Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, November 5, 2016

11

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 5, 2016 


WHERE YOU AT, 

SCAREDY CAT?

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


Few and far between are the felines I care for that did 
not respond with some semblance of fear the first time 
I entered their home. It’s a classic story told by many 
cat owners, wherein a person with whom the cat is 
unfamiliar, walks through the front door, only to see the 
kitty’s bouncing behind disappear down the hallway, as 
he high-tails it into another room to seek refuge beneath 
a bed or a couch.

 Although there is usually no apparent reason for a 
typically-friendly feline’s fearful response to a stranger, it 
happens quite often. And even though most of the time, 
the individual who just arrived and entered the home is 
indeed a cat lover, they are still a person whom the cat 
has yet to get to know, so the cat assumes there may be 
danger and runs to take cover. Why do cats behave in 
this manner, and how can we humans help them relax 
and enjoy the company of a new-found friend when they 
come calling?

 One reason why a cat might run and hide upon the 
arrival of a stranger, is because he had limited exposure 
to humans other than his owner as a youngster. If a 
kitten is not introduced to a variety of people during his 
socialization stage (3-9 weeks old), he will likely be more 
apprehensive of interacting with strangers as an adult. 
Another reason is that a visit from a human friend is 
often accompanied by increased noises and movement 
during the initial greeting, and from a cat’s perspective 
that might be interpreted as chaos to be avoided at all 
costs.

 There are a few simple techniques that have proven 
to be helpful in preventing a cat from becoming afraid 
of people whom they’ve never met, and as it is with 
most exercises, the more consistently you are willing to 
practice these techniques with your kitty, the better are 
your chances for success.

 First, provide your cat with a “safety-zone” in an 
out-of-the-way location, such as a back room where 
the sound of knocking or a door bell will be muffled. 
Be sure to include a comfortable resting spot, a fresh 
bowl of water and a litter box. Give the cat a special 
treat along with a favorite interactive 
toy when you take him to the safe 
area, just moments before your guest 
arrives. Allow the cat to remain in the 
safe place for the duration of the visit, 
the first few times you have a guest in 
your home.

 Next, try to follow this series 
of behavioral modification steps 
consistently, to help your cat become 
more comfortable around visitors: Ask 
a friend or relative who does not live 
with you to act as a stranger coming to 
visit. As usual, put your cat in the safe 
place just moments before their arrival, then when 
your friend arrives, open the door to the safe area and 
allow the cat to can come out at it‘s own will and in it’s 
own time.

 Once your cat has decided it is safe enough to emerge 
from the back room, have the invited “stranger” stand 
at a distance from where the cat decides is comfortable, 
and reward the cat with a treat and/or a soothing praise 
each time he is willing to get closer to the visitor. The 
goal is to gradually decrease the space between the two, 
by rewarding the cat each time he remains calm and 
allows the newcomer to come closer.

 Take note that the “approaching process” should 
begin from a distance at which your cat shows no signs 
of anxiety or arousal. He should be completely calm 
to start with, and remain calm and confident as your 
friend moves into the cat’s space, eventually coming 
close enough to reach out and pet the cat. Keep your 
voice calm and offer comments of praise along the way.

 Try to avoid excessive movement until the cat 
becomes more comfortable over time. Repeat these 
simple steps as frequently as you possibly can. It may 
take some time for your cat to show progress, but be 
patient and be aware that your efforts are helping to 
improve your cat’s quality of life.

 This process of coaching a cat into becoming more 
familiar with other humans may seem silly to folks 
who are not friends of the feline, but I know there are 
many devoted cat lovers out there who will benefit from 
this bit of information to help make a difference in the 
relationship they have with their cat.

 I hope you do find these tips helpful and I wish you 
all the best success as you work toward socializing 
your kitty cat. Try to understand what is going on 
in the mind of our feline. We humans like to think 
we relate to our pets, so it behooves us to do our best 
to understand their perspective, and work on the 
relationships we have with them. Most importantly, 
as humans we must be kind to the animals, always. 
Don’t forget to love and let live!


Meet SABLE & 
SPENCER! Purr-
fect cuties, these 
two! Age just 
7 weeks, Sable, 
the female, is a 
sweet, fluffy, dark 
tabby, while her 
brother, Spencer, 
is a flamepoint 
Siamese mix. 
Adopt together 
& qualify for our 
special Twofur 
Discount, which includes their kitten vaccines, health 
exam, spay/neuter, & microchips. A great savings! Check 
back for more pictures, coming soon. If you are interested, 
please fill out our online application quickly, as they will 
be very popular!

