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rendered is solely the opinion of the
writers of Horatio Says and should
not be construed as a legal, medical,
psychiatric, educational, financial,
spiritual or any other type of
authority, other than as a friendly
point of view.
Artesia360 shall be held harmless in
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Horatio suffers from writer's block...
| Grrrrrrrrrrrrrreetings, meow friends... While surfing the internet, I happened upon a purrrrr-fectly delightful site that quickly became a purrrrrrr-sonal favorite that I would like to share with you... for the laughs, for the fun and for the "kittehs" Please click here ----->> and enjoy! Meows & fishes, Horatio |
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Oh, the indignity! I stretch out in the tub where it's cool
once in a while and my people seem to think I wanted them
to lather me up and bathe me! Well, of course, they
should heed my every demand, but how much should a
cat have to endure? It's so hard to find good help!!
Oh, the indignity! I stretch out in the tub where it's cool
once in a while and my people seem to think I wanted them
to lather me up and bathe me! Well, of course, they
should heed my every demand, but how much should a
cat have to endure? It's so hard to find good help!!
10 HUMAN HABITS THAT DRIVE CATS CRAZY
===========================================
By Arden Moore
You think you've done everything right until you get the
look: that "do-you-mind?" glare of disbelief and disgust
from your cat. Without uttering a single meow, your cat can
comment eloquently on your violation of feline etiquette.
Cats are candid creatures. They don't mask their feelings.
They don't shrug off mistakes. With luck, they grudgingly
tolerate your faux pas. My tabby trio ÷ Little Guy, Callie and
Murphy ÷ have patience with me, knowing I lack their keen
senses of sight, smell and hearing and their ability to
decipher body language. After all, I'm only human.
For help in building a better bond with our cats, we
consulted John C. Wright, Ph.D., a certified applied-animal
behaviorist from Macon, Ga.; Amelia Kinkade, a
professional animal communicator from North Hollywood,
Calif.; and Tracy McFarland, DVM, a Santa Clarita, Calif.,
veterinarian who operates www.catdoctor.com. Here is our
list of cat complaints and what we can do to keep the
peace.
Blaring music
Your cat naps peacefully on the sofa until you slip a
Fabulous Thunderbirds CD into your stereo and crank up
the volume. Yowl' Your cat heads skyward, lands harshly
and then dashes to the opposite end of your home. "Cats
definitely have a legitimate gripe against loud music,
especially heavy metal music," McFarland says. "To a cat,
everyday household sounds are magnified. A pot that falls
on the kitchen floor sounds like the world falling apart to
them." Feline ears are much more sensitive than human
ears. They have more hair-cell receptors and their
cone-shaped cars capture more sounds.
Solution: Pump down the volume. Make your teenager
wear headphones. Opt for classical or jazz radio stations or
CDs. Cats seem to like these musical styles best, perhaps
because they are rhythmical and don't pack surprise beats.
Cats tell Kinkade they don't need the radio on when their
owners leave the house, says the author of Straight From
The Horse's Mouth: How To Talk To Animals and Get
Answers (Crown Books). "The constant noise from
commercials drive cats nuts."
Tossing and turning in bed.
Nobody likes having their sleep interrupted, especially cats.
Sleep is the favorite pastime of cats, who spend two-thirds
of their day dozing. When restless humans cause
commotion by shifting feet or flipping from one body
position to another under the sheets, it's like someone
jarring you awake by jumping up and down on your
mattress. No wonder your cat reacts by toe pouncing or
biting.
"Cats instinctively want to attack things that move ÷ like
feet under the bedspread," McFarland says. "I've
discovered that girl kitties are much more fussy about
bedtime rules. Boy kitties tend to be more easygoing and
tolerant. If you move too much at bedtime, most cats will
just give up on you and find another place to sleep."
Solution: Sleep on your back and don't move a muscle. Or,
more realistically, provide a cat bed in your bedroom or
leave your door open for them to leave. If necessary,
protect your toes by wearing thick socks.
Yelling and raising your voice.
The human equivalent of catfights greatly annoy our feline
friends. They don't tolerate spousal spats or loud parental
lectures. Cats feel the need to flee and will often seek a
quiet sanctuary, such as under your bed, says Wright,
author of Ain't Misbehavin' (Rodale). "When you fight with a
teenager or a spouse, cats typically are not sure what's
going on," Wright explains. "They go from first being alert,
to being interested and then to being terrified. Cats love
ritualistic activities, set routines. They usually don't know
how to deal with an upset in routine, like their people
yelling. The loud voices often freak them out and cause
them to dart out of the room."
