Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals. Especially for animals who are suffering; for many that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all the mercy and pity; and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to the animals and to share the blessings of the merciful. ~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Driving Ms. Kitty...

Do not let your cat roam around your car during a drive, as this is dangerous for you both. Keep her in the carrier for the duration of the trip.

Does your cat suffer from motion sickness on car trips? Try withholding food from her a few hours before you’re scheduled to leave.

Never leave your cat in the car, especially during the hot summer months. Even if you leave the windows down, your cat could suffer heatstroke, become severely ill or even die.

Communicating with your cat

Tip #1:

Did you hear that? Your cat probably did. Cats have more than 40,000 nerve fibers in their ears, which allow them to hear very high and low frequencies.

Tips #2:

When commucating with your cat, remember that she understands your vocal tone much better than the specific words you use.

Traveling with Your Pet

Because state and local laws vary, pet-friendly lodging needs to be checked out ahead of time. TakeYourPet.com charges a small fee for its listing, while TravelPets offers a free directory. The AAA Guide "Traveling with Your Pet" is also a good bet.

Tip # 1

Make sure your houseplants are not toxic to your pet. Visit the Humane Society of the United States website at www.hsus.org or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website at www.aspca.org for complete lists of toxic and safe houseplants.

Safe Haven

A cat’s wary demeanor, indicated by a tail held down between the legs, is a sign of shyness around people she doesn’t know. Providing a safe, comfortable refuge allows her to join the social scene when and if she chooses.