 Lifeline for Pets is a small no-kill rescue. We show 
some cats most Sunday afternoons at Petsmart, 3347 E. 
Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena, 12:30-3:30. Call to confirm: 
626-797-1753.

 Adoption fee is $100, which includes spay, microchip, 
exam & vaccine. Our cats are negative FELV/FIV unless 
otherwise indicated. 

See more pictures, adoption info & application on our 
website, www.lifelineforpets.org. Sorry, we are not 
accepting cats at this time.

 GOOD NEWS: Mighty Magnus has been adopted!


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

Yancy is a handsome 8 year old bachelor; all dressed 
up wearing his tuxedo, to add a touch of class to any 
home. He was found as a stray on a cold December day 
in 2015. It took him awhile to warm up to community 
living, but he has calmly settled in, waiting for his 
forever family to find him. Yancy is a laid back, gentle 
guy, with a soft purr when he 
is petted. He has golden eyes 
that look wisely out at his 
world and invite visitors to 
stroke and brush his silky fur. 
When his head is massaged, 
he leans in asking for more.

Yancy’s favorite play time 
involves dangling feathery 
toys. As a wise, senior guy, he 
knows he can’t catch the laser 
red dot so he doesn’t bother 
to chase it. He gets along 
well with his companions in 
Meow Manor, so he would 
do fine in a multi-cat family or as a sole companion. 
Please come in and meet him. He will be a calm and 
beautiful addition to the right home. November is 
Adopt a Senior Pet Month! All cats and dogs that are 
6 years and older qualify for this promotion. Yancy’s 
special adoption fee is $39 this month and includes 
neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip and a free 
wellness exam at a participating veterinarian. Feel free 
to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information on 
Yancy. He currently resides at the San Gabriel Valley 
Humane Society located at 
851 E. Grand Avenue in San 
Gabriel which is located off 
San Gabriel Blvd, north of 
Mission and south of Las 
Tunas Drive. To arrange a 
‘Meet and Greet’ with Yancy, 
please stop by any time 
from 10:30am to 4:30pm 
Tuesday through Sunday.
Website:www.sgvhumane.
org

Go to smile.amazon.com and 
find the San Gabriel Valley 
Humane Society and every 
time you buy something 0.5% will be donated to the 
shelter! It’s easy to do and helps the shelter with every 
purchase you make! Let your friends know about this 
simple way to make a difference!


PET OF THE WEEK: LOUIE: ANIMAL ID #A5004562

Louie (A5004562) is a lovable 9-year-old red-
and-white neutered male Chihuahua mix who 
came into the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 
on October 21st as an owner surrender because 
they said they didn’t have 
time for him anymore. 
Weighing 11 lbs, Louie is 
pretty afraid right now, 
since he was just dropped 
off and the noisy shelter is 
so different for him. That 
means he’s going to be a 
bit shy when you see him 
at the shelter, but give him 
some time at home and 
he’ll warm up and love 
you forever. This is such 
a gentle and sweet boy, he 
doesn’t have an aggressive 
bone in his body. His owners said he seemed to 
get along with cats, spent most of his time outside 
(not good), and is house trained. We didn’t walk 
Louie around, since he wanted to be carried 
and safe in one of our volunteer’s arms, so there 
wasn’t a chance to test him on a leash. He is pretty 
disoriented at having been abandoned by his 
family, but he gets along with his kennel mate and 
is so cute and lovable that 
you can’t resist him. This 
boy deserves a loyal and 
loving individual or family 
who will bring him out of 
his shell. Once he’s safe 
and secure he’s going to be 
a perfect, faithful indoor 
pet and family member. 
To watch a video of Louie, 
please visit the following 
link: https://youtu.be/
KecH_FlpHg8

 
For more information 
on this pet, please contact volunteer UHA adoption 
coordinator Meena at 706-504-1810 or meena@
hope4animals.org. Please CALL or EMAIL—do not 
text.


www.mountainviewsnews.com

 Walter Cailleteau, DVM Free Exam!
927 N. Michillinda Ave. For New Clients 
Pasadena, CA 91107 Bring this coupon to save! 
(626) 351-8863
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com