Solution: Solve problems in a civil tone, rather than yelling
and finger-pointing. If necessary, enroll in an anger
management class to benefit all household members.
Super-stressed humans.
Cats are four-footed mood barometers. They know when
we're happy, sad, angry or bummed without us saying a
word. "Cats read our body languages so well," Wright says.
"When we're stressed, our muscles tend to be tight; our
posture rigid and our pupils dilated ÷ not inviting signs to a
cat."
Solution: Recognize that you can't totally control your life
and, more importantly, remember to savor positive
moments and events. "I encourage my clients to come
home from work and spend a few minutes with their cats,"
McFarland says. "Spend quality time talking with your pets
every night and think of good things that happened that
day that you can share with your animals. They may not
understand your words, but they do understand your tone.
This activity can help reduce your stress."
Cats absorb anxiety from their owners, Kinkade says:
"People are like cups and cats are like sponges. When our
emotional debris fills up and over, our pets soak it up and
get sick. Leave your problems at the office. Try to make
your home a sacred space with music, incense or candles."
Dirty litter boxes.
Picture your home without a clean bathroom. You must
resort to a pungent port-a-potty on a humid day. You hope
you have the lung capacity to hold your breath and
complete your deed before you need to inhale. Disgusting,
right? Cats belonging to delinquent litter-box scoopers feel
the same way.
"A dirty litter box is a major pet peeve for cats," McFarland
says. "They deserve a box that is scooped every day ÷
and more than one box if there is more than one cat in the
household."
Solution: Win over your cat by actually cleaning the box
once or twice daily and re-filling it with clean litter once a
week.
Tardy Feedings.
Your alarm clock blares at 6 a.m. Five minutes tick by and
you have yet to feed your tail-thumping, impatient cat. Ten
more minutes elapse. Another 15 and you still haven't
made a move toward the cat bowl.
"Cats are creatures of routine, and meal time is one of the
high points of their day," McFarland says. "If you get up
and immediately feed your cat every morning, she gets into
a routine and starts to expect to be fed within minutes of
your waking up. When you miss the feeding schedule or
delay it, you can have one really upset cat."
Solution: Try to stick to a regular feeding schedule you can
realistically maintain. For those times when you can't be
home to open and serve some canned food, consider
getting a timer dish that keeps the canned food chilled and
ready for on-time servings. Or, enlist the help of a friend,
relative or pet sitter to step in as surrogate chef for your
hungry cat.
Carrier, car, clinic.
These represent the Three C's of concern. Pull out a
carrier for your annual veterinary visit and ÷ poof! ÷ your
cat becomes a fleet-footed Houdini. Cars represent a major
disruption for homebody housecats. The final insult: being
poked and prodded by a stranger in a place filled with
yapping dogs and hissing cats.
Solution: Turn the carrier from a torment to a treat. Select
a model that is truly the cat's meow ÷ cushy and well
ventilated, with a comfy towel or bedding inside, and large
enough for your cat to rest comfortably. Leave it out and
open in your house so your cat views it as "no big deal."
Tune the car radio to a jazz or blues station at a low
volume. Avoid sudden stops, Wright says.
"If you have two cats that are buddies, consider taking both
to the veterinary clinic," Kinkade suggests. "The one that
doesn't need medical attention can provide emotional
support to the one that does needs shots or a physical
exam. Also, keep your mind on happy homecoming
thoughts and reward your cat when you return home with a
treat like tuna or salmon."
Ill-mannered children.
Children, especially those under 10, seem determined to
lunge at, loom over and force bear hugs on cats. Every
time the cat walks by, they want to grab, pat, play dress-up
or give chase.
Solution: "Your cat needs an escape route and a safe zone
inaccessible by a young child," Wright says. "Once your
child is old enough to learn and understand household
rules, teach them how to behave around the family cat. Say
things like, 'Do allow the cat to come to you so you can
play with it' and 'Don't disturb the cat when sleeping or
eating.' "
Adopting another cat or a dog.
It's truly a cat's life ÷ until the day you come home cradling
another cat or kitten ÷ or worse, a dog. The notion of
sharing the home with another pet is enough to upset
many cats.
