Fifty minutes. That’s all it took for a mile-wide tornado with wind speeds as strong as 210 mph to destroy hundreds of homes and businesses in and around the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore. The devastating storm injured more than 200 people and killed at least 24, as well as left multitudes of people and animals without homes. 

As survivors begin to dig their way out and sort through the wreckage, a dedicated group of volunteers and animal lovers has rallied to help reunite displaced pets with their families. 

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A firefighter rescues a cat following the devastating tornado in Oklahoma.

Via the Moore Oklahoma Tornado Lost and Found Animals Facebook page, volunteers have been working nonstop since the storm to post and share photos and descriptions of wayward animals including cats and dogs as well as birds and livestock. 

If you live in the area and you’ve lost a pet, the Lost and Found Animals page recommends posting a good color photo and/or a good description, including details such as collars, markings, and microchips. Be sure to include your city, state, and neighborhood. Your post will be shared, so include contact information.

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Fliers such as this have helped reunite displaced pets with their families.

If you’ve found a pet, the group recommends posting all of the same information but not a photo. According to the page, “people take advantage of tragedies such as this and try to claim pets that are not theirs,” so people must describe their pets before claiming them.

Thanks to tireless networking and sharing, the volunteers' efforts have led to numerous happy reunions in the wake of the disaster.

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A lost dog is reunited with his family.

If you don’t live in the area but still want to help, many organizations in need of donations are linked on the Moore Oklahoma Tornado Lost and Found Animals Facebook page. One easy way to help overall relief efforts is to text REDCROSS to 90999, which donates $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

And if you haven’t cried yet today, check out this video of an elderly woman finding her lost dog amidst the rubble of her home during a television interview. Seriously -- get out your tissues. 

Additional resources:

• Animal Resource Center Inc. is offering shelter to people and pets displaced by the storm. 
• The OKC Lost Pets blog is also helping reunite people with their pets. 
• RedRover Relief offers financial assistance for emergency veterinary care.
• The Oklahoma Humane Society is working to treat, shelter, and return lost pets to their families.

Top image by Shutterstock.com; all other photos from the Moore Oklahoma Tornado Lost and Found Animals Facebook page. 

My cat died about a month ago. It’s awful news. The kind of news you want to crawl up with for a week and beg to go away. The kind of news that can turn a six-year-old rerun of Scrubs into a tear-jerker, or a commercial featuring the Charmin Ultra-Soft bears into a poignant statement on the fragility of life. It is, to be sure, the sort of thing a comedy writer like me should not go anywhere near, but I wrote about her so often here that I felt it wrong to keep it to myself.

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Cheese, still adorable to the end.

Invariably, my most popular articles have been about Cheese the Cat. Whether I was coming out of the closet as a male cat lover, or narrating her opinions of my female callers, or nominating her to be the Pope of the Catholic Church, it was clear that the internet loved Cheese. Not as much as I did, of course, but she’s never licked your noses, so really what chance did you have? My Cheese writing reached so far that I was once stopped in a bar and asked, “Hey, you’re that guy who can’t stop writing about your cat, right?” Not necessarily the description that every joke writer is looking for, but I rushed home to tell Cheese about it anyway.

Is that weird, in light of that fact that she can’t speak English, or even, you know, Human Being? Probably, but I could tell she was proud, as she celebrated with a particularly vigorous licking of the butt. So vigorous it would’ve made even the Charmin bears blush. Besides, I’m pretty sure I rocketed past weird a long time ago. Such is the life of a man whose best friend is his kitty cat.

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Obviously Cheese doesn't type -- she just channeled herself through me. Tabby and antique typewriter by Shutterstock

So I felt I needed to write one more Cheese piece, but didn’t really know how to approach it. I started writing something more somber, but really that wasn’t my cat’s style. She had an attitude, and her favorite thing to do was sneeze in my food the moment I sat down to eat. So here now is Cheese’s Last Will and Testament, as she would’ve liked it written ...

I, Cheese, of sound mind and particularly impressive body for a cat my age, hereby declare this to be my last will and testament

I hereby bequeath the following belongings to the mentioned parties. Hope you’re not expecting any cash, because I blew the last of my savings on a raging tuna party before I passed on. Tough crap. Get a job, you flunkies.

