Pig News

This week's Pets of the Week at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter this week are Jack and Sally, two playful, friendly kittens brought to the shelter at the start of October. Tragically, their mother had been hit by a car a few weeks before, but a kind neighbor discovered the situation and got the young kittens indoors to safety. They did their best to care for them for two weeks, but it was hard to manage 2 timid, somewhat sickly kittens with 2 curious human toddlers...

Since coming to the shelter, Jack and Sally have grown to be healthy and strong, they've had all their vaccines and have been neutered and spayed, and, most important, they're much more comfortable being around people. They enjoy petting and snuggling as well as active play with wand and bat-around toys, and love to wrestle and chase one another, then cuddle together for a nice nap!

Jack is all black with just a touch of white on his throat, and he's slightly more out-going. Suzy has some adorable little white patches tucked away on her chest and tummy and she tends to be slightly more reserved than Jack. Once she sees Jack getting pets, though, she hurries over to see if there's more attention to go around!

The shelter often recommends that kittens like these be adopted in pairs, if possible, because having a built-in playmate is both helpful and very entertaining for adopters and their families, especially as kittens head into their very active "teenager phase!" To help with this, a single adoption fee is all the shelter asks when you adopt a bonded pair of kittens. The shelter also strongly recommend that cats be kept indoors to prevent tragedies like what happened to their mom...

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Thurs., Oct., 29th 4-5:30 pm
  Yappy Hour for dogs at the Museum of Art History's Kincentricity Garden
• Fri., Oct. 30th 10am-1pm
  Healthy Pets For All vaccine clinic for low-income pet owners at Franich Park in Watsonville
• Friday, Oct. 30th 4:30-6 pm
  Bedtime Stories for animals at the Santa Cruz Shelter
• Sat., Oct. 31st 2-5 pm
  Tails on Taps - Paint and Sip with artist Suzy Rad at Steel Bonnet Brewery in Scotts Valley

MORE ABOUT BLACK CATS
As for black cats being bad luck? HOGWASH!! Just ask anyone who's ever had a black cat in their lives - they are, like most other pets, wonderful companions who make their people feel lucky every day! More fun facts:

• In Japan, black cats are seen as bringers of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune
• In Scotland, an unfamiliar black cat appearing on your doorstep or porch is a sign of coming prosperity and financial wealth
• In Scotland and Wales, having a black cat in the home is believed to bring good luck and predict good weather.
• In the Midlands and Yorkshire, owning a black cat is considered lucky.
• Giving a black cat as a wedding gift to a British bride is said to bring happiness and good luck to her marriage.
• British and Irish sailors historically kept black cats on ships to ensure safe voyages and calm seas.

For more info, listen to Pet-O-Rama at 11am Thursdays here on the pig or visit the shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz and open from 11am to 6pm every day.

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