Solution: "I tell the current household pet that I'm bringing
in the new animal for them and it is his or her job to be kind
and teach the newcomer our house rules," Kinkade says.
"What you are doing is helping the resident cat feel more in
control and not feel like they have just been hijacked. Cats
like the role of responsibility. They don't feel as
threatened."
Let the two animals get to know each other initially by
smell, Wright says. Keep them in separate rooms and run a
shirt or towel over both coats to exchange scents. Then, let
them view one another from a distance. Cats are territorial,
so make sure the new pet has its own possessions ÷ do
not force them to share a bowl, toys or litter boxes.
Forced affection.
I'm guilty of committing this major cat sin. After a business
trip, I burst through the door, chase down my cats and want
to engage them in a big group hug. No surprise that all
three dart in three different directions. Once I calm down
and sit on the sofa, all three slowly approach and greet me
on their own terms.
Solution: "The more you try to force affection on your cats,
the less they want to give you," McFarland says. "Being
overly affectionate can actually drive your cats from you.
Play hard to get ÷ in other words, act more like a cat,
pretend not to care ÷ and your cats will seek you out for
attention and affection."
(Arden Moore is a columnist for Cat Fancy and Prevention
Magazine.
===========================================
By Arden Moore
You think you've done everything right until you get the
look: that "do-you-mind?" glare of disbelief and disgust
from your cat. Without uttering a single meow, your cat can
comment eloquently on your violation of feline etiquette.
Cats are candid creatures. They don't mask their feelings.
They don't shrug off mistakes. With luck, they grudgingly
tolerate your faux pas. My tabby trio ÷ Little Guy, Callie and
Murphy ÷ have patience with me, knowing I lack their keen
senses of sight, smell and hearing and their ability to
decipher body language. After all, I'm only human.
For help in building a better bond with our cats, we
consulted John C. Wright, Ph.D., a certified applied-animal
behaviorist from Macon, Ga.; Amelia Kinkade, a
professional animal communicator from North Hollywood,
Calif.; and Tracy McFarland, DVM, a Santa Clarita, Calif.,
veterinarian who operates www.catdoctor.com. Here is our
list of cat complaints and what we can do to keep the
peace.
Blaring music
Your cat naps peacefully on the sofa until you slip a
Fabulous Thunderbirds CD into your stereo and crank up
the volume. Yowl' Your cat heads skyward, lands harshly
and then dashes to the opposite end of your home. "Cats
definitely have a legitimate gripe against loud music,
especially heavy metal music," McFarland says. "To a cat,
everyday household sounds are magnified. A pot that falls
on the kitchen floor sounds like the world falling apart to
them." Feline ears are much more sensitive than human
ears. They have more hair-cell receptors and their
cone-shaped cars capture more sounds.
Solution: Pump down the volume. Make your teenager
wear headphones. Opt for classical or jazz radio stations or
CDs. Cats seem to like these musical styles best, perhaps
because they are rhythmical and don't pack surprise beats.
Cats tell Kinkade they don't need the radio on when their
owners leave the house, says the author of Straight From
The Horse's Mouth: How To Talk To Animals and Get
Answers (Crown Books). "The constant noise from
commercials drive cats nuts."
Tossing and turning in bed.
Nobody likes having their sleep interrupted, especially cats.
Sleep is the favorite pastime of cats, who spend two-thirds
of their day dozing. When restless humans cause
commotion by shifting feet or flipping from one body
position to another under the sheets, it's like someone
jarring you awake by jumping up and down on your
mattress. No wonder your cat reacts by toe pouncing or
biting.
"Cats instinctively want to attack things that move ÷ like
feet under the bedspread," McFarland says. "I've
discovered that girl kitties are much more fussy about
bedtime rules. Boy kitties tend to be more easygoing and
tolerant. If you move too much at bedtime, most cats will
just give up on you and find another place to sleep."
Solution: Sleep on your back and don't move a muscle. Or,
more realistically, provide a cat bed in your bedroom or
leave your door open for them to leave. If necessary,
protect your toes by wearing thick socks.
Yelling and raising your voice.
