Bats, Black Cats & Halloween

Somehow Halloween went from celebrating so much going on in this time of year to... logos. Certain images just signify Halloween now... pumpkins, witches, bats, spiders & black cats. Not that any of these are in particular scary (Ok we have some big hairy Caribbean spiders that would make your skin crawl, but I digress), but some have a very long tradition and association with Halloween and some just... do not.
Here in Puerto Rico we take our witches (brujas) extremely seriously, being that most of the island believes strongly in Afro-Cuban Santeria (Orisha), and the existance of Brujeria (witchcraft). Although the Caribbean is not known as some of the countries still killing wtiches in 2013 (7 Countries That Still Kill Witches) still the Caribbean bat and our homeless street cats that happened to be born with black hair desperately pay the price.

Puerto Rico was home to 16 types of bats, but 2 species have already gone extinct, like so many Caribbean animals that have left the face of the Earth recently. According to the book Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective by Michael R. Gannon, the Caribbean holds some of the most fascinating species of bats, and these creatures are the only naturally occuring mammals on Puerto Rico that were not introduced by the Taino, Spanish, or Africans. Other than those who eat only nectar or fish, most species of Puerto Rican bats are happy to live off of our very bountiful array of insects, or rotting fruits. You would think we would follow the example of Austin, TX and love our bats unconditionally! We are trying, through the Puerto Rico Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, to identify where the majority of these little guys live so we can declare conservaional habitats for them, and there are many programs trying to educate and open the local communities to how awesome these little guys really are!





Black cats are not so lucky, and still do not have public opinion on their side. Every year around Halloween, and every unlucky Friday the 13th, there are reports of black cats getting killed on the island. Local T/N/R professionals Save A Gato always have their eyes and ears to the ground, helping the street cats of Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, and they always find fosters or temporary homes for their pure black friends on the street. No animal shelters will, or should, have any black cats available for adoption, for fear of them being abused, tortured or killed. Even if not satanic or witch-like, black cats still have a negative aura to them on the island, and should be protected at all costs during these times of the year.
Hopefully throughout the year we will promote bats & cats enough that by next Halloween they will be a little less scary (or scared) and shown a bit more love!

Memorial Day Weekend Rescue Mission

This poor little guy had a horrible day yesterday! I received a call that he was on Calle Cristo barely walking, falling over in the street, and bleeding. He had been trying to walk around on the block for more than 5 hours to the horror of restaurant employees, locals, and tourists alike. Everyone involved were certain he had been hit by a car. I came to the scene to see if I could be of any assistance after being called by a dear friend who has a very big heart for animals. I am NOT a vet, do not have room in my apartment for sick cats, and the vet is not open until after the holiday. Not being sure what I could actually accomplish, I checked it out anyway.

When I arrived the super sweet locals had already put him in a box and the Booty's employees had given him food. They said he ate a lot and with gusto. Well, I guess that is a good sign for a cat in pain? He cannot walk without falling over on his side, but he can eat? Doesn't sound right. When I saw this little guy in the box my heart broke. What on Easrt was I going to do to help this little guy?

I'm far from a vet, but I could feel his spine had not been crushed, and all of his legs and ribs were not badly broken, and he was able to bear weight on all four. He did have blood coming from his face, a very swollen mouth, and as he tried with all of his little kitty strength to bite me, I realized he had no teeth!

With help and caring from one of Viejo San Juan's biggest animal lovers I was able to transfer him to a carrier, and I was offered a ride by a super caring and wonderful friend and her companion who were equally worried.  Before we left, I had many people asking my intentions with this cat- including a few tourists. He really had captured the hearts of everyone who saw him in the street. Poor little guy.

Once we were home and safe, he ate TWO more plates of wet food and I just started at him in awe. It makes NO sense.

