EVERYDAY CAT CARE

I have a five-year-old female longhaired cat who I adopted from the local humane society a couple of years ago. Recently, she has been having hairballs almost on a daily basis.

For those cats who live an indoor-outdoor existence - or even an exclusive outdoor life, despite its many dangers - there are extra hazards to keep in mind during the warm weather months. There is an increase in cat fights, dog bites and road traffic accidents.

Trap Neuter Return (TNR) is a non-lethal method of controlling community cat populations that has been practiced in the United States since the early 1990s. Using this technique, all the feral (wild) cats in a colony (group) are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, treated for any injuries, ear tipped for identification and then returned to their home territory where they are fed, sheltered and monitored by a caregiver. Whenever possible, kittens and friendly adults are removed from the colony and offered for adoption.

Before Andrew Davidson embarked on a major home renovation project two years ago, the Long Island resident sat down and planned every step of the process - including a discussion on how to make life as stress-free as possible for his two cats, Blaze and Sadie.

When you think of Hawaii, you probably picture cerulean blue oceans, wafting palm trees, towering volcanoes and picturesque beaches (and maybe even Elvis!). What you may not imagine are feral cats - and lots of them! With a temperate climate, no natural predators and, until recently, not enough affordable spay/neuter options, free-roaming cats have taken root in the Hawaiian Islands in a significant way.

Among all threats to feline health, none is more fatal than rabies. The threat also applies to cat owners who are bitten or scratched by an infected animal. Rabies is caused by a bullet-shaped virus called a lyssavirus, and this microorganism affects many warm-blooded animals, most commonly in skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats and bats. However, notes Dr. Orla Wages, a specialist in internal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Tufts, the virus can affect all warm-blooded animals, including domestic dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated.

In a Portland, Oregon, variant of garden tours, a growing number of people are taking part every year in the Catio Tour. Organized by the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, the tour highlights the wide variety of screened-in enclosures that allow cats to safely enjoy the outdoors. What the tour does is puts the name with the actual structure, and that helps people see that these do exist, says Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon director Karen Kraus. Plus, having the tour will raise the bar and inspire more people to do this on their own property.

Luckily, we experienced a relatively mild winter here in the Northeast. And as the weather stays more temperate with each passing day, its so nice to throw open the windows, do a little Spring cleaning and simply daydream about the gardening that can get underway in another month or so.

We like to think of our homes as our castles, complete with proverbial moats as part of a defense system against invading armies. But how do you safely protect your castle, family and pets from invading armies of pests such as ants, roaches, spiders, fleas and rodents? Your first response may be to grab a can of Bug Blitz - but nowadays, theres an impressive arsenal of safe and non-toxic defenses to try before reaching chemical extermination.

At eight years of age, your cat Boris continues to look terrific - the way hes always looked - and to behave with nearly the same mischievous vitality that hes displayed since he was a kitten. Unfortunately, this isnt going to go on forever. Considering that the feline age of eight is roughly equivalent to the age of 40 or so in a human, your beloved Boris - as trim and spirited as he is at present - is likely to start showing the normal signs of aging in the not-so-distant future.

Even though you may assume that a teaching hospital is a very hectic place, a lot of effort is devoted to providing a stress-free environment for cats. Here's how.

By helping to curb feline overpopulation, you are making the world a better place for cats.