The human equivalent of catfights greatly annoy our feline
friends. They don't tolerate spousal spats or loud parental
lectures. Cats feel the need to flee and will often seek a
quiet sanctuary, such as under your bed, says Wright,
author of Ain't Misbehavin' (Rodale). "When you fight with a
teenager or a spouse, cats typically are not sure what's
going on," Wright explains. "They go from first being alert,
to being interested and then to being terrified. Cats love
ritualistic activities, set routines. They usually don't know
how to deal with an upset in routine, like their people
yelling. The loud voices often freak them out and cause
them to dart out of the room."
Solution: Solve problems in a civil tone, rather than yelling
and finger-pointing. If necessary, enroll in an anger
management class to benefit all household members.
Super-stressed humans.
Cats are four-footed mood barometers. They know when
we're happy, sad, angry or bummed without us saying a
word. "Cats read our body languages so well," Wright says.
"When we're stressed, our muscles tend to be tight; our
posture rigid and our pupils dilated ÷ not inviting signs to a
cat."
Solution: Recognize that you can't totally control your life
and, more importantly, remember to savor positive
moments and events. "I encourage my clients to come
home from work and spend a few minutes with their cats,"
McFarland says. "Spend quality time talking with your pets
every night and think of good things that happened that
day that you can share with your animals. They may not
understand your words, but they do understand your tone.
This activity can help reduce your stress."
Cats absorb anxiety from their owners, Kinkade says:
"People are like cups and cats are like sponges. When our
emotional debris fills up and over, our pets soak it up and
get sick. Leave your problems at the office. Try to make
your home a sacred space with music, incense or candles."
Dirty litter boxes.
Picture your home without a clean bathroom. You must
resort to a pungent port-a-potty on a humid day. You hope
you have the lung capacity to hold your breath and
complete your deed before you need to inhale. Disgusting,
right? Cats belonging to delinquent litter-box scoopers feel
the same way.
"A dirty litter box is a major pet peeve for cats," McFarland
says. "They deserve a box that is scooped every day ÷
and more than one box if there is more than one cat in the
household."
Solution: Win over your cat by actually cleaning the box
once or twice daily and re-filling it with clean litter once a
week.
Tardy Feedings.
Your alarm clock blares at 6 a.m. Five minutes tick by and
you have yet to feed your tail-thumping, impatient cat. Ten
more minutes elapse. Another 15 and you still haven't
made a move toward the cat bowl.
"Cats are creatures of routine, and meal time is one of the
high points of their day," McFarland says. "If you get up
and immediately feed your cat every morning, she gets into
a routine and starts to expect to be fed within minutes of
your waking up. When you miss the feeding schedule or
delay it, you can have one really upset cat."
Solution: Try to stick to a regular feeding schedule you can
realistically maintain. For those times when you can't be
home to open and serve some canned food, consider
getting a timer dish that keeps the canned food chilled and
ready for on-time servings. Or, enlist the help of a friend,
relative or pet sitter to step in as surrogate chef for your
hungry cat.
Carrier, car, clinic.
These represent the Three C's of concern. Pull out a
carrier for your annual veterinary visit and ÷ poof! ÷ your
cat becomes a fleet-footed Houdini. Cars represent a major
disruption for homebody housecats. The final insult: being
poked and prodded by a stranger in a place filled with
yapping dogs and hissing cats.
Solution: Turn the carrier from a torment to a treat. Select
a model that is truly the cat's meow ÷ cushy and well
ventilated, with a comfy towel or bedding inside, and large
enough for your cat to rest comfortably. Leave it out and
open in your house so your cat views it as "no big deal."
Tune the car radio to a jazz or blues station at a low
volume. Avoid sudden stops, Wright says.
"If you have two cats that are buddies, consider taking both
to the veterinary clinic," Kinkade suggests. "The one that
doesn't need medical attention can provide emotional
support to the one that does needs shots or a physical
exam. Also, keep your mind on happy homecoming
thoughts and reward your cat when you return home with a
treat like tuna or salmon."
Ill-mannered children.
Children, especially those under 10, seem determined to
lunge at, loom over and force bear hugs on cats. Every
time the cat walks by, they want to grab, pat, play dress-up
or give chase.
Solution: "Your cat needs an escape route and a safe zone
inaccessible by a young child," Wright says. "Once your
child is old enough to learn and understand household
rules, teach them how to behave around the family cat. Say
things like, 'Do allow the cat to come to you so you can
play with it' and 'Don't disturb the cat when sleeping or
eating.' "
Adopting another cat or a dog.
