Whisker fatigue is painful!

Me and Ow here. We are guest writers for the week thanks to Watson. It is National Pain Awareness Month, and we would like to introduce our readers to a painful condition known as whisker fatigue.

We know that there will be disbelievers in whisker fatigue, but we are not making this up!

Whiskers are cute, but they are actually high-powered antennae that pull signals into our brain and nervous systems. At the base of our whiskers are proprioceptors that are ultra-sensitive sensory organs.

Proprioceptors tell us a lot about the world. They provide us with information that helps us manipulate the environment. Whiskers allow us move around in the dark to hunt fast-moving prey. They also let us know if we can squeeze into tight spots.

We can turn on the sensory focus of our whiskers when we want, but mostly they respond to our autonomic system, which we have no conscious control over. Try to imagine your brain being flooded with messages every time you contact an object or detect a movement. It is very stressful! Whisker fatigue is a term to describe this stress.

One theory about whisker fatigue is that the whiskers are constantly being stimulated even in the most common situations. Every time our whiskers touch the sides of our food or water bowl we get bombarded with messages, which in turn causes overload.

The Me and Ow method to bring this to our mom’s attention is to push all the food out of our bowl, so we don’t have to put our head into the dish. Fortunately, it worked and we now have flat plates. Instead of a water dish, we lap water from a cat fountain.

Luckily, preventing stress related to whisker fatigue is as easy as replacing your cat’s food and water bowls. Provide wide-enough bowls so that whiskers don't touch the sides and supply a fresh water source for drinking. Problem solved!

XOXO

Me and Ow

LOOKING FOR A HOME

We have kittens to foster! Call 775-423-7500 for details.
Policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under 5 years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.

IN NEED OF
Board members! We are seeking energetic, enthusiastic, community-minded folks to serve on the CAPS board. We meet once a month. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
Help with our failing water system. We are living with mud coming through our pipes. Our volunteers are bringing gallons of water to help our guest survive. Please help us!
Dry cat food and Friskies wet. Dry dog food and Pedigree wet food.
Aluminum cans. If you have, cans to pick up, give us a call (775-423-7500) and we will come get them. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
 
SHOUT OUT TO 
The wonderful lady who has offered to serve as a board member. You are making a difference in our community!
All of the CAPS board members who work to make our organization better. Janis, Diane, Kimmy, Mavas, Leah, Gaby, and Rob. You the heart of our shelter!
All of the faithful volunteers who walk dogs, clean the yard, and show up rain or shine to make sure everything is going smoothly. You deserve a pooch smooch!
 

COME SEE US

CAPS is now open, we suggest appointments for adoptions, SNAPS, and food pantry. We are now accepting volunteers. Call 775-423-7500.

 
DON’T FORGET
September Pet Holiday: Animal Pain Awareness Month
We need new kennel floors. Our GoFundMe link can be found on the CAPS Facebook page.

CONTACT CAPS 
CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Contact me at jkwmil@outlook.com.