I wasn't sure he was going to make it through the night, and dreamt about himwhile I slept. In the morning he was up and FULL of fight! Hissing, pawing, and fully on fire, this was a COMPLETELY different cat. Once he calmed down I saw that he looked very familiar. Finally I yelled "I KNOW YOU!!!" and went to the Walkstar files. In February I had photographed a number of VSJ street cats while on Walkstar circuits, and I had a photo of him. Although his mouth looks MUCH worse now, he had no teeth, and problems with his mouth, back in February. What could this possibly be that he continues to have problems with his mouth? Why was he falling over in the street when he tried to walk and bleeding from his face again? He has not been marked as captured by any local organization, does he have a vet file anywhere? Hopefully the wonderful staff at the Miramar Animal Hospital on Ponce de Leon can help me with this mystery on Tuesday when they reopen!

If anyone has any background information about this cat please contact Walkstar at (787) 698-9769

Loose Leash Walking

This is a great video with training tips on how to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash. I would have loved to see this woman use a medium or larger breed dog, but the message is still clear with the tiny dog that is pulling ahead.

Pulling is easily corrected once your little one establishes a relationship with you when you are on the other side of the leash. Is your pup at your heels in the house, but then drags you around town once you get to the street?It is important your dog keep a connection with you by glancing up, feeling when you have stopped or turned around, and not getting to far ahead (tense leash). Once a connection is established, some light training can change tho whole dynamic of your daily walk!

Enjoy!


Our Clients

Walkstar is always snapping photos of our cute little ones during walks. How can we miss these precious opportunities? Here are some of our favorites!







Your pup can be as happy as these clients are!

If you have a little one who could use play time, exercise, socialization, or a break in their day contact Walkstar at (787) 698-9769, or click on the Puppy Love tab above for pricing quotes and packages!

Hot Weather Tips for Pet Safety!

How to Tame a Hyperactive Cat



Not sure I've seen many hyperactive cats, but if you spot one, here's how to tame the wild beast!

Who said Cats Can't be Vegan?

Not VeganCats.com!

All of my life I have been told that cats need animal-source vitamins, but no one could really tell me which ones, or for what reason. None of these arguements I believed, but lacking super information about cats, their health & diet, I was stumped. My cats like vegetables and I have been able to make their foods, but I never trusted my own vegan combinations being nervous they were not getting the nutrition they need.

My research lead me to read articles like the NaturalNews.com report on the horros of the pet food industry, and I realized I need a new game plan, and quickly. No matter how much money I'm spending on cat food, the quality was desperately lacking, and I refuse to poison the little ones I have vowed to take care of.

The Whole Dog Journal did a wonderful exposé on the inside of a pet food manufacturing plant, but not on any brands I had ever heard of. Anyway, it was informative on certain practices and laws that are in play.

Finding the VeganCat.com site made me breathe a great sigh of relief, because not only do they have the answer I have been looking for, they have done the RESEARCH, and can physically tell me exactly what nutrients cats produce, why they need some extra help from animal sources, and exactly how they found replacement vitamins and minerals and from what sources.

From the VeganCat Website:
Cats need dietary taurine, but significant quantities naturally occur only in animal tissues. A shortage causes blindness and heart disease. Most mammals biosynthesize vitamin A from the yellow pigment (carotene) found in vegetables. Cats lack this ability, making a dietary source of this vitamin, found naturally only in animal tissues, essential. Vitamin D is another essential vitamin, found naturally only in animal tissues as D3. The essential fatty acid arachidonate is rare in non-animal sources. Cats require it for numerous vital metabolic processes including reproduction. Vegecat products contain the rare nutrients mentioned above derived from non-animal sources, such as D2 from yeast. Recipes meet nutrient levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Official’s (AAFCO) Cat Food Nutrient Profile for adult cats, without using any animal products. Each container comes with simple recipes which, when used with Vegecat, are formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements for adult cats. (For kittens, see Vegekit also offered on our site.) Vegecat recipes may include ingredients such as lentils, garbanzos, tofu, TVP, & yeast (we highly recommend VegeYeast as it is the healthiest for cats). 

There are different products and brands of vegan options for your cat on their site. If you are tired of processed pet foods on the market, and ready to make the switch to a cruelty-free life for your pets, this is definitely the place to begin!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)