It's truly a cat's life ÷ until the day you come home cradling
another cat or kitten ÷ or worse, a dog. The notion of
sharing the home with another pet is enough to upset
many cats.
Solution: "I tell the current household pet that I'm bringing
in the new animal for them and it is his or her job to be kind
and teach the newcomer our house rules," Kinkade says.
"What you are doing is helping the resident cat feel more in
control and not feel like they have just been hijacked. Cats
like the role of responsibility. They don't feel as
threatened."
Let the two animals get to know each other initially by
smell, Wright says. Keep them in separate rooms and run a
shirt or towel over both coats to exchange scents. Then, let
them view one another from a distance. Cats are territorial,
so make sure the new pet has its own possessions ÷ do
not force them to share a bowl, toys or litter boxes.
Forced affection.
I'm guilty of committing this major cat sin. After a business
trip, I burst through the door, chase down my cats and want
to engage them in a big group hug. No surprise that all
three dart in three different directions. Once I calm down
and sit on the sofa, all three slowly approach and greet me
on their own terms.
Solution: "The more you try to force affection on your cats,
the less they want to give you," McFarland says. "Being
overly affectionate can actually drive your cats from you.
Play hard to get ÷ in other words, act more like a cat,
pretend not to care ÷ and your cats will seek you out for
attention and affection."
(Arden Moore is a columnist for Cat Fancy and Prevention
Magazine.
Artesia Paws & Claws seeks volunteers, homes
Our Mission: To provide shelter and medical attention
to lost, abused, and homeless animals; to promote
animal welfare through education; to actively
encourage reduction in the pet population; to
advocate animal welfare, animal rescue and
rehabilitation, lost-and-found services, and animal
adoptions; to further promote the bond between
people and animals; to actively work with the state and
local officials to develop improved animal anti-cruelty
laws and their enforcement.
The Artesia Paws & Claws society needs YOUR help.
Do you have skills, time or money to donate? Are you
willing to foster a pet? Would you like to adopt a new
companion?
Contact Paws and Claws • PO Box 807 • Artesia, NM,
88211 or call 575.703.8479 for more info!
Second Chances
ARTESIA - Ever since Artesia Furniture, located at the
corner of S. 4th Street and W. Quay Avenue closed,
the building has been vacant. Now, it has been given
a Second Chance and has been called into service as
resale retail. So the merchandise is getting a Second
Chance, also. And since the proceeds from this
enterprise benefit Paws and Claws Humane Society,
many Artesia pets are given a Second Chance as
well.
Tony Bivens manages Second Chances with a gift for
style and a cheerful smile. Items for sale include
clothing, toys, linens, books, shoes, toys, furniture...
anything, really, that deserves a Second Chance. "We
need donations," says Bivens. "We also need
volunteers."
If you have items that are still serviceable but you no
longer need or want, bring them to the store. Things
that didn't sell at your last garage sale, things you've
upgraded, like small appliances, knick-knacks,
furniture, and clothes you don't wear any more are
welcome! Toys, books, jewelry, artwork, etc.
Tony has a way with display and your extra stuff can
be someone else's newfound treasure. If you have a
few hours a week to fill, spend some time at Second
Chances organizing donations and getting them
shopworthy, learn the retail trade by helping customers
- there are probably a hundred things you could
devote your talents to accomplishing, or learn new
skills. Or if you're just in the market for some bargains
or interesting pieces, come by Second Chances every
Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pets will thank
you. Horatio and Phoebe already do.
Volunteer kind to cats
By Justin Bannister, NMSU
LAS CRUCES - If you’ve ever met Patti Benzie, you
probably noticed she likes cats. And, like many cat
lovers, she keeps pictures of her pets (past and
present) at her desk as the secretary for the
Department of Accounting and Information Systems in
the New Mexico State University College of Business.
She even has a cat pin on her jacket and keeps a toy
stuffed cat within arm’s reach of her chair.
Unlike many animal lovers, Benzie takes her
commitment a step further, volunteering her time with
NMSU’s FCaMP (Feral Cat Management Program.)
FCaMP started in 2002 as a resource to help manage
the cat population on campus – then estimated to be
between 200 and 250. Today the population is
between 110 and 150, thanks in large part to the
efforts of FCaMP volunteers who make sure every cat
on campus is neutered and up-to-date on their shots.