To the Sun: God, I love you, Sun. So hot, so relentless. I loved to sit in you until I was warm to the touch, then sit there for an hour longer, just to let the birds know who’s boss.

To you, I leave the stupid collar he made me wear that was just as incessant as your heat. Little tip: If you meow a bunch he’ll take it off for an hour. He’s a total softy.

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Cheese soaks up the sunshine and ignores the birds.

To Cans of Mush: Only late in my life did I realize that you, Mush, were considered “food.” I mean, sure, I ate you, but I’m a friggin’ cat. I’ll eat a bug if you let me, that doesn’t make it haute cuisine.

To you, I leave my beloved turkey slices, just so you know what real food is supposed to taste like. I hear in heaven the roads are paved with turkey slices and mouthfuls of houseplant. Side note: Stop pretending you have flavors. Chicken & Salmon Pate? Please. More like Salty Mush Combined With Other Salty Mush in a different color can.

To My Litterbox: We had some good together times, brotha. Remember when he tried to train me to use the actual toilet? Humans, am I right? I leave you the greatest gift of all: the absence of pee. Enjoy!

To My Brown Blanket: Blanket, you were always there to hide under when threatening events occurred, like the visit of a repairman or rain. I leave you clumps of fur that will probably never be cleaned, because let’s be honest, he’s not exactly a neat freak.

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Brown Blanket, you were good to me.

To the Expression “the Cat’s Out of the Bag”: That’s messed up. You ever put me in a bag, I’ll rip your face off. I’m not leaving you anything.

To the Neighbor with the Purple Flowers: It WAS me eating your flowers every weekend and then throwing up purple stuff next to them. Brian totally lied. Like I said, total softy! To you, I leave an earnest apology, and the heartfelt promise that it was worth it every time.

To the Bathtub: I just don’t get you, Bathtub. You’re filled with water? Do you know how awful water is? It’s so ... wet. And awful. And wet. Sometimes I’d see him lying in you and just meow hysterically at the insanity of it all. Who lies in water? Freaks, that’s who. I leave you a towel to dry yourself off, for god’s sake.

To Dogs: I leave to you an extended middle finger of the paw, motherf’ers. Extended middle finger of the paw.

To Other Cats: See above. Also, hiss.

To My Readers: Thank you for liking his articles and making him think he had anything to do with it. It was sweet of you, but we both know I was sitting on his lap for every word he ever wrote. The best bits were all Cheese, baby. And did I get a share of the profits? No, I did not. Unless ear scratches and talking in a baby voice became US currency all of a sudden.

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Cheese didn't enjoy bathtubs, but she always dug the faucet.

To Him: I know you’re sad right now. That you’ve probably been crying all week. And that you can’t imagine doing any of the things we did together by yourself. But it’ll be okay. You’ll get another cat soon, and you guys can watch Shark Tank together, and cuddle in bed all day, and write your silly nonsense while she curls up happily on your sweatpant-covered lap. (By the way, you know you’re allowed to wear real pants sometimes, right?) She won’t be anywhere near as good as me, but after a while, it will be okay. And maybe in time you can love her just as much. Not instead of me, but right along with it.

I’m sorry for all the times I woke you at dawn for breakfast, or meowed at the door while you were doing your sexy making, and that I couldn’t hang out forever and ever. I just got too tired. But I feel better now, and I hope you do too. I leave you 100 forehead nuzzles, and an eternity of purring naps on your stomach. It’ll be better soon, I promise.

Oh, and when you get that new kitty, make sure she stays away from Brown Blanket. That shit’s mine forever. 

More articles by Brian Donovan: 

• And the Next Pope Is ... This Cat!
• Confessions of a Male Cat Owner
• How to Give Your Cat a Pill in 12 Easy Steps
• A Cat Person's Guide to Dating

Caity Weaver had some time to kill, so she did a little Internet trolling. “@Seamless and I had already been chatting because I was trying to game them out of a $7 friend-referral fee,” she writes in her Gawker post. (warning: NSFW language.)

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“Don't want 2 put you in an awk position but my cat died today (RIP Houdini) so please be sensitive to that & don't burn me on this,” she tweeted.

Yup, that’s right: Weaver entreated Seamless to give her a $7 coupon she didn’t earn and used the death of her cat as a sympathy ploy.

Seamless replied to her tweet, “RIP Houdini :(. Was it his dying wish that you get a $7 coupon?”

