Pets of the Month

Any animal you decide to welcome into your home has its breed characteristics as well as its individual quirks. It is up to parents to lay down the rules for children on how to meet their pet’s needs and respect their boundaries. The adoption process itself can be treated as a learning opportunity. I have watched many parents allow their kids to chase a cat around an adoption space even though the cat is clearly walking away or try to pick a cat up around its belly or pat it on the back roughly rather than petting it gently. If you do not already know, you can educate yourself as to good feline handling practices. According to Safe Play with Kids, slow introductions like sitting quietly on the floor and extending your hand slowly toward it is the best way to get to know a cat. All early interactions – handling and holding – should be supervised and children should be taught the warning signs for when a cat has had enough or is getting over stimulated. In the early days, playing games with a wand rather than hands is probably the best strategy and the kitty should be given places where it can retreat. The litter box and maybe even eating time should be off limits.

If this sounds too regimented, don’t worry. With just a bit of patience and planning, you can give your children a loyal, loving companion, and many good life and learning experiences. Go for it!

About the Author - Alberta Frost a lifelong cat owner and volunteer at King Street Cats.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT KINGSTREETCATS.ORG FOR UPCOMING ADOPTION EVENTS

Professional Pet Sitting Organizations

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Find a Local NAPPS Pet Sitter | The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

Pet Sitters International (PSI) The leading pet-sitter association

Selected Alexandria-area Animal Shelters/Rescues Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304 703-838-4774 alexandriaanimals.org/ Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030 703-830-1100 airfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/

Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 931-9241 www.awla.org

King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199 kingstreetcats.org/

4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

Age is nothing but a number to 11-yearold Louie! This American foxhound mix has a lot of pep in his step, and we mean that literally. Louie loves a good walk, and he’d be happy to accompany his best friend on a sniff-filled adventures for miles. Of course, at the end of a good long hike, he’s ready to curl up on the couch and call it snuggling time; who doesn’t love to scratch his long, silky ears?

Lumine is a bright light in the AWLA Cat Adoptions room. Sociable, outgoing and chatty, she is ready and raring to meet all the new friends that visit her. Lumine is a cool cat who’s looking for an equally chill lifestyle; at 9 years old, she’s much more interested in hanging out with her favorite people than climbing the curtains. If you are looking for a zen kitty who knows the value of friendship, schedule time to meet Lumine by calling 703.746.4774 .

Garnet is an absolute peach of a pig! This charming black and tan guinea pig is a distinctive chap who likes everyone he meets, be they people or pig. At 1 year old, he’s lived with other guinea pigs and would be open to meeting some new male roommates or hanging out on his own with his new human friends; the sky’s the limit with Garnet. Learn more about Garnet and how to meet him at AlexandriaAnimals.org/ Adopt.

Schedule time to meet with any of these amazing adoptables by emailing Adopt@AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703.746.4774 opt. 2.