Get your Priorities right!

Today I was accused of having my priorities all wrong, because I chose to adopt a kitten, and save a life. Instead of going to a silly birthday party that would have been a total of 90 minutes driving time.

Jäger and Sampson,
both adopted through HAART,
 already best friends.

It's the people who judge my priorities, when animals health, well-being and welfare are 100% top of my priorities which stop so many animals from finding a forever home. People like that, are why there is still a large number of cats and dogs still being euthanased because they never find a home.

I'm glad there are those that have their priorities straight, helping to home animals, adopting instead of buying from pet shops, would go one less meal to feed an animal, would go without a party because an innocent animals life is far superior.

It astounds me that people could possibly accuse anybody of having their priorities wrong, in choosing to spend money to adopt a cat, and skip out on a birthday party, which really is just an excuse to drink.

Adopting may not seem like the biggest difference sometimes, but it really is. Adoption of an animal, means that one more cat or dog has the chance to find its forever home.

I hope we can educate those that show no compassion, or at least make a better tomorrow for all the unwanted animals out there needing a home. A loving home.

Ways YOU can help:

• Adopt a cat or dog through an approved organisation, some examples, HAART, SAFE, FOCAS, Cat Haven, Cat Refuges, Dog Refuge Shenton Park, GAP (Greyhounds as Pets), Greyhound Angels of WA, etcetera.
• Foster cats or dogs, birds, or whatever other animal that needs a foster home.
• Donate money, pet food, bedding or supplies to aforementioned organisations.
• Spread the word about the organisations, encourage friends/family to adopt from an approved organisation instead of adopting from a pet shop, where you may inadvertently be supporting puppy farms, and poor breeding conditions.
• Educate people on ways to help, reason for caring, teach children compassion and respect for animals, demonstrate compassion and respect for animals.
• Commit to the decision you make to adopt an animal, if you adopt, it is forever, not just for now. Make sure you think seriously before making the decision to adopt a pet. Pets are for life.

Losing our Pets weight

If you can't maintain your own weight, chances are, you're also struggling with your kitty.

This is an unfortunate reality, but for those wishing to turn their lives around, why not let your kitty join the bandwagon. The average ideal weight for a cat is 4.5kg, however this can vary depending on your individual cat. Consult a veterinarian for a better idea of what weight your cat should be.

I have a male sterilised ginger cat, and when he was just 1 year old, I began to notice that he was gaining weight, and too much! I caught him in the early stages, but for our 5 year old cat, he was already 9kg.

To reduce their weight, I put them onto a special diet. Hills r/d. I used the Hills daily food guidelines, to decide the amount of daily food required. Every week I would weigh the cats at the same time of day, and record the data, to ensure they were indeed losing weight. Although it took a year for it to "fall off them" I succeeded. The key is persistence.

The other important factor is reducing meal sizes and feeding more frequently. My cats would have as much as 6 small meals a day. I also reduced how much canned food they recieved to a "One serve" can of food divided between three cats, once a week. Wet food has 70% water and therefore is of little nutritional value as compared to dry biscuits. I would also monitor intake/outake of water/urine at first, to ensure your cat is still drinking and urinating, so that he or she does not become dehydrated.

The importance of weight loss being slow, is to reduce any risk of disease, as losing weight too quickly is dangerous in cats, especially if they are obese. Do not feed unsafe human foods or any treats, if you wish to treat your cat, a dish of wet food can replace one of the dry food meals you normally feed. Also each individual biscuit can be used as a reward to the cat, as it's just exciting to get something when you wouldn't usually.

Once my cats both reached a healthy weight, whereby I could feel ribs, without them being too prominent (Ask your vets opinion for your own cat), I then changed them onto a low calorie diet, as one of my cats suffers from dental disease, I chose Hills t/d. Hills t/d is a specially designed food, that is large in size, whereby a cat is forced to chew before swallowing, as the cat chews, the biscuit pulls tartar off the teeth. This diet is also low in calories. My cat is now a healthy weight of 4.6kg.

This is the previously 9kg cat, here he is 6.3kg,
 the red line shows his waist curving inward, instead of bulging!

Good luck, and remember, the key is persistence!

Seeking Vet Nurse Positions Finally!

I'll keep this brief.

I've moved twice this year, but all with good purpose. I helped my mother before gaining more independence, and spreading my wings to an area south of the river. Time to leap into a world I have longed for, a job I am most passionate for, where I can wake up smiling, and go home still with enthusiasm for my job.

Yes, I am now looking for a part time or full time position as a veterinary nurse.

That aside, what else has been happening? My Twitter has reached over 100 followers, meaning at least 100 of them are veterinarians, nurses, suppliers, donors or animal enthusiasts. So thankyou to those who follow and support me as a veterinary nurse (stuck in retail for 18 months), at least I am committed to the job.

I've rediscovered all my veterinary nursing books and worksheets, and have begun revising, so I am well prepared to start as a veterinary nurse again.

So why did I move twice? In short, this second move is where I have intended to move for 2 years, and now I am close to a large array of veterinary clinics for all animals great and small.

This is why it's time to go jobhunting again!

I'm already excited, that soon I can practice as a Veterinary Nurse again.

Thankyou to followers, friends and family who support and acknowledge me as a veterinary nurse.