Volunteers also provide food and water for the cats
and make some available for home adoption. FCaMP
is a recognized campus organization, but not funded
by the university. Benzie is one of more than a dozen
volunteers with the group. “Cats have been on
campus forever. And they will always be here, no
matter what anyone does,” Benzie said, noting that
universities across the country have cat colonies. She
attributes some of the cats to students who keep them
as pets and later abandon them. Others might be
strays that find a good food source on campus.
Before FCaMP, the cats were trapped and taken to the
pound where they were euthanized – a strategy Benzie
said wasn’t working because the cat population never
shrank. As part of her work, Benzie manages one of
the several feeding stations around campus. She also
keeps a look out for new cats that may need to be
taken in to be fixed and to have their shots. She said
some of the largest cat populations are around the
NMSU libraries, where they can be seen either in the
early evening or early morning. She said the cats also
come in handy for keeping down the university’s
rodent population.
Gas Chamber banned
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson issued the
following statement Tuesday reaffirming his
commitment to end the use of gas chambers for
animals by June 19, 2009. “I realize there has been
some confusion about the effective date for the new
law banning the use of gas chambers for euthanizing
animals,” Governor Bill Richardson said.
“Let me be clear: that date is June 19, 2009. That is
the clear intent of the bills I signed into law, and it is
the desire of the people of New Mexico.” Governor
Richardson said he is sensitive to the fact that the five
communities that still use gas chambers need time to
transition to the use of lethal injection of animals.
However, the Governor included $100,000 in the state
budget to help with that transition, which can be used
to contract for lethal injection services while employees
are trained.
Recent media reports cite some ambiguity regarding
the interaction of two bills that Governor Richardson
signed into law, both of which relate to the use of lethal
injection as the most humane method of animal
euthanasia.
One bill, HB 265, bans the use of the gas chamber to
euthanize animals effective June 19, 2009. The other,
HB 593, allows up to 180 days after the effective date
of that law for veterinary technicians to become
certified by the Federal Drug Administration to acquire
and administer the drugs necessary to carry out lethal
injection. Governor Richardson emphasized that the
gas chamber ban goes into effect on June 19.
Although veterinary technicians have until Dec. 31 to
become FDA-certified to perform lethal injections, the
ban will still be in effect. During that time period,
communities can contract for lethal injection services.
“I want to thank Majority Leader Ken Martinez, the
Animal Sheltering Services Board and animal
protection groups who worked together on these bills
and continue to advocate for the humane treatment of
animals,” Governor Richardson said.
PHONE NUMBER FOR ANIMAL SHELTER
The Artesia Animal Shelter phone number is
575.746.8860. This number can be called during
normal business hours in reference to attempting to
locate lost cats and dogs and adoptions.
If there is no answer please leave a message.
The number for the Artesia Animal Control Officer is
still 575.746.5000.
This number should be called for functions of the
Animal Control Officer such as dogs at large, vicious
animals or animal bites.
Our Mission: To provide shelter and medical attention
to lost, abused, and homeless animals; to promote
animal welfare through education; to actively
encourage reduction in the pet population; to
advocate animal welfare, animal rescue and
rehabilitation, lost-and-found services, and animal
adoptions; to further promote the bond between
people and animals; to actively work with the state and
local officials to develop improved animal anti-cruelty
laws and their enforcement.
The Artesia Paws & Claws society needs YOUR help.
Do you have skills, time or money to donate? Are you
willing to foster a pet? Would you like to adopt a new
companion?
Contact Paws and Claws • PO Box 807 • Artesia, NM,
88211 or call 575.703.8479 for more info!
Second Chances
ARTESIA - Ever since Artesia Furniture, located at the
corner of S. 4th Street and W. Quay Avenue closed,
the building has been vacant. Now, it has been given
a Second Chance and has been called into service as
resale retail. So the merchandise is getting a Second
Chance, also. And since the proceeds from this
enterprise benefit Paws and Claws Humane Society,
many Artesia pets are given a Second Chance as
well.
Tony Bivens manages Second Chances with a gift for
style and a cheerful smile. Items for sale include
clothing, toys, linens, books, shoes, toys, furniture...
anything, really, that deserves a Second Chance. "We
need donations," says Bivens. "We also need
volunteers."
If you have items that are still serviceable but you no
longer need or want, bring them to the store. Things
that didn't sell at your last garage sale, things you've
upgraded, like small appliances, knick-knacks,
furniture, and clothes you don't wear any more are
welcome! Toys, books, jewelry, artwork, etc.
