Cloned wildcats may keep endangered species going

This story is interesting because cloning may end up being the way many endangered species are eventually saved. But, if you check out the location of the people cloning these wildcats, you'll notice they are based in New Orleans. I really hope that the people and animals at the Audubon Nature Institute's Research Center are OK in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Yesterday, when I looked at their website it came up fine. Today I get an error message.

• 2005 Aug 22. In breakthrough, cloned wildcats prove ability to reproduce. AFP.
• Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species: Cloning Main Page.

Hypoallergenic kittens for sale

Allerca, a California-based biotechnology company, is taking orders for it's genetically engineered kittens. These $3,500 British Shorthair kittens will be modified so they do not produce the protein that causes some people to have allergic reactions.

With 17 percent of the population allergic to cats, I think this is a wonderful scientific breakthrough. However, I know there are many who may be concerned about the safety or ethical issues involved. Speak out! Share your opinion by posting a comment below or voting in the poll on the right.

• 2004 Oct 24. Genetically modified cats for sale. CNN.
• More about the company: Allerca Lifestyle Pets.
• Who's allergic to what: 2005 Aug 17. Most Americans have allergies. Reuters.
  

Project aims to save cheetahs in Iran

Finally! A story out of the Middle East that doesn't have to do with war, weapons of mass destruction, oil, religion or terrorists. How nice! Unfortunately, the four-year project to try to prevent the extinction of the Asiatic cheetah, of which there are only about 50 left in the central plateau of Iran, sounds like it's got its work cut out for it.

• Peter Zahler. 2005 Aug 28. Footprints in the snow. Wildlife Conservation Magazine, NY, USA.
• More news about endangered wild cats: 2005 Aug 28. Tigers hang tough. Wildlife Conservation Magazine, NY, USA.

Helping pets during Hurricane Katrina

When disaster strikes Noah's Wish, an organization based out of Placerville, Calif., helps to mobilize volunteers to help evacuate, transport and provide temporary shelter and medical care for stranded pets. They help animals during life-threatening events like earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornados and coordinate services to try to reunite pets with their owners.

• Find out how you can prepare for disaster or help others at: Noah's Wish website.
• Watch CNN's inteview with Noah's Wish founder, Terri Crisp: 2005 Aug 28. What about the pets?. CNN.

Meals on Wheels spin-off helps pets in need

The Forsyth County (NC) Animal Shelter and Meals on Wheels team up to help the pets of needy owners by creating a AniMeals, an organization to collect and distribute pet food donations.

• Michael Hewlett. 2005 Aug 29. AniMeals helps pets of needy owners. Winston-Salem Journal, NC, USA.
• More info about AniMeals: Forsyth County Animal Shelter website

Cat's treatment may be cure for cancer

Is a cheap, common jet fuel additive, hydrazine sulfate, capable of curing cancer? It seems to have worked for a cat named Elwood who lived eight years longer than expected after being treated with it.

• Hart Seely. 2005 Aug 29. Does cat's drug offer a cure for cancer?. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Plague in Pet Cats Links

Here are some links to stories and more information about how pet cats get the plague, things you can do to protect your cats and the recent cases of cats with plague:

• PLAGUE IN CATS
  A well-researched article about how cats get the plague, what the signs are, what the treatment for it is and how to avoid the disease in cats.
• State Health Department Issues Warning about Plague in Pet Cats
  California Department of Health's news release about recent cases of plague in cats.
  
• Cat owners warned about plague risk from wild rodents
  An AP story about the recent cases of plague in pet cats in California.

Cat in the Civil War Cannon Legend Debunked?

USS Monitor gun turret being pulled out of the Atlantic Ocean
on Aug. 5, 2002, for the first time in 140 years. (Credit: NOAA)

There's an Associated Press story that has been picked up by several newspapers concerning a Civil War legend involving a sinking ship and a black cat that may or may not have been put into a cannon by a superstitious sailor. You can see it on CNN here:

No sign of legendary cat in Monitor cannon

Scripps Howard News Service has another story about it here:

Research on USS Monitor probably disproves cat story

But the most complete story is from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration who are the ones claiming to have debunked the myth. Their story is at:

USS MONITOR RESEARCHERS DEBUNK 142-YEAR-OLD LEGEND OF 'CAT IN THE CANNON'

It wasn't until I read the NOAA story's complete quote from the sailor that I realized he wasn't trying to harm the cat but save it, keep it dry, maybe get it to stop yowling. At the time, he thought the ship still had a chance, maybe a better one if he helped them stick to a sailor's superstition against killing cats. (Too bad more people don't believe in that one.)

Personally, I think the legend could still be true even though they didn't find any cat bones in the recovered cannon. Cats aren't crazy about being stuck places. It could have gotten out before the ship sank. (And hopefully it safely cat-paddled to shore and took up with some nice land lubbers.)

Special delivery! Kittens survive 2-day shipping

MSNBC.com, USA
Felines accidently sent from South Carolina to Vermont in returned package

Israel to rescue pets from Gaza settlements

MSNBC.com, USA
Horses, dogs, cats, chickens ‘wandering the streets’ after families leave

The pope and the pussycats

MSNBC.com, USA
New leader of the Catholic Church loves felines

Kitty survives jolt, fire and fall from power pole

MSNBC.com, USA
Nevada feline suffered hair loss, but is otherwise fine, firefighters say

Furry friends flock to pet programming

MSNBC.com, USA
Couch-potato dogs and cats are TV's newest audience

Cat slashed with sword

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO, USA
A man has been arrested for attacking a cat named Precious with a sword.

Scientists determine why cats are finicky eaters

MSNBC.com, USA
Genetics leave felines without sweet tooth

Cat proves purrrfect for therapy

Victorville Daily Press, CA, USA
Mikie likes his time in a lap. It's the perfect place for a nap and a scratch.

Cat could hold clues to explosion

Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV, USA
The blood of a cat rescued from the debris of a Kenova apartment may hold clues to the cause of an explosion that leveled two apartments and left several homes damaged.

Plague strikes domestic cat in Tahoe City

Rocklin and Roseville Today, CA, USA
...a domestic cat from Tahoe City had tested positive for plague...

Kitten With 8 Lives Left Looks For Home

NBC4i.com, OH, USA
Nevaeh, a black kitten, crawled into the engine of a truck more than one week ago. ... In fact, doctors said the kitten is ready to go home. ...