The Classy Cat, an exclusive store dedicated almost entirely to cats and cat lovers, is now open. This one of a kind store features collectibles, cat safe toys, hand crafted ceramics and many other unique feline gifts and novelties.

The Classy Cat is conveniently located in the Delk Spectrum Shopping Center at the intersection of Powers Ferry and Delk Roads.

Experience the pleasure of shopping with a feline motife.

A House cat started an early morning fire at a Spencerport Road apartment last Sunday, according to Gates fire officials.

Fire Chief Jim Harrington said the cat somehow tripped a switch on an electric stove and turned the burner on.

Combustible material located near the stove caught fire. Damage was confined to the stove and surrounding walls.

The last thing our two cats, Emmett and Zeke, need is a new treat. They're not the svelte young boys they were when we adopted them five years ago (my husband and I aren't exactly thin anymore, either, but that hasn't kept us from an occasional dip into a pint of Ben and Jerry's ... ) So when I got my hands on a cookbook of kitty treats, "Cat Nips! Feline Cuisine" by Rick and Martha Reynolds ( We took the cat design above from the book cover; Berkley, $8.95), 1 just had to try out a recipe. I picked the easiest - Minnie's Morsels for Mature Cats. Here it is:

I can sardines, packed in olive oil
I cup whole grain bread crumbs
I egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon brewer's yeast (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, mash the sardines into tiny pieces with a fork Add bread crumbs, egg and brewer's yeast; mix well. Drop 1/4 teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 7 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Here's my variation. I didn't have sardines in the house, so I used a few chicken bits from chicken fingers I had made the night before (I breaded the scrap pieces and fried those, too, saving them for the kitty recipe). I combined the chicken with canned tuna and ran it through the food processor. Likewise for the crumbs, I dried four pieces of bread and ran those through the food processor. I skipped the brewer's yeast (I didn't have that in the house either). I used my fu ers to mix it all up and it made these cute little nuggets that popped right into the oven.

After they had cooled, I put some out for Emmett and Zeke' clinked their dishes (that's their cue to eat) and watched as they inspected this new treat. Zeke, chow hound that he is (make that chow cat) wolfed them all down. Emmett was skeptical, and perhaps I caught him in a rare I'm-not-hungry moment, so he didn't eat his right away. I tried one myself and it was pretty tasty. They're chewy rather than crunchy, so I don't see them replacing the cats' gular supplement of Pounce Tartar Control treats, but with homemade treats, you know what your cats are getting (check out the ingredients list on the Tartar Control box; it reads like a chemistry experiment).

You can vary the recipe by using canned mackerel instead of the sardines or tuna. Other recipes in this book that look interesting include Hocus Pocus's magically Moist Morsels (beef, carrot, cheese, bread crumbs and catnip) and Catnip Crepes with Anchovy Sauce. A crunchy treat that looks terrific but like a bit more work is Aunt Olive's Kitty Vittles, which have all sorts of healthy stuff like bone meal, wheat germ and co liver oil. But for a quick, healthy treat, I'd definitely recommend the above recipe, and so would Emmett and Zeke.

Those of us who choose cats for pets know that they are fastidious animals by nature and are extremely fussy about their bathroom habits. They will faithfully, under normal conditions, use a clean litter box provided in a private, accessible location. It is naturally puzzling to discover that your previously well-behaved cat is soiling outside of the box.

If your cat forsakes the litterbox and soils elsewhere, your pet may be ill. It is necessary to have the animal examined by a veterinarian to rule out physical ailments. Your cat will need a thorough physical examination and a urine analysis to check for infection.

Cystitis is one common, but serious, urinary inflammation that is easily treated. If your cat has cystitis, you may notice your pet straining to urinate or an increased frequency in use of the litterbox. If you symptoms, it is necessary that your cat see a veterinarian immediately. A delay in medical attention can worsen this potentially life threatening condition.