To which she responded, “HOLY F---ING BALLS ARE YOU REALLY MAKING A JOKE ABOUT MY DEAD CAT RIGHT NOW” [sic]

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It got worse from there. Seamless continued to be flippant (”Yeah, did you like [the joke about your dead cat]?”) and Weaver continued to invoke CAPSLOCK OF RAGE (“PENULTIMATE DYING WISH: NOT TO BECOME A PUNCHLINE FOR AN INTERNET FOOD ORDERING COMPANY ON THEIR CORPORATE TWITTER ACCOUNT”).

When I heard about this, my sympathies were firmly on Weaver’s side. After all, I know how much it hurts to lose a beloved cat and how much greater that hurt becomes when someone makes light of your grief.

Seamless didn’t exactly endear itself to me, either. There are times when it’s appropriate to throw snark and times when it’s not, and immediately after the death of a family member definitely falls in the “times when it’s not” category.

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But when I read the post again, I caught something I hadn’t noticed before -- which was that Weaver confessed that she was trying to scam Seamless out of a $7 coupon for no other apparent reason than that she "had 20 minutes to kill before Mad Men started and they had $7 coups to give away." When it seemed like Seamless wasn’t going to buy her initial argument, she brought the dead cat into the story.

When Seamless did finally acknowledge that its response to Weaver’s tweets might have been a little tone-deaf, it did try to make things better: “Sorry. Not all of our jokes are purrfect. Our thoughts and prayers are with you right meow in this trying time.”

Weaver freaked out yet again and accused Seamless’s Twitter handler of being "a dick."

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Was Weaver’s reaction really based in heartbreak, or was it a middle-school-level manipulation tactic? Was she genuinely grieving, or was she just scheming? I don’t know, but I’m pretty suspicious given that the whole exchange seems to have been inspired by boredom.

There was plenty of douchebaggery on both sides of the Weaver vs. Seamless kerfuffle, but I’m convinced that neither side was right. Regardless, I do send my condolences and compassion to Caity Weaver on the death of her beloved Houdini, and a sternly worded memo to Seamless that there really are things you just shouldn’t joke about … like the death of someone’s beloved family pet.

What do you think? Who’s right? Who’s wrong? What would you do in a situation like this?

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About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

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Phoebe likes to play musical laundry baskets.

Personally, I don't see the big deal about baskets. The pile of clothing itself is far more comfy than folding myself up like a won ton in a plastic container. Trust me, I tried.

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I think warm laundry feels just fine without a basket. But then again, I'm not a cat.

Cats, on the other hand, somehow find a multitude of reasons why they think baskets are just plain awesome. Here are six of them:

1. Peep holes

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"I see you eating a second cupcake." Photo by candycanedisco

Cats are pretty sneaky, and the holes that usually line the sides of laundry baskets are the perfect little windows for kitties to keep tabs on the goings-on in the house. This is how they know we've left our pizza and glasses of water unattended.

2. You see nothing

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Phoebe: "I'm invisible."

Cats think tall baskets make them invisible. The funny part is, they don't realize the whole basket is usually covered with holes, so they really aren't hiding much at all. We won't tell them that, though. I often open the closet door and find Phoebe sitting in the basket just like this. Sometimes she's even sitting in complete darkness. Why? Cats are so weird.

3. Close quarters

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"A little privacy, please." Photo by Patrick Hoesly

Laundry baskets provide the perfect hideaway for clandestine cuddles. Cats love tight spaces and a cozy plastic love nest is just begging for up close and personal feline-to-feline fondling, bathing, and catnaps. At a friend's house, I once saw three cats chillin' in a rectangular laundry basket. When I approached them, they exited that thing like clowns piling out of a tiny car. Cue circus music! It was high-larious.

4. Expandable lounge area

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Phoebe loves the armholes.

Yes, cats love the tight quarters a laundry basket provides, but sometimes they feel the need to stretch a bit. Thank heaven for holes! There are no shortages of little openings all over most of these baskets, so kitty can expand her lounging space. They must keep in mind, however, that any protruding limb is fair game for humans to grab, kiss, or squeeze. And yes, we know where those feet have been. In the above photo, do you see Saffy sitting on the sofa, watching Phoebe leisurely lounge? That cat's sick with jealousy. She wants armholes of her own.

