#and thankfully we specialize with aging and disabled cats

[hungee-boy]

anyway watch urban rescue ranch and actually listen to what ben christie is saying when he rants about people keeping wild animals as pets

[specialneedspets]

Should You Adopt a Special Needs Cat?

Any pet adoption is a significant choice, but caring for a cat with special needs requires even more dedication. Cats with disabilities, whether they have neurological disorders, blindness, or deafness, need special attention and care. But at the end of the day, special needs cats are just regular cats, wanting a home where they can receive some attention.

According to Heather Payer-Smith, president of The Cat’s Meow Rescue, “Special needs animals don’t know there is anything different about them and can add so much joy and laughter to a home, sometimes because of how amazing they can be and the things they can still do despite their special needs.” “That feeling can be priceless, knowing that you and your family are providing a wonderful life and loving home to a cat that might not have otherwise been considered.”

Do you intend to adopt a cat with special needs? Find out all you need to know about these amazing cats and the best reasons to adopt one.

Which disabilities are most prevalent in cats? In addition to neurological problems, visual and auditory impairments are common in cats. Special needs cats, however, can have anything from simple medical conditions requiring daily medication to more complicated conditions limiting their mobility. The following are a handful of the more typical feline disabilities:

Deafness in cats Cats may have hearing loss later in life as a result of disease or trauma, or they may be born deaf. Most cats adjust to their loss of hearing rather well, making use of their other senses to partially offset their deafness. Because cats can navigate the world so well without this sense, in certain cases it can even be difficult to determine whether they are deaf or hard of hearing.

Cats that are blind Like deafness, blindness in cats can be inherited or the consequence of injury, aging, or diseases like retinal disease. One or both eyes may be affected by partial or total vision problems. Blind cats rely on their other senses to help them adapt, just like cats with hearing impairments do. Smell and hearing are two of these senses that cats have far greater capacity for than humans do.

Cats with cerebellar hypoplasia Even though you may not be familiar with the term, you have probably seen cats or kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia on social media, or perhaps you have special needs cats. Often referred to as “wobbly cat syndrome,” this developmental disorder impedes the cerebellum—the area of the brain responsible for fine motor skills, balance, and coordination—from developing normally. Cats with cerebellar hypoplasia typically show symptoms by the time they are 10 months old and can be mild, moderate, or severe. In more severe cases, the symptoms may include tremors, shaky walking, or even the complete incapacity to walk. Thankfully, this illness doesn’t cause pain or shorten the cat’s life.

Considerations before bringing a special needs cat into your home Providing a litter box, food, and water is not always enough to take care of a cat with special needs; adopting one is a long-term commitment. Before adopting a special needs cat, it’s crucial to fully understand what your potential new pet will require. Many cats with disabilities require more time, attention, and care.

“What degree of special needs are you open to considering, and what special needs and/or behavior or medical issues do you feel you can accommodate and accept?” is one of the first questions we ask when someone expresses interest in adopting a special needs cat.

What kind of requirements is the cat specializing in? The term “special needs” is very broad and can refer to a wide range of problems and circumstances. If you choose to look for special needs cats for adoption, be sure you are aware of all the requirements for their care and how you can provide the best possible life for them.

What kind of attention is needed for a cat with special needs? A special needs cat will need more care than a cat without a disability, depending on their disability. It’s possible that your special needs cat will require more frequent trips to the vet, daily medication administration, frequent bathing, or help with urination and defecation.

To ensure your cat’s safety and facilitate their mobility, you might also need to make modifications to your house, like installing safety gates on stairwells. For instance, cats who have trouble moving around might need their food, water, and litter box to be close by so they can use them easily. To make sure you and your space are ready to accept a special needs cat, many rescues and shelters might ask for an adoption home visit.

Will the cat require more expensive medication or trips to the vet? Numerous felines with exceptional requirements may require more than one annual visit to the veterinarian and may even require daily medication. Make sure you have the money to cover this additional care before browsing through internet ads for adopted disabled cats.

Do you have the means to give the cat the care it needs? In addition to more frequent trips to the vet and medication, a special needs cat might require additional space in your home, such as a dedicated area. You should think about whether you have the financial stability and security necessary to care for a cat with a disability because these requirements can quickly empty your bank account.

When adopting a cat with special needs, what other factors should you take into account? Examine the needs of the special needs cat and whether adopting them will fit into your lifestyle before deciding to adopt:

Certain cats with special needs might need a peaceful and quiet home setting, so they might have to be the only pet there or they shouldn’t be near young children or a lot of noise.

It’s critical to have a seasoned pet sitter available when you can’t be there to offer specific services like medication administration or overnight care.

Top causes for adopting a cat with special needs Special needs cats can be just as loving and sociable as their non-disabled counterparts, if not more so at times, and they are just as deserving of love as any other animal. The adoption of a cat with special needs has several advantages:

You can save a life and provide the rescue with more room and resources by adopting a special needs cat.

Because of their unique characteristics, special needs animals are frequently disregarded and have a lower adoption rate. You might be the one to provide them with a loving home at last.

Because special needs cats are resilient and overcome adversity, they can serve as an inspiration to you as you tackle your own obstacles in life.