If your cat is suffering from a urinary disorder, the animal is uncomfortable and is associating pain with use of the litterbox. It is also necessary to correct any physical ailment before your pet develops a learned pattern of soiling outside of the box. And, it is necessary to rule out any physical problems before behavioral issues can be addressed.

If your cat is healthy and begins soiling outside the box, your pet is sending you a message. Your cat no longer likes using the litterbox. and you need to determine why, and you may need to compromise with your pet so that you are both happy.

If you live in a multiple cat household, it is important to have one litterbox per cat, even if they seem content to use one box. Cats are territorial creatures. If your cats are content to use one box, the availability of individual boxes will reduce their territorial pressure. You may need to change the type of litter your are using. Some cats prefer texture in their litter, while others don't and may soil on the carpet, which is softer. The new "scoopable" litters are very soft and frequently eliminate the problem of carpet soiling. Many cats do not like hoods on their litterboxes. If you have a hood on their box, take it off. If changing the type of litter doesn't work, you may need to use disposable bed pads designed for incontinent people. Place the pads in the box without any litter. If your cat is soiling on a specific spot on the carpet, place a pad over that spot. When your cat soils the pad, place the pad in the litterbox and place the box over that spot on the carpet. On a daffy basis, gradually move the box back to its regular location. You may use plastic liners in the box.

If your cat is soiling on a tile floor, provide your pet with an empty litter box. It may be what your cat prefers.

If your cat is soiling on your dirty laundry or bed, your pet is reacting to your scent and is exhibiting territorial behavior by "claiming" yours. Do not leave out dirty laundry. If necessary, close off that room.

If your cat is soiling on a beanbag chair, throw it out. Beanbag chairs are just too similar to a litterbox.

If your cat is simply soiling everywhere, keep the pet temporarily restrained in a bathroom or laundry room with the old htterbox and a new litterbox. Let your cat choose between the two. Keep your pet restrained in the room one week for every month of bad behavior. During that period, only let the cat out when you can monitor its activity.

The stress of a change in lifestyle or a schedule can also cause a cat to soil outside of the box. A change in the home environment or a move to a new home are sources of stress. A new or visiting person, a baby or a new pet are other causes of stress.

Previous residents of an apartment may have owned a cat and your cat may feel compelled to mark its territory. Cat owners in ground level apartments may face a Particularly difficult problem. Outdoor male cats may spray the outside walls of your apartment, causing your cat to spray the inside walls. This is difficult to control because the problem is ongoing. If all else fails, on occasion, anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed. Although these drugs have successfully been prescribed to cats for nearly five years, they are human drugs and have not been approved for use by cats. Their use requires informed consent from the owner.

When cleaning soiled carpets, never use an ammonia based cleaner. Ammonia is a component in urine. An ammonia based product may intensify the smell to your cat and encourage him to keep soiling. A 50150 solution of white vinegar and water is an excellent remedy. Saturate the area then blot dry. Repeat as necessary. You may also sprinkle a powdered carpet freshener over the area. Fluff it in, but do not vacuum it. The scent of vinegar and the powder of a carpet freshener are a deterrent to your cat. There are also many excellent over the counter neutralizers that you can simply spray and leave on your carpeting, furniture and upholstery.

Never cover soiled areas with plastic. Cats love plastic, and newspaper, and this will only encourage your cat to soil. Cats do detest aluminum foil. This can work as a deterrent on certain areas, but if the cause of your cat's behavior is not addressed, your pet will likely pick another area to relieve itself. You may try putting an additional bowl of cat food over the problem area. Cats will not soil near their food. Again, your cat may simply pick another spot.

Finally, negative reinforcement never works. Your cat will only learn to avoid you, and this does not train Your Pet to use the litterbox. If you catch your cat soiling elsewhere, say "no" sharply and Pick Your pet up to stop it from soiling. Never yell at your cat and toss the pet in the box. To do so is not only cruel and ineffectual, but will only cause your cat to associate punishment with the litterbox. Instead, gently lead yur cat to the box and praise your pet for using it. Immediately give your cat a treat as a reward. Your cat needs reassurance and extra loving attention.

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