News Briefs for the Week of December 2, 2002
By Marcella Durand for Cat Facts
- California Bill Addresses Danger of Antifreeze
Thanks to a new bill that has passed the California legislature and is currently awaiting approval by the governor, antifreeze poisoning of companion animals and wildlife may become a thing of the past. Sponsored by California Assembly members Joe Simitian and Wilma Chan, the bill requires that any antifreeze made and sold in California after July 1, 2003, include a bittering agent, making it unpalatable to cats and dogs who would be otherwise lured by its deceptively sweet taste. Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and the American Humane Association are asking people to urge California Governor Gray Davis to support the bill.
Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include depression, lack of coordination, vomiting and seizures-your cat may appear "drunk" after ingesting antifreeze, which can easily happen if she lapped some water out of a curbside puddle contaminated with leaked antifreeze. If you suspect that your cat has antifreeze poisoning, call your veterinarian immediately -- in the case of antifreeze poisoning, any delay will be lethal.
- How to Prepare for Emergencies
With some help from Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has kicked off a new Emergency Pet Preparedness public education campaign. Being unprepared for an emergency is not just dangerous for companion animals, but for humans, too. "People are not going to leave their homes if they have a pet there," says Stephen Musso, the senior vice president and chief of operations for the ASPCA. So if they don't have a plan for themselves and their pets, they often stay behind and place themselves in danger.
According to Musso, cats can be especially vulnerable in an emergency. "A dog doesn't have the flexibility of a cat about where they're going to [hide]," he says. "Cats are vertical--they'll get into any high-rise area to get away from a scary noise, so it's a big deal to try to capture them."
Musso remembers what it was like to recapture cats in the terrible days after September 11, 2001. "The first thing the firemen did was look for human life -- they knocked down doors and never shut them again. We had to set traps in buildings." In fact, he says cats were even found on roofs.
Musso advises providing your cat with proper identification, such as a microchip, and taking photographs from several angles, so that shelter or rescue workers can easily locate your kitty for you. He also recommends making friends with a neighbor who's willing to feed and water your cat if you're unable to get home after an emergency, and also to find a pet-friendly place where you and your cat can stay if your home is inaccessible.
To learn more and to get a free sticker that you can put on your door to let firefighters know if any animals are inside, log on to www.aspca.org or call the ASPCA at (212) 876-7700.
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