The Cat Hospital

11/01/2024

For Immediate Release - November 1, 2024

Rabies Confirmed in Cat Found in Florence Area

NORTHAMPTON - On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, a feral cat from Northampton, tested positive for rabies at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. The cat was a large, black, long-haired cat found in the area around Clement Street in Florence on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Rabies is a serious disease, so if you’ve had possible exposure, please reach out to medical staff right away. Anyone exposed to the cat’s saliva—whether through a bite, scratch, open wound, feeding, or if saliva got into their eyes or mouth—has had a high-risk exposure and should seek immediate attention.
If you or someone you know had contact with this cat between Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and Saturday, October 26, 2024, please contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (available 24/7 at 617-983-6800) or your health care provider for a risk assessment. Following exposure to rabies, disease can be prevented with prompt administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). People who did not have any contact with the cat are not at risk from rabies.
If you have a pet that may have had contact with the cat, please contact the Northampton Animal Control Officer [email protected] or call the non-emergency dispatch line at 413-587-1100.

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28158/Rabies-Confirmed-in-Cat-Found-in-Florence-Area---November-1-2024-PDF

10/31/2024

And here is Steve! He looks ready to go to market!

10/31/2024

And here's Choco, the Pirate.

10/31/2024

Choco, Steve and Vanilla had fun playing dress up at their annual appointment this week. Such good kitties and such good sports! Here is Vanilla.

10/31/2024

Zeke and Harry hope you and all their fellow Swifties have a fun Halloween! They actually do have a lot going on right now.

10/30/2024

Local colleagues are asking us for help in rehoming a nice cat. Please read and share to help Bo. He has to be the only cat.

Courtesy plea for Bo.
Bo belonged to a very kind elderly woman whom he just adored. He sat by her side almost until her passing. Her wish for Bo was that he remain in the family and a very loving granddaughter stepped in and took him
Unfortunately, Bo has proven that he wants to be the only cat. There is no room to negotiate this and they currently have had to divide their house to keep everyone safe.
But Bo will tolerate dogs and loves all humans. He loves basking in the sun, helping you in the kitchen and keeping you warm, snuggling under the blankets or watching TV.
Bo is between 3-5 yrs old, up to date on his shots and just had a complete physical.
Please message me if you are interested and I will get you in touch with his people
Thank you.

10/29/2024

10/11/2024

Our friends at Dakin are looking for some help! This is a big ask, because you will lose sleep! If you have any interest in bottle raising kittens, here is your chance. It is intensive work, but only for a short time as kittens grow up pretty quickly! Reach out to Dakin for more information and to find out what is involved. Harry says thank you ! He was a bottle babe

Dakin friends, we need your help to care for the most vulnerable of all shelter animals — orphaned infant kittens.

🚨 We are experiencing a CRITICAL need for fosters capable of caring for bottle baby kittens.

The truth — It’s a tough gig. Infant kittens without a mom are very fragile beings. They need to be bottle fed every 2-3 hours around the clock. They need physical stimulation to use the bathroom after feedings (we’ll teach you). They also need a heat source available at all times because kittens this little can’t regulate their own body temperature.

Infant kittens that come to our doors must start receiving care immediately and cannot be left in the shelter overnight. Fostering these kittens SAVES LIVES.

It’s hard, emotional work. It’s also the most beautiful reward when you witness a kitten’s eyes open for the very first time. You’re there when they start to wobble on those tiny feet to explore their surroundings. You track their weight as they grow bigger and stronger. Orphaned kittens have a rough start to life, but because of you, they’ve been given a chance to thrive and find loving homes as big, healthy kittens.

Become a foster for bottle baby kittens now. They need you. All the supplies you need are provided by Dakin. Visit our website or email [email protected] for more information. https://loom.ly/TrSQOqQ

10/10/2024

Halloween will be here soon! Dress up your desk or other space with a cute Spooky Cone, back by popular demand! Some come with removable black cat ornaments for $10 and $8 without ornaments. All proceeds go to the Thomas J. O'Conner Adoption. The two kittens attempting to break into their kitten modeling careers are not available.

10/04/2024

For everyone who has been asking how to help with the animals impacted by Hurricane Helene, here is your opportunity! Dakin will be transporting donations down and returning with displaced animals. Only needed are cat food, dog food and dog toys. See the details in the post. If you drop off at The Cat Hospital Saturday 9 am to noon, or Monday 8 am to 6 pm, we will somehow deliver it to Dakin in time!!

09/18/2024

Here's a little test: which of the following is Evan's best feature? A) his tail. B) his leg's racing stripe C) his super cute face D) his poly paws, or E). All of the above. He was visiting today for his big kid surgery.

09/17/2024

An oh my goodness true story!

09/13/2024

We can't believe these little guys will be celebrating their 7 th birthdays tomorrow morning! Harry and Zeke politely declined cake and ice cream that early, but agreed to Saturday morning donuts. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and wish them a Happy Purrth-day, and grab a donut. We will be here until noon, and as they say, while supplies last.

09/02/2024

The Cat Hospital will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2nd. We have our regular hours the rest of the week.
-- Harry and Zeke

08/22/2024

When you are here for your neuter surgery and you can't make up your mind because there are too many toy choices, some kittens go with safe and predictable. Here's Bear, picking out his toy bear.

08/09/2024

Our Cat Hospital foster cat alum, Mitch, likes to scratch the underside of furniture. We don't understand .. he was purrfect when he lived here! Never ruined our sofa... oh wait, we don't have one.

08/07/2024

Mia, Dr. R's foster cat, has no bad habits except for stealing phones and taking
selfies! Rumor has it that she is listed on some very important adoption papers that will be signed on Thursday....welcome Mia Anne Ricksgers!

07/26/2024

Harry's turn

07/25/2024

Zeke!

07/18/2024

UPDATE!! Moxie the scoundrel was found. He was actually lost in the house! Silly boy.

Missing indoor cat in Florence! Please be on the lookout for this indoor cat who escaped from his home today on Straw Ave. His name is Moxie and he is very food motivated. He might go into your garage with a food tease. Do not chase. He potentially could be grumpy.

07/05/2024

Today we met this sweet set of sisters: Lavender, Grace Jones and Turtle! Aren't they stunning?

06/30/2024

Hopefully I can make this shareable. If not, grab a copy of The New York Times today to read about former Cat Hospital staffer, Dr. Meg Andeer and her cat Everett! Even cat blood banks have a difficult time with rare blood types. Everett is okay now!!

Transfusions have become an important part of veterinary medicine, but cat and dog blood is not always easy to come by.

06/18/2024

Phones are back on! Thanks to the hard workers in this heat! Cutie pie Powder for you to admire

06/18/2024

We all of a sudden have no power! There was a loud POP noise outside, and now no electricity except our emergency lighting! Which means no phone either. Hopefully it will come back soon. Harry is happy though to have darkness for his afternoon nap.

06/13/2024

The Cat Hospital went on a field trip! Dr. R wanted to go to a cat cafe and they are all 2 hours from here. Then she had a scathingly brilliant idea...what if we all went? Kaleigh was hoping to see Lauren in Rhode Island before they both went their separate ways to different vet schools in the fall... and a surprise party idea was formed!! All together, 11 Cat Hospital peeps (current and alumni) made their way to RI to meet the cats at Bajah Cat Cafe, surprise Lauren, drink coffee and later eat Brazilian pizza and flan! Who has been to a cat cafe?