Tony has a way with display and your extra stuff can
be someone else's newfound treasure. If you have a
few hours a week to fill, spend some time at Second
Chances organizing donations and getting them
shopworthy, learn the retail trade by helping customers
- there are probably a hundred things you could
devote your talents to accomplishing, or learn new
skills. Or if you're just in the market for some bargains
or interesting pieces, come by Second Chances every
Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pets will thank
you. Horatio and Phoebe already do.
Volunteer kind to cats
By Justin Bannister, NMSU
LAS CRUCES - If you’ve ever met Patti Benzie, you
probably noticed she likes cats. And, like many cat
lovers, she keeps pictures of her pets (past and
present) at her desk as the secretary for the
Department of Accounting and Information Systems in
the New Mexico State University College of Business.
She even has a cat pin on her jacket and keeps a toy
stuffed cat within arm’s reach of her chair.
Unlike many animal lovers, Benzie takes her
commitment a step further, volunteering her time with
NMSU’s FCaMP (Feral Cat Management Program.)
FCaMP started in 2002 as a resource to help manage
the cat population on campus – then estimated to be
between 200 and 250. Today the population is
between 110 and 150, thanks in large part to the
efforts of FCaMP volunteers who make sure every cat
on campus is neutered and up-to-date on their shots.
Volunteers also provide food and water for the cats
and make some available for home adoption. FCaMP
is a recognized campus organization, but not funded
by the university. Benzie is one of more than a dozen
volunteers with the group. “Cats have been on
campus forever. And they will always be here, no
matter what anyone does,” Benzie said, noting that
universities across the country have cat colonies. She
attributes some of the cats to students who keep them
as pets and later abandon them. Others might be
strays that find a good food source on campus.
Before FCaMP, the cats were trapped and taken to the
pound where they were euthanized – a strategy Benzie
said wasn’t working because the cat population never
shrank. As part of her work, Benzie manages one of
the several feeding stations around campus. She also
keeps a look out for new cats that may need to be
taken in to be fixed and to have their shots. She said
some of the largest cat populations are around the
NMSU libraries, where they can be seen either in the
early evening or early morning. She said the cats also
come in handy for keeping down the university’s
rodent population.
Gas Chamber banned
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson issued the
following statement Tuesday reaffirming his
commitment to end the use of gas chambers for
animals by June 19, 2009. “I realize there has been
some confusion about the effective date for the new
law banning the use of gas chambers for euthanizing
animals,” Governor Bill Richardson said.
“Let me be clear: that date is June 19, 2009. That is
the clear intent of the bills I signed into law, and it is
the desire of the people of New Mexico.” Governor
Richardson said he is sensitive to the fact that the five
communities that still use gas chambers need time to
transition to the use of lethal injection of animals.
However, the Governor included $100,000 in the state
budget to help with that transition, which can be used
to contract for lethal injection services while employees
are trained.
Recent media reports cite some ambiguity regarding
the interaction of two bills that Governor Richardson
signed into law, both of which relate to the use of lethal
injection as the most humane method of animal
euthanasia.
One bill, HB 265, bans the use of the gas chamber to
euthanize animals effective June 19, 2009. The other,
HB 593, allows up to 180 days after the effective date
of that law for veterinary technicians to become
certified by the Federal Drug Administration to acquire
and administer the drugs necessary to carry out lethal
injection. Governor Richardson emphasized that the
gas chamber ban goes into effect on June 19.
Although veterinary technicians have until Dec. 31 to
become FDA-certified to perform lethal injections, the
ban will still be in effect. During that time period,
communities can contract for lethal injection services.
“I want to thank Majority Leader Ken Martinez, the
Animal Sheltering Services Board and animal
protection groups who worked together on these bills
and continue to advocate for the humane treatment of
animals,” Governor Richardson said.
PHONE NUMBER FOR ANIMAL SHELTER
The Artesia Animal Shelter phone number is
575.746.8860. This number can be called during
normal business hours in reference to attempting to
locate lost cats and dogs and adoptions.
If there is no answer please leave a message.
The number for the Artesia Animal Control Officer is
still 575.746.5000.
This number should be called for functions of the
Animal Control Officer such as dogs at large, vicious
animals or animal bites.