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The Cat SitterSM Tribune
Making "Cat Sense" |
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Issue
Number 6 PO Box 232, Roswell, GA 30077 ph 770-594-10 10 fax 770-640-0336 November, 1996
1996 Holiday
Issue
We hope you will enjoy our 1996 Holiday Issue
of The Cat Sitter Newsletter
Read this newsletter from front to back, or go
directly to the article of your choice:
Articles
1. Why Shop Neighborhood Pet
Stores?
2. New Name for The Cat Sitter Newsletter
3. New Kid on the Block
4. New Products: The Nature Collection
5. Truly an Angel
6. Cat Nail Tips (Furniture Scratching)
Relax, make yourself at home while visiting your
Neighborhood Pet Stores
The pet industry has undergone many significant changes in the past five years. Some of
these changes have been good--some devastating. The biggest change has been the
introduction of the superstores and their effect on the local markets. As the President of
the Pet Industry Association of Georgia and the owner of Roswell Pet Supply,
Inc., I know first hand what these superstores have done to the industry.
Why should any customer want to shop at their local pet shop vs. the superstore'? There
are many reasons:
- You get personal attention;
- You get someone who knows the products and can tell you how to use them;
- Pet shops really appreciate your business and care about you;
- More convenient;
- You get the best merchandise;
- You get merchandise the superstores do not carry (i.e., toys from The Cat Sitter
- Your purchases help the local economy.
You get much better service.
At the superstore, you cannot get knowledge of the products; you
cannot get service or information; you cannot get lower prices on equal products. What
benefit is to shop at a superstore? It's large--which means it to find what you're looking
for; and good luck if you have any questions or need to special order an item.
Sure, their dog/cat foods may be dollar or two lower bag, but your local pet shop will
carry it to your car for you and your dollars will within your community--not be sent out
of the state or country.
I have carried The Cat toys in my store since Linda some years
ago. I recommend to customers and other pet shop owners these customized, toys.
Superstores do not have them. "Hats Off" to Linda Bagne Bartleson.
In the past four years, since the superstores have been in the
Atlanta area, 265 local pet shops have been forced out of business by unfair pricing, lack
of consumer awareness, and the overall ability of the superstores to control the pet
industry market.
What would happen if all the pet shops were gone--leaving only
the superstores?
- You can be sure prices would increase drastically
- Selection would be limited;
- There would be no customer sevice;
- There would be no knowledgeabl staff to answer your questions and offer help
- and many would realize a big inconvenience
The next time you are faced with the decision of where to go for
your pet or pet supplies, think about supporting your local pet shop and local economy.
Those folks are your friends and neighbors. They will greatly apreciate your coming in and
shopping with them. You are welcome to relax and make yourself at home.
The Cat Sittersm Newsletter has a New Name!!
Did You Notice?
Ms. Ashleigh Clark, from M Marietta Georgia, has won our contest
(announced in our June issue) for a new Newsletter name. She won with the name "Cat
Sense" . We have built this name into our newsletter for the first time in this
issue; "The Cat Sitter Tribunesm, Maldng Cat Sense".
Ms. Clark wins one of our new products, a white mailbox decorated with cats and hearts.
Our congratulations to Ms. Clark.
Top of Page
New Kid on the Block
by Pam Blane, a customer of The Cat Sitter".
Bringing a new cat or kitten into a home with
established feline residents can be traumatic not only for the cats butfor the owners as
well. in fact, problems can arise not just by bringing new cats into the environment, but
by any changes at all in that environment. Cats are territorial and are much happier in
familiar surroundings. A new baby, a new kitten, a new home? Any of these will upset your
cats. Time will usually solve the problem, but it can take months. Literally. The
following letter is one person's experience. We would be interested in hearing from
others.
Dear Linda,
After having had Panama for years as an "only child" I
brought home a kitten, Pandora. Getting Panama used to having a sister was a dilema. So,
here's what I did. Panama was so upset for the first two days he even threw up. For the
next three weeks, I gave him all the attention if they were both around. I fed him first,
said hello to him first, picked him up first, etc.. Of course when he left the room or
went outside, I loved Pandora to death.
I think the tone of your voice says a lot to them too. I would say, "Panama, you have
a playmate", or, "isn't she a nut?" while rubbing him. I think it all sunk
in finally; that he was still loved just as much. So he calmed down and now they are great
friends and playmates.
I wake up some mornings and they're both in the bed with me. Or outside, they will be
catnapping in the sun together. And they love to play chase through the house.
I love having the two to keep each other and me company.
"The
Nature CollectionTM
A new line of Country
Catnip Toys- by The Cat Sitter
The Cat Sitter has introduced a new
line of refillable Country Catnip Toys-. The toys are called "The Nature CollectionTM."
Cats love to hunt; it has been one of their instincts since the beginning of the species.
But what does an indoor cat do?
We have the answer. Give your indoor cat a toy from The Nature Collection- Each refillable
toy in The Nature Collection represents an animal in the wild. We recommend replacing with
a fresh catnip refill each three months. Your cat will play with the toy on and on.
The toys are available at the stores listed on the Newsletter page.
If you have difficulties finding them, phone 770-594-1010 for a catalog.
Top of Page
If you are tired of negative stories,
read on. This one will lift your spirits
Truly an Angel
by Mr. Neil Pringle, a customer of The Cat Sitters
Having a loving ,wonderful cat slowly dying of kidney failure over a two week period of
time was very painful for my family. Visiting our sick cat every morning and evening at
The Cat Clinic of Roswell became a sad ritual as she slowly worsened.
One afternoon I noticed a tiny calico kitten covered in a thick sticky yellow goo located
in a cage next to our cat. Questioning the attendant, we discovered that the female kitten
had been found behind a Waffle House badly burned over 50% of her body. Speculation was
that she had been deliberately burned or set on fire. The doctors were not confident the
kitten would live. For hours each day for many
weeks, attendants held the kitten because her paws and underside were so badly burned, she
could not stand. Not knowing if the kitten would survive, the attendants affectionately
named her "Angel." I also found myself petting her and spending significant time
encouraging Angel to live.
Several months following the traumatic death of our cat, I received a call from the Cat
Clinic of Roswell to ask if we might be interested in adopting Angel as she was now on her
way to fully recovering from the bums. They said we were good cat parents and wanted us to
have Angel. She has become a sweet and warm kitten resulting from many hours and days of
holding her in the hospital trying to encourage her to live. We think she is truly a
special angel.
Cat Nail Tips
by Pam Boatright, a customer
of The Cat Sitter
Every cat owner has at one time encountered problems with their cat scratching
furniture. After my adorable "kitten" completely demolished a chair, it was time
for either me or the cat to go! I began talking to various cat owners and several vets
trying to figure out what to do to prevent this problem. I tried all kinds of things that
worked for others but not for me. Finally, someone recommended something that actually
works! Since I searched and searched for a remedy, I wanted to share my findings!
Outdoor cats love to sharpen their nails on trees. But what happens when they are
inside? The answer is simple! They simply substitute something in the house. A sofa or
chair makes a great indoor tree. To eliminate this problem, I decided to bring the outside
world inside. I have a piece of firewood (with lots of bark) that I leave on the hearth of
my fireplace. My cat thinks it is great! No more problems with him sharpening his nails on
the furniture.
If you ever have this problem, give my home remedy a try!