5. Howdy, neighbor!

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"Can I borrow a cup of catnip?" Photo by oskay

Side-by-side baskets present loads of opportunities for cats to play "pretend." They could imagine they're neighbors and gossip through the "windows." They'd borrow cups of catnip and plan neighborhood block parties. They could also pretend they're in the big house, play the harmonica, and bang their metal cup against the "bars." They'd pass bootleg nip and plan cell-block parties. What? You don't think cats can play the harmonica?

6. The rare-and-endangered "double stack"

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Phoebe: "If one basket is good, then ..."

Cats don't want to be greedy, but -- hold on, of course they want to be greedy! Who's more self-centered than a cat? A basket full of fresh laundry is the bomb, but the rare double-stack basket is a veritable explosion of comfort! I can just hear my cat settle down into the cushy luxury: "Ohhhh, my precious ..."  The above picture is also photographic evidence that I always need to fold laundry. As you can see, Phoebe obviously disagrees.

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I wanted to take a photo of Saffy in the basket. So of course, she suddenly doesn't like baskets.

Why does your cat love laundry baskets? Tell us about it in the comments!

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About the Author: Angie Bailey is a weird girl with freckles and giant smile who wants everyone to be her friend. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, and thinking about cats doing people things. Wrote a ridiculous humor book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that may or may not offend people. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.

Read more by Angie Bailey:

• My Cat Has a Bucket List With 8 Items on It
• 6 Cats Caught in the Act
• 8 Bumper Stickers Your Cat Would Put on His Car

Here’s a run-down of eight common kitty stereotypes.

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Orange tabby cat by Shutterstock

1. Ginger cats are more friendly than others

Maybe it’s because of Garfield the cat, or maybe it’s because people just seem to know more orange cats (whether they’re straight-up orange or orange tabby) and associate them with good experiences, but lots of people think ginger kitties make the ideal family pet.

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Once Kissy overcame her deepest trauma, she was a sweet and loving companion who loved to curl up with me after a long day.

2. But wait! Ginger cats are also thought of as more aggressive and flighty

I’m guessing this belief is a corollary of the stereotype that red-haired humans are hot-tempered and moody. Those poor ginger females are apparently in a constant state of PMS and ginger males are like the guys that get in huge fights every time they go out to a bar. Totally miserable roommates, right?

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Rosie says she's not arrogant, she's just misunderstood ... and a little shy. Photo by JaneA Kelley

3. White cats are snobs

Blame that cat food commercial with the white Persian eating gourmet food out of a crystal bowl for this one. Some research has revealed that white cats tend to be more timid than cats of other colors, and if you were a shy kid like I was, you probably got called a snob because your fear of approaching people was mistaken for arrogance and condescension.

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Calico cat on a roof by Shutterstock

4. Torties and calicos are stubborn and temperamental

Ah, this myth rears its ugly head again. The truth is that people who think a cat is going to have a certain temperament will approach that cat with the expectation of that behavior. And then there's the classic “Texas Sharpshooter” logical fallacy -- finding a pattern to fit a presumption -- which causes people to chalk up perfectly normal cat behavior to “tortitude."

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Too bad black cats like my Bella are always up to no good. Photo by JaneA Kelley

5. Black cats are untrustworthy

The poor black cat has earned an unjust reputation of being stubborn, suspicious, and even evil. Having grown up with black cats and met many of them in shelters, I’ve seen that they’re loyal to a fault, good-natured, and perhaps a bit shy depending on their early kittenhood experience.

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Woman and Siamese cat by Shutterstock

6. Siamese cats are crazy and demanding

If you’ve ever seen a Siamese cat in heat, you can probably understand where this misguided belief arose. While Meezers usually do stay close to their favorite person, it’s not from a demanding and needy nature, but from a deep connection. They may even pine for their human companions when left alone.

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This guy is the spittin' image of my Purr Bear, who, by the way, was quite intelligent! Tuxedo cat by Shutterstock

7. Tuxedo cats aren’t very smart

While Sylvester the cat of Looney Tunes fame is not exactly the sharpest claw on the paw, there’s no evidence to support the belief that tuxedo kitties are less intelligent than others.

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Tabby cats can get pretty nasty, too! Hissing cat by Shutterstock

8. Tabby cats love everyone

While my tabby boy, Thomas, is a lover and not a fighter, I’ve seen some pretty vicious barn cats and terrified-to-the-point-of-trembling shelter cats with stripy or blotchy fur.

