • Containers for Change
    • GiveNow Donation
    • Wish List
  • Last Litter Program
  • Store Partners
    • Pet Barn
    • Petbarn Store Guide
  • Volunteer
    • Application Form
    • Volunteer Insurance Registration
  • Surrender

Cat Articles

Introducing cats to kids: from parenting to pet-parenting

26/1/2021

 
Picture
For younger families in our community, we know that the worlds between “parent” and “pet parent” can be incredibly similar. From messy livingrooms to unpredictable emotional outbursts - both children and cats require a lot of attention of their own; but how do you combine the two under one roof? For some families, the choice to adopt a pet often creates a great opportunity for parents to teach their young ones about the importance of responsibility. When adopting a new feline friend from a shelter home, the amount of responsibility taken on can be unequivocally amplified. For this reason, we have done some research to help guide our new pet-owners navigate their way to creating a safe and loving household.
​​
 
1. Be sure to discuss your new pet 

For households with younger children, it is important that they understand that this new animal also has thoughts and feelings - and can behave in ways that we do not always understand. Whilst they may already have the basis such as “don’t pull kitty’s tail” down pat, make sure to discuss your new household member.
 
2. Enforce clear boundaries and interactions with your pet

Whether you settle on fun-sized ball of fluff and energy or a mature-aged cat with wise eyes and a softened heart - in some cases our animals have already endured a rocky road to reach the warm embrace of a new home. For this reason, teaching the children how to interact and look after their new friend is pivotal step in the transitioning to their new environment.
 
3. Encourage recognition of pet’s behaviours and traits 
In addition to setting boundaries, this step is important to teach your child how to recognise times where it might be unsafe to approach their pet. Practice speaking about how your pet may be feeling when they respond or behave in certain ways and urge your child to recognise them too. Dependent on your child’s age, this may also be a perfect time to use animal-specific dialect to educate your child about their pet. For example, teaching them about kitty’s “predator” instincts and  
 
4. Ensure plenty of positive reinforcement 
Just as you may when training your new family pet, don’t forget to give praise for gentle and kind interactions with the family pet. By keeping the experience of interaction light and joyful, your child is more likely to develop a more nurturing relationship with the pet.  
 
5. Find a way for the two to create a bond.  
The friendship between a child and a furry friend can be one of the most rewarding experience in both of their lives. According to Batter Sea, a great way to encourage bonding is to practice non-physical forms of interactions such as playing with cat toys or basic training.
 
Most parents will understand the sometimes frightening joy of the uncontrollable and unexpected moments in their daily lives. IWhilst there are certain to be bumps and jumps along the way, what you are most likely to find at the end of the path is unwavering bond between your children - both fur and no-fur. So, what are you waiting for? We have a number of cats just waiting to be snatched up by a new loving family at any time - you can find them here.


Picture from Unsplash.
Written by Gabrielle Bott-Banas for FFRAQ

Should I Adopt an Adult Cat?

22/1/2021

 
​You really want a kitten don’t you? You’re not alone. In 2015, it was discovered that adult cats are less popular among RSPCA adopters compared to kittens. Fortunately, they also 
learned that ‘a similar percentage of cats and kittens … [had been] adopted’ between 2018-2019. It’s a good sign, but it can it always be better. To make sure this happens, here are a few reasons for why you shouldn’t rule out adopting adult cats.  

They’re Excellent Houseguests 

​As adult cats are already fully developed, the likelihood of you having to deal with behavioural problems is reduced. The AWL credits adult cats with ‘understand[ing] how a home works.’ They are highly likely to have already been domesticated, which means they have an easier time adjusting to new surroundings. They will know not to scratch or bite you, your family or your furniture. This means less hand raising for you, and more time cuddling with your new friend on the couch. 
Picture

Low Maintenance Pets

Their adaptable nature means that adult cats are independent animals who value space. While you go about your life, they’ll keep themselves entertained (leaving a toy for them certainly wouldn’t hurt) by sleeping, exploring and even hoarding! After a long day out, come home and you’ll see them watching you from a window. Did Mittens climb up the curtains and tear through them? Of course not! She was laying around, grooming herself and patiently waiting for you to return. ​
Picture

You’ll Be the Hero of Their Story

​From 2019-2020, less than 2500 of the 45,364 cats admitted to the RSPCA had been reclaimed. While animals find themselves in shelters for a number of reasons (being surrendered or abandoned being the most common), many of them are perfectly fine. Perhaps they had wandered too far from home and were taken by rangers? Whatever the case, the main reason for why you should adopt an adult cat is the simplest one of all… you are giving them a second chance at life. 
Picture
So, what are you waiting for? There are many adult cats in need all over Queensland and Brisbane right now, and they are waiting for you. Click through here to adopt a cat today!
Written by Matthew Leong for FFARQ.

    FFARQ News

    Articles, FFARQ news and fundraising events supporting the cause with the claws.

    Join the Furry Friends family today!

    * indicates required

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    Cat Behaviour
    Cat Care
    Cat Health
    Cat History
    Pet Ownership

    RSS Feed

COMPASSION, CARE, COMMITMENT & COMMUNITY

Furry Friends Animal Rescue Queensland thanks its supporters for their ongoing support.
​Privacy policy

Picture
Petbarn
Picture
Registered Charity logo

Subscribe to the Furry Friends Newsletter

* indicates required

© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
    • About
    • Sponsors
    • Cat Articles
    • Social Media
  • ADOPT US
    • Meet Our Adoptables
    • Adoption Process
    • Adoption Enquiry
    • Success Stories
    • Post Adoption Information Guide
    • Why Desex?
  • Foster For Us
    • Foster Carer Guide
    • Foster a Cat
    • Home Tour Info
    • Safe Cat Transfers During Covid-19
    • Arrival and Quarantine
    • Recommended Products for Foster Carers
    • Cat Nutrition & Food Standards
    • Request Supplies
    • Request a Vet Booking
    • Adoption Process for Foster Carers
  • Donate
    • PayPal Giving Fund
    • Containers for Change
    • GiveNow Donation
    • Wish List
  • Last Litter Program
  • Store Partners
    • Pet Barn
    • Petbarn Store Guide
  • Volunteer
    • Application Form
    • Volunteer Insurance Registration
  • Surrender