Cats are more than a pet. Their personalities are unique and their love for their owners can be plainly seen every day online. When we have a cat for a number of years, we fall into routines with them. They seek attention and we are more than happy to oblige, to feel loved by this mysterious creature and reciprocate it. We set up spaces for them, allow them into our most vulnerable moments, and care for them as a member of the family. They recognize when we are in pain, when we are excited, and they want to share these moments because they care.

Much like humans, cats, too, have phobias and experience anxiety. These emotions are tools designed to help all living creatures survive. When something bad or traumatic happens, we associate elements of that experience with fear or anxiety. This helps us avoid those things in the future but is undoubtedly a difficult feeling to live with. Fear and anxiety, at a primal level, may have helped us survive as a species, but it can make daily life difficult for those suffering under it. Cats experience these things as well.

Domesticated cats were not always domestic animals, but they have been for a very long time. Thousands of years, in fact! According to the Smithsonian Museum, the process of the cat’s domestication may have begun some 12,000 years ago!

It can be hilarious, sweet, or even painful at times, but our cats need to knead. Why? The behaviour starts from a very early age for cats. As kittens, they knead their mother’s stomach to stimulate milk production while they are feeding. This gives us a window into the cat psyche. The action of kneading to receive their mother’s milk, as babies, is such a positive feeling for them they carry it on into adulthood. 

It was a cold and dark winter afternoon at Hervey Cats. A visitor was chatting with Marjorie, the shelter owner, about some interesting theories they had about their cat.

“I swear to goodness, he sees things I can’t!” said the visitor.

“I know what you mean! It’s like they get spooked by things we will never understand,” said Marjorie.

Cats make excellent companions for seniors, especially those living on their own. Having another fun, loving little personality around the home can make the difference between a good day and a bad day.

Their devotion and curiosity make them ideal emotional companions while their associated maintenance is much lower than some other pets (example: cats don’t need to be taken for walks). They also sleep on average 15 hours a day, with some sleeping for longer than that, and even a half-hour a day of play is enough to keep them satisfied. 

We have all experienced this before. Your cat is scratching all your furniture and they seem to be ignoring the little scratchpad you bought them, the small scratching post, or even their mid-sized cat tree.

Cats can be fussy eaters, but some are curious enough to try different things when the opportunity presents itself. Truth is, not all foods are good or even digestible for cats, and some can present a real danger to their health.

It was a chilly day at the shelter. Winter had blown its cold breath the night before and with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, temperatures were low outside. Gary and Morris woke up with the sunlight, gently stretching and licking their chops. Both cats got up, got through their grooming routine and then grabbed a bite to eat.

It’s almost time for Christmas and Hanukkah, and as a result, there are more online cat sale-related scams popping up. Sadly, fraudsters know how much a photo of a cute kitten can pull on the heartstrings, and with the holidays approaching, they know more people will be looking for a furry companion to add to their household.

It was Christmas Eve and Gary and Morris were milling around the shelter, sniffing decorations and rubbing their faces on them.

“It’s that time of year,” said Morris.

“You are right,” said Gary. “My favourite time of year!”

“It’s Christmas!” they both exclaimed.

Winter is a tough time for the neighbours of Herveycats. Woodland creatures gather supplies all Summer and Autumn in the hopes they can collect enough to survive the Winter without needing to go out into the cold. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of life!

Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year with its spooky vibe and themes. For kids, it means it’s time for another night of candy hunting, but for adults, it can mean so much more – handing out candy, parties, decorating, spooking people, etc. 

For cats, Halloween can present a number of new experiences for them to take in, and you can incorporate them into the fun!

Gary and Morris were hanging outside the front door at Hervey Cats, basking in the sun when they saw two young humans running towards the shelter.

“I win!” shouted one of the children.

Garry and Morris looked at each other, nodded, and said, “We should have a big race!” at the same time.