Do your cats fit these stereotypes, or don’t they? Have you seen other kitty “racial profiles"? Share your thoughts (and pictures of your feline family) in the comments!

About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

More on cats and behavior: 

• Do Tortoiseshell Cats Really Have "Tortitude"?
• 5 Reasons Calico Cats Are Endlessly Interesting to Me
• A New Study Shows People Judge Cats By Coat Color
• I'm SO Over the Myth of Black Cats as Bad Luck. Are You?

Two idiots, to be exact: my gray tabby, Bubba Lee Kinsey, and my calico, Phoenix.

They are probably my favorite living things on this planet, but if Phoenix was human, I suspect she’d be a ditzy cheerleader. Bubba would be a refrigerator-sized meathead occupying the corner stool at the local dive bar.

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Bubba Lee Kinsey is smart enough not to be amused by my penchant for selfies.

I am, however, judging them by human standards. It is probably unreasonable, due to the language barrier, for me to expect my kitties to understand the phrase, “But I’m TIRED!” when they wake me up to be fed at 5 a.m. I’ve also got to consider that evolution and not sheer persistent lunacy is at play when they act scared of the vacuum cleaner even though it has never hurt them.

That’s why I decided to give my cats a few intelligence tests that are more on their level. I know the entire notion of whether these mysterious, aloof beasts can even be tested for intelligence is up for debate, but I still thought it would be a fun experiment. Here are the results.

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Is Bubba Lee Kinsey smart enough to find the treats after I've hidden them?

Test 1: kitty vs. blanket

Since there are not many cat-specific intelligence tests out there (apparently these creatures defy logic and explanation), I adapted this one from a test intended for dogs. I figured it would still be valid since both are intended to test spatial reasoning and problem solving. (Please note that I use the term “valid” loosely, as the primary purpose of these tests is entertainment at the expense of my cats.)

First, you need a blanket and an unsuspecting cat.

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Bubba Lee Kinsey has no idea what awaits him.

Make sure the cat is awake and alert, then cover her with the blanket and time how long it takes her to puzzle her way out.

The first time, I covered Phoenix with a full-size blanket, which proved to be too much for her. After about 45 seconds, I felt bad and had to help her. Fair enough, I thought -- after all, I always panicked when I got caught beneath the giant parachute in elementary school gym class.

So, the second time I folded the blanket in half. And Phoenix curled up underneath it and started purring.

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Phoenix failed this particular test.

Well, that can’t be good. To be honest, though, burrowing under the blankets of my freshly made bed is one of her favorite pastimes.

Bubba Lee Kinsey, however, found his way out within ten seconds. Good job, Bubba!

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Way to go, Bubba Lee Kinsey!

Test 2: kitty vs. treats

For this one, you need kitty treats, a clear glass, and an unsuspecting cat.

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Again, Bubba has no idea.

Show the cat the treats. Let her smell them -- and perhaps even lick them a bit. Then let her watch as you put the treats beneath the clear glass, where she can still see them, and time how long it takes her to retrieve the treats from beneath the glass.

Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix both failed this test rather miserably. Bubba thought begging me for more treats was the answer.

Meanwhile, Phoenix just gave up.

Test 3: online quizzes

According to this online quiz, here are some things to consider when gauging your cat’s intelligence:

• How is your cat’s long-term memory? Does she flee at the sight of the pet carrier? (Both of my cats do.)
• Has your cat ever learned how to do something, like open a cupboard or flush the toilet, just by watching you do it? (My cats, thankfully, have not.)
• If you move your cat’s litter box or food dish, how long does it take her to figure out the new location? (Mine figure it out almost immediately.)
• If your cat sees a bird through the window, does she bang her head against the glass trying to catch it, or does she ask to be let outside? (My cats are not allowed outside, but they do not act as though catching the bird through the window is a real possibility.)
• How does your cat act if the litter box needs cleaning? (My Phoenix will wait until I’m near the litter box, and she’ll stand in front of it, look up at me, and meow pathetically.)

Here’s another silly test you can take online. I took it for both of my cats, and they both fell in the “average” category -- which sounds just about right.