A lot of special needs cats develop particularly close relationships with their caregivers.

According to Payer-Smith, “we think that with special needs cats, the’special’ frequently outweighs the ‘need.'” “Cats with special needs possess the same affection, playfulness, vitality, and love as any other cat. Seeing a cat who may face some obstacles along the way grow, learn, and experience new things is satisfying.

What possible difficulties can adopting a cat with special needs present? Adopting a special needs cat means committing to provide lifelong care for the animal, just like with any other pet. A cat with a disability will require even more time and financial investment. It’s possible that your cat needs a certain food or diet, as well as a weekly bath. Organizing time for daily medication and routine veterinary visits can be another difficulty for cats with special needs. It’s critical to comprehend these possible difficulties prior to choosing to adopt a disabled cat.

It can be difficult to arrange for someone reliable to pet-sit or give medicine when needed if your cat needs it twice a day at regular intervals, according to Payer-Smith. “Although striking the correct balance can occasionally seem impossible, it’s crucial for the cat’s wellbeing and can help make their care requirements more manageable.”

Where can kitties with special needs be adopted? Special needs cats are taken care of and placed in homes by shelters and rescues across the United States and other countries. There might even be cats in your neighborhood shelter with disabilities who are in dire need of adoptive families.

According to Payer-Smith, “online adoption sites like AdoptaPet.com can help with the search for special needs pets.” “However, the best place to start would be by getting in touch with your neighborhood shelter to find out which special needs rescues they assist and can suggest for adoptions in the area.” Learn More: https://specialpets.org/

[ladybirdanimalsanctuary]

Available for adoption: Honey! STATUS: Adoptable AGE AT ARRIVAL: Approximately 2-3 years old ARRIVAL DATE: June 9th, 2019 BREED: Husky mix GENDER: Spayed Female ADOPTION FEE: $300 NOTES: Honey (and several other dogs) were surrendered to Hamilton Animal Services when their owner could no longer look after them. Honey gave birth on June 2nd at HAS. Thankfully we found a foster home for the wee family, and we rescued them from HAS a week later. Honey and her foster family did a fantastic job raising the puppies, Rosebud, Clover, Buttercup, Pansy and Poppy, and they’ve all since been adopted. Now it’s Honey’s turn! Honey is a sweet and gentle girl. As you can see in the photos, she has a deformed front leg, but it doesn’t slow her down at all. Honey has some challenges that will require her forever home to be a special place. A secure and fully fenced yard is a must, because despite her disability, Honey is an expert at jumping fences, and finding escape routes. Honey must be kept on the strict hypoallergenic diet she is currently on. She becomes very ill if other food or treats are given to her. Honey is friendly with the dogs and cats in her foster home, but can be leash aggressive with other dogs outside of the home. A home with no small children would be best for her, and Honey’s new people should be home a lot of the time, as she has serious separation anxiety. Honey has already started working with Holly from @trueinstinctsdogtraining and we are offering two complimentary, in-home training sessions with Holly to help Honey with the transition into her forever home. Please adopt Honey! Visit our website for more info and to apply to adopt: ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com First two 📸 by @willowbeanphotography . . #ladybirdanimalsanctuary #lookwhatlovecando #hamont #hamilton #animalrescue #rescue #rescued #rescueddogs #adoptdontshop #dontshopadopt #fosteringsaveslives #dog #dogs #dogsofinstagram #rescuedogs #rescuedogsofinstagram #mamadog #cute #adoptable #availableforadoption #adoptme #husky #huskymix #honey https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KFU9-F-76/?igshid=1sjlbpqnq3dd4

[anyaweinstein-blog]

Infancy (age 0-1)

The first months of Tommy’s life have been full of great achievements. Tommy has proven himself to be a very active baby, crawling around our house and exploring everything. He also loved putting everything in his mouth, which would be funny if I wasn’t terrified that he would choke on something. He stood up and took his first steps when at 9 months, marking one of the happiest moments of my life. He has also become fascinated with animals. We have a dog, Duke, and two cats Stormy and Stretch, who Tommy now absolutely adores. These bonds warm my heart. Parenting as a single mother can be very exhausting, as Tommy will often wake me during the night crying and screaming for food, a clean diaper, or simply some affection. Thankfully, all of these events are developmentally appropriate for a baby of Tommy’s age. However, one issue that I have seen is that he is very closed off towards others. For example, when my sister picked her up one time, she threw a fit, crying and screaming. The doctor has told me that these may be early signs of mild autism. I’ve learned that although autism has no cure, there are many things I can do to help Tommy. There are a variety of medications and alternative treatments I can try, as well as parenting techniques I can utilize to help him. For example, an article I read explained that parents of autistic children must find a balance between aggressive over-parenting and hands-off parenting, where there is too little parental interference. Also, being a single parent, I need to find childcare, so I am considering hiring a nanny who also has skills as a special needs aid.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/autism-learning-disabilities/helping-your-child-with-autism-thrive.htm/

https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/children-with-autism-coping-skills-for-parents#1

https://www.verywellhealth.com/parenting-styles-that-dont-work-with-an-autistic-child-259958