Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.


Category Archives: Cat Shelters

How to Create a Kitten Safe Zone

Hey, whos the small fry?

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Cat/Kitten Microchips for Identification

Kitten-Pictures-72.jpg

(Photo from: fogcitycat.com)

Too many stray cats end up in shelters, separated from their owners that truly want them.  It’s a heartbreaking processing to have to euthanize so many cats.

Fortunately, Microchip Identification technology is gaining popularity and provides a way for each cat (or animal) who has been implanted with a tiny rice grain-sized microchip to be identified and returned to their rightful owner(s).

The chip is about the size of a rice grain and is encapsulated in a covering of bio-glass and is injected under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades – no anesthesia is required.  Each chip has a unique number - currently the standard is a 9 digit number, but the standard is quickly moving to a 15 digit standard.

To read the chip, you must use a special scanner which when it passes over the chip, causes the chip to emit its number by a low-frequency radio wave - very similar to the RFID technology used for tracking packages.

Two companies dominate the market for producing the Microchips – Schering-Plough Animal Health, marketer of the HomeAgain- microchip identification system and AVID.  With the lack of a true standard, shelters are having to arm themselves with both types of scanners.

The HomeAgain chips can only be implanted by veterinarians while the AVID chips can be implanted by veterinarians, shelter personnel or individuals.  So the battle is on for who is going to dominate the market.

AVID Microchip

The AVID microchip.  About the size of a grain of rice.