Useful Links

Animal Care and Safety

Household products

Cleaning and hygiene products such as bleach, cleaning fluids and creams, deodorants, deodorizers, disinfectants (particularly phenolic compounds like ‘Dettol’ which turn milky in water), laundry capsules and concentrated liquids, furniture and metal polishes. Concentrated washing liquids or powders can burn the feet and skin if cats walk through them.
Human medicines such as laxatives, aspirin, Tylenol, paracetamol and antidepressants. Paracetamol is often given to cats in a caring but misguided attempt to relieve pain. It is highly dangerous to cats and just one tablet is enough to cause severe illness or death. Signs of poisoning include depression, vomiting, swelling of the face and paws and a bluish discoloration of the skin. An effective antidote is available but must be use very soon after the cat has taken the tablet.
Motoring products such as antifreeze, brake fluid, petrol and windscreen washer fluid. Antifreeze often contains ethylene glycol or methanol, which are toxic to cats (also found in car screen washes and de-icers). Many animals find antifreeze sweet tasting, and ingesting even the smallest amount can lead to kidney failure and death, especially in cats.
Beauty products such as hair dyes, nail polish and remover and suntan lotion.
Decorating materials such as paint, varnish, paint remover, white spirit and wood preservatives (such as creosote). These can be poisonous if groomed from the coat or can cause burning, blisters or irritation to the skin and footpads or severe irritation in the mouth.
Miscellaneous household items such as mothballs, photographic developer, chocolate and shoe polish.

Always ensure that any of these products are stored safely and spillages cleaned up immediately and carefully. If products are kept in high places where cats can push them off a shelf and then walk through liquids which escape though broken or split containers or tops, then make sure they are secured in closed cupboards.

Cat Safety: Keeping your companion animals safe from harm.

Cat Care: How to guides.

Adopting – making sure you are a good match – A MUST READ if you are planning to adopt an animal for your family.

Maddie’s Fund – wonderful pet information and research

Plants – Indoor and Outdoor that are toxic to animals (shows non-toxic plants as well)

Cares Cat Shelter – The Truth About Declawing

Pet Education (and behavioral problems)

The Importance of Pets and Companion Animals

Alumni of our programs are often under great amounts of anxiety, depression, and stress. According to the Mental Health Foundation, the companionship that a pet offers is a great way to reduce these issues often associated with recovery from substance abuse. Due to the mental health benefits of pet adoption, we’re trying to spread the word and encourage more people to adopt! Click for more information.