Birdie is a beautiful 2-year-old medium-hair Tortoiseshell with incredible green eyes. She is friendly and enjoys people.
Provided to the LVN
Dear reader, I recently wondered why pet dogs come in so many uniquely different shapes, sizes, and colors, while cats look so similar to each other. For instance, Great Danes and Chihuahuas are drastically different from each other in size and shape.
When I investigated the reasons, it all boiled down to how the animal could fulfill specific functions. For instance, humans bred Labrador Retrievers to hunt and retrieve. The Border Collie’s task is to manage sheep and cattle. Because of selective breeding, the gene pool has grown resulting in 400 types of dogs recognized as distinct breeds.
Another factor is domestication; dogs have been with humans for over 19,000 years and during that time, bred to perform specific tasks. We now consider dogs to be completely domesticated. Cats however have only been around humans for 10,000 years and mostly as companions. There are only 40-70 different breeds of cats and they are still considered to be only semi-domesticated.
The reason cats were not bred is that a number of cultures did not accept the practice of selective breeding of cats. In Egyptian culture, cats were associated with many deities including the goddess Bastet, who had the body of a woman and the head of a cat. This probably protected cats from selective breeding and allowed them to evolve naturally.
Expecting cats to fulfill tasks is a tall order because cats have a mind of their own. In fact, most people have cats for companionship. Recently I read about a program in Chicago called Cats at Work. Feral cats that have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated live outside of residences and businesses to deal with the city’s rodent problem.
These cats are animals that would not thrive in a shelter or home. They do not always kill the rodents but their mere presence keeps them away. It is a winning arrangement for everyone. Perhaps this is a first step toward domestication. I have my doubts because dogs have owners but cats have staff.
ATTENTION
If you cannot have a pet, you can still sponsor a kitten or puppy. We need financial assistance for spay/neutering, veterinarian bills, and food. Call 775-423-7500.
Adoption forms are now available online at our website www.capsnevada.org.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have five adorable Dalmatian/mix puppies who are 16 weeks old. Born at CAPS, the puppies are looking for foster homes until adopted. Make Christmas happy for one of our pups. Call 775-423-7500.
IN NEED OF
• Walking buddies for our fabulous canine guests. Do you need to exercise? We are looking for folks who would love to walk, lose weight, and do a good deed at the same time. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Funds toward the new heating system that we recently had to install to replace the ancient boiler. Any amount is helpful.
• Aluminum cans. Please drop them off at CAPS. We are temporarily unable to pick them up.
SHOUT OUT TO
Shane and Genevieve for walking dogs. They came out multiple days when we had no other volunteers and made sure all our guests had a walk. You are Pawsome!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• December Holiday: Celebrate National Cat Lovers Month.
• Board meetings. We meet once a month on the second Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. in room 102 at the County Offices located on Taylor Street. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 14.
• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
• 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.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.