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All quizzing and testing aside, I love my cats even if they’re idiots -- especially if they’re idiots. When I look in their eyes, I see soul and understanding, and that is enough for me.

Also, they’re smart enough to use the litter box. That helps, too. 

Have you ever given your cat a test like these? How did she do? Does it even matter? Let us know in the comments!

About Angela: This not-crazy-at-all cat lady loves to lint-roll her favorite dress and go out dancing. She also frequents the gym, the vegan coffee joint, and the warm patch of sunlight on the living room floor. She enjoys a good cat rescue story about kindness and decency overcoming the odds, and she's an enthusiastic recipient of headbutts and purrs from her two cats, Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix.

More by Angela Lutz:

• 5 Fascinating Facts About Polydactyl Cats
• 5 Reasons to Love Your Cats' Kneading You
• 5 Reasons You Should Play with Your Cat Every Day

Today's column touches on an equally difficult concept regarding cats and health: vaccines. If you are looking for a simple answer, prepare to be disappointed. Vaccines are complicated, and no honest and knowledgeable person can make them simple. In fact, in the realm of vaccines, claims of simplicity are a sign of either ignorance or deceit. Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that the matter is complex either doesn't understand it or is lying to push an agenda.

About 25 years ago, vaccines were simple. Give every cat every shot every year and you couldn't go wrong. Or so the thinking went.

But in 1991, investigators at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine noticed that cats were developing aggressive cancers called sarcomas between their shoulders. This area happened to be the spot where cats most frequently received vaccines. Further studies established a probable causal link between vaccines and these so-called vaccine-associated sarcomas.

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Vet immunizing a cat by Shutterstock.

This discovery shocked the world of veterinary medicine. It caused a great deal of soul searching in many vets, and it caused a significant rift between the soul-searching vets and the vets (most of whom were older, and most of whom are no longer practicing) who frankly didn't care. I know more than one colleague who quit a job in part because her boss insisted that she recommend every vaccine for every cat every year.

Above all, remember that the subject is complex. I have twice seen leading experts on vaccination nearly come to fisticuffs when debating vaccine frequency in cats. But is there some way to tease out some clarity in this situation? Although there is no simple answer when it comes to vaccines and their frequency, there are some guiding principles that can be used.

1. Some vaccines are more important than others

In my mind, there are really only three vaccines that should be considered for most cats: rabies, FVRCP (which protects against deadly panleukopenia, and also may help to prevent certain respiratory diseases), and leukemia. The coronavirus vaccine (which may offer some protection against feline infectious peritonitis) may be considered for cats in rare circumstances. Other vaccines, such as those against Bordetella, FIV/feline AIDS, and ringworm (which is off the market at this time) appear to offer minimal benefit or efficacy.

2. Even the important vaccines might not be appropriate for all cats

Elderly cats are not at significant risk of panleukopenia. Indoor cats are not at risk of feline leukemia.

3. Timetables have changed 

After a lengthy battle, the proponents of annual vaccination for cats are in full retreat. Most reputable organizations (such as the American Animal Hospital Association and many vet schools) recommend vaccination every three years at most. However, this is just a guideline; actual vaccination schedules must be individually tailored.

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Kitten gets vaccine by Shutterstock.

4. Younger cats need vaccines more than older cats

This is true despite the fact that over-vaccination can have negative consequences. Unvaccinated kittens succumb to panleukopenia at horrifying rates, but panleukopenia is essentially unheard of in 18-year-old cats. Similarly, leukemia is a much greater threat in younger cats than in older ones.

5. Outdoor cats need more vaccines than indoor cats

This applies most specifically to the vaccine for feline leukemia virus. The simplest way to avoid this dreaded disease is to keep your cat indoors. If your cat goes outside, then the benefits of leukemia vaccination likely outweigh the risks, especially when he is young.

6. Be wary of non-adjuvanted vaccines

One company has produced vaccines that do not contain a product called "adjuvant." The purpose of adjuvant is to increase the immune system's response to vaccines. Some people have theorized that adjuvant contributes to the development of sarcomas. However, I have never seen any solid evidence that non-adjuvanted vaccines are safer. A recent major study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association discredited the notion that adjuvant plays a significant role in the development of sarcomas. And, to make matters worse, the non-adjuvanted vaccines must be given annually rather than triennially in order to fulfill the recommendations of the manufacturer. I am very reluctant to believe that these vