West Hollywood did it years ago!   Santa Monica recently banned declawing!  Berkeley and Los Angeles will be the next cities to consider it!

We take a deep bow to the 8 supervisors who voted yes!  As for the 2 who refused the vote yes (Michela Alioto-Pier and Sean Elsbernd) we arch our backs and hiss.

The bill now goes before Mayor Gavin Newsom.  He has the power to  sign it into law or to veto it.   Let’s hope that he respects the wishes of the Board of Supervisors and signs the bill.

If you wish to contact Mayor Newsom here is his contact information.

Mayor Gavin Newsom
City Hall, Room 200
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-6141
fax: 415-554-6160
 gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

Come on America!  If every European nation can ban declawing, so should we!  If Martha Stewart can trim her cat’s nails and live with a few shredded places on her furniture so should we!

Did the state kill my cat?

Fire-retardant chemicals required by California in furniture may be poisoning us.
By Arlene Blum PhD

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-blum17-2008oct17,0,819903.story

From the Los Angeles Times Opinion  October 17, 2008

My beloved cat, Midnight, died a few days ago — possibly because of toxic chemicals in my furniture. In two years with hyperthyroid disease, Midnight went from a plump 14 pounds to a skeletal five. A year ago, a veterinary epidemiologist found that Midnight’s blood contained among the highest levels of  toxic PBDEs documented in animal research. That’s when I learned that the chemicals in my cat came from my couch. And that my furniture is uniquely toxic because I live in California.

Since the 1980s, fire-retardant chemicals such as PBDEs have been added to furniture to meet a California-only requirement that the foam inside resist a 12-second exposure to an open flame. The chemicals evaporate from the foam, settle in dust and coat walls with a thin film. Cats that groom themselves and toddlers who crawl in dust show especially high levels of PBDEs, but everyone with this chemically treated furniture gets some exposure.

In dozens of animal studies, these fire retardants also have been shown to harm reproduction and scramble brain development. Studies are underway to determine if PBDEs are contributing to increases in autism, hyperactivity, birth defects, infertility, diabetes and obesity in people.

On average, dust in California homes contains 10 times the PBDEs found in dust from other states and 200 times the amount in houses in Europe, according to a new study from the Silent Spring Institute. Worse, Californians have twice the level of this fire retardant in their blood as do people in other states. A recent research report by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group showed that American toddlers have, on average, a level of fire retardant in their bodies that is three times higher than that found in their mothers.

Every evening for the last year, I put a needle into Midnight’s scruff to give her fluids to keep her alive. As I watched the slow drip of the liquid, I wondered whether the PBDEs in my cat caused her disease. The fire retardant is known to cause thyroid problems in rats, mice, kestrels and frogs. The EPA suspected a link after its 2007 study of cats found substantially higher levels of PBDEs in the ones with hyperthyroidism. In 1980, when PBDEs were first added to furniture, hyperthyroid disease in cats hardly existed, according to my veterinarian. Now it is an epidemic in California.

Were Midnight and my family safer from fires because of the toxic chemicals in our couch? Probably not. Furniture fabric in California is not required to be fire resistant. In a fire, fabric burns long enough to ignite even treated foam.

Happily, the death rate from house fires has gone down considerably in California since 1980. But it’s dropped a similar amount or more in states that don’t require retardants in their furniture. A decrease in smoking, more smoke detectors and better enforcement of fire safety standards are credited with this large decrease in fire deaths.

San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno’s AB 706, a bill that sought to remove toxic fire retardants from California furniture and maintain fire safety, was just voted down by the state Senate. Manufacturers of fire retardants — Chemtura Corp., Albemarle Corp. and Israel Chemicals Ltd. — spent millions on lobbying to stop it.

Instead, more Californians may soon be sleeping in a cocoon of chemicals. Technical Bulletin 604, a proposed state regulation requiring comforters, mattress pads and pillows to resist an open flame, is expected to be enacted soon by the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation. Yet the state has not asked for any information on the health or environmental effects of the chemicals likely to be used.

As I stroked Midnight before she died, I thought about the canary in the coal mine warning of lethal gases. Perhaps the story of Midnight’s death can help protect us all from unneeded toxic fire retardants in our homes.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has the authority and responsibility to protect our health. He should instruct the bureau to stop California from being the only state requiring flame-retardant bed coverings, pillows and furniture. It’s too late for Midnight, but hopefully our governor will withstand chemical industry pressure and act to protect our cats and our children from unneeded toxic chemicals in our homes.

Arlene Blum PhD is executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley’s Department of Chemistry

Arlene Blum, PhD
arlene@arleneblum.com
Telephone: 510 644-3164  Mobile: 510 919-6363
Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute
Web: www.greensciencepolicy.org, www.arleneblum.com
Arlene Blum
Phone:  510 644-3164
Fax: 510 644-2164
Cell: 510 919-6363
E-Mail:  arlene@arleneblum.com
Web site: www.arleneblum.com

The cats who live at Cat Faeries are known as “the little old ladies” and we’d say that what Dr Benfatto is telling us is very true. Sadly, Betty (age 17.5) and Tasha (age 17 or 18) have both completely lost their hearing in the past year.

Their deafness has been very upsetting to us. They never get to hear us tell them how beautiful they are, how much we love them, all those little sweet sayings which we lavish upon them, are no longer heard. Spookie at age 20 still hears most pitches and tones, but she’s hearing less and less as time goes on. Torti at 14 still hears it all, in particular, the dinner bell!

The sense that never seems to go away, and in fact can get stronger and more sensitive, is the sense of smell. Because the Feliway pheromone works with a cat’s sense of smell to send the message “I don’t pee here” we know that the calming message that it sends is more important than ever to an aging cat.

Feliway is known to have a calming effect on most cats which is partly why it’s so successful for getting cats to stop peeing on naughty surfaces. So, even if your cats are purrfect litter box users you will want the scent of Feliway in your home simply for it’s calming benefits for cats of all ages, in particular older cats with hearing loss or who are deaf.

Place a Comfort Zone with Feliway diffuser in the rooms where geriatric cats spend their time snoozing. The smell of Feliway will be very assuring to a cat who can’t hear well. Or use the spray form and apply it to cat beds and perches. The smell of Feliway will provide pleasure to your cats.

Its been scientifically proven that calm beings live longer and healthier lives. And for our aging kitties, that means fewer vet bills and stress put on the human family members.

More wonderful reasons why Cat Faeries loves Feliway! Spread the joy with Feliway!

But who will help you with your daily obligations, like feeding the cats and scooping litter boxes when you can barely get out of bed? Who will help you get the medication for yourself from the drug store, or supplements from the health food store? Who will cook for you? Who will do those little things or errands while you are sick or recovering?

If there are no family members close by or you can’t ask or trust neighbors you need a “personal assistant” or a “personal concierge.”

In the past few years people who are burnt out on soul sucking corporate America have gotten creative about making an income, and they have become personal assistants who you can call upon when you need help.

Generally they charge by the hour. These resourceful folks will do the stuff you are not able to do.

Even if your not sick, but you are super swamped and crazy busy, they can pitch in and run errands, tend to your animals, keep food in the fridge, and so much more.

Before you get sick, or before you need to leave for a trip, start looking for professional cat sitters or/and professional personal assistants. Find out their rates. Find out what they are willing to do, as well as what they are not willing to do. You’ll find a person who’s just right for you and your needs.

Do the research now so that the next time you are sick in bed and cannot tend to your cats or yourself, help is just a phone call away.

Number one reason to trim nails – so that they don’t grow uncontrolled and curve under and into the cat’s foot. OUCH!

Feliway spray can “somewhat’ deter a cat from scratching at your furniture. But its not perfect and you need to apply it daily.

But if you trim your cat’s nails every 10 or 12 days they will be short, and if your cat does scratch at a sofa not much damage, if any, will occur.

You can find nice clippers in shops or you can use a good quality human toe nail clipper.

We suggest you sit someplace comfortable for you with good lighting – that could be the bathroom, on the toilet seat which you put down. Clip as many nails in one sitting as the cat will allow.

Some cats are comfortable if you softly drape a towel over their head. Other cats are comfortable if you wrap them like a “burrito.” And yet other cats are comfortable being held free on your lap, sort of like a baby, on their back.

A cat is never too old to learn to get used to twice a month nail trims. Gentle handling, showering the cat with praise will really help. And of course treat yourself to something special in honor of a job well done after!

If you have stubborn friends or family who just don’t get the importance of spay and neuter, here’s something that illustrates it in a fun and easy to grasp way.

We are in favor of anything that can enlighten with humor, creativity, and which does not smack people over the head in a way which puts them off. Enjoy this You Tube video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMzW3LIkNLA

yeah yeah yeah yeah!

Since this is the time of year when we are roasting turkeys, the grocery stores have lots of aluminum roasting pans for sale. If you look you’ll probably find one the length of your current litter box, but the sides will be lower. Try one! See if your cat likes it. See if its just as easy for you to clean and manage.

We have seen a few litter pans in the stores with lower sides, but they are not long enough for most cats to use comfortably. Try the roasting pan idea – they come in several sizes, you’ll find one that’s right! Its a pretty cheap experiment which could save you oodles of money in the long run, and your sanity. And the cat will be so much happier and in less pain.

* sudden fighting

* one cat is singled out and picked on

* new alliances are formed, old alliances end

* change in hierarchy

* blood in the litter box (get to the vet – QUICK!)

* eating less or eating much more

* vomiting after eating

* coughing, sneezing, wheezing

* sudden dislike of a once favorite food or treat

* withdrawing from affection

* hiding in closets

* sleeping longer hours, sleeping deeper

Sometimes it seems hard to keep on top of everything we want to be observant of. Its so important to slow down, do less, and spend more time with our furry loved ones. Serious illness can sometimes come from nowhere. But if you think back, there were probably signs, subtle for sure, but there were signs that something was going on. A shift. A change. Behavior changes which have little to do with personalities but all to do with health should be carefully examined and acted upon with the help of your veterinarian. If need be, consult with a veterinary internist.

In loving memory of Jacques Frost, September 18, 1994 – November 25, 2007.

Our cats are fed a diet of raw grass fed meat. We purchase it from a local producer who we know by name and have the personal phone number of. We can ask them questions and get real answers. We know these folks well enough to know the names of their family members and their housecats! We enjoy the relationship we have with Linda Alston of Alston Farm and trust that the meat she sells us is as pure and clean as can be. We know the animals are raised with compassion, that they are healthy, and that they are not given drugs. The Jersey cows graze year round on grass in the California sunshine. We also like that Linda is close to our 100 mile watershed and is in our bio-region.

Our cats eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner. Preparing their food is a way we can slow down and put our energy into their good health and well being. As I put the meat in a bowl I think of Linda who I bought it from and I send nice thoughts her way. When I stir in minced baby greens I think of my garden where they grew or the person I bought them from at the farmer’s market, again sending out good wishes and nice thoughts.

If I add baked sweet potato (which cats love) I think about how I incorporate what the cats eat with what we eat. I roast or bake enough sweet potatoes for all of us. The greens which go into their food are also in my salad or part of a meal. We don’t give our cats much grain, but if there is some left over rice I’ll add a bit to the mix. My rice comes from a grower who’s in my bio region. Sometimes its from a fair trade company which works with organic and sustainable growers in far away places. I add Kidney Kitty flower essence formula as all of our cats are over 12 years old.

As I mix their food carefully and slowly I think about my beloved geriatric cats who’s ages range from 12 to over 18. I know that they look great and have lustrous fur and fairly minor health problems compared to other cats their age or even younger. I believe that eating commercial cat food on a daily basis is not good. Our cats do sometimes get canned cat food, but I’m very fussy about what I buy. I call the cat food companies and ask if all of their ingredients are US manufactured. I will not buy any food items which contain ingredients from China or similar countries (with the exception of things like tea, but its organically grown). Rarely do my cats get canned cat food more than a few times a week. While I mix their food and spoon it into their bowls I send out healthy and loving thoughts to all 6 to my cats.

I like homemade food for my cats for many reasons. I know the name and source of every single ingredient which is how I feed my human family and friends. The mystery ingredients in commercial cat food scare me. And how do we know for sure that the ingredients in prepared food for animals and humans are not toxic or safe? We don’t! We cannot trust corporations to put care and love into what they produce. We certainly cannot trust companies in other countries.

When news of the tainted cat and dog food first hit the media I wondered “why would any US or Canadian company consider buying ingredients like wheat or rice from China when we grow them right here?” Its madness. China and many other countries have appalling standards of cleanliness and health. Do you really trust US corporations who care only about the bottom-line and which buy cheap ingredients to feed you and your cats? Do you trust corporations in places like China?

We feed our cats food made with love. Do corporations love you? Or just your money? Do those workers, who are often slaves or barely paid, resent and hate us? As they are working under force or for little money are they putting their angry thoughts into those goods and ingredients?

Speaking of ingredients, how do we know for sure that every ingredient in prepared food – be it your cat or dog, or yours – does not contain toxic ingredients. Does that food bowl which was made in China contain toxins or give off toxic fumes? If you think we are alarmist then read the recent news articles about the millions of children’s toys which have been recalled because they contain deadly toxins

Cheap cat toys from China, cheap clothing from China, cheap appliances from China. Cheap and cheaper, toxic and dangerous, the list of cheapness grows every day. Then there is the pollution its causing in the countries where all of our manufacturing has gone because they do not have safety standards. Think your safe here on US shores? Read about the clouds of pollution which blow across the Pacific right into our backyards.

Do you know that only 1/2 of 1% of all imports are inspected? That’s not a typo, its a fact. Are you outraged? You should be. The recent cat and dog food deaths caused by poisoned ingredients from China should have scared you, gotten you to ask questions, and changed how you spend your money.

Transporting all that cheap junk to the US on ships requires the burning of a staggering amount of fossil fuel. The next time you say “Wow, I love it, its so cheap.” Think about what your saying and the effect shopping like this has.

Earlier in this post we tossed out some words you may not be familiar with: bio region and watershed. Hop over to Google and learn something new!

Shop: To find grass fed in your state: www.eatwild.com

Read: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Read: In Praise of Slowness, Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honore’

View: Manufactured Landscape, a film by Edward Burtynsky. View the trailor: http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/landscapes/
View: Lou Dobbs on MSNBC

Web: FDA website for recalls and warnings on food, health care items and more. Very eye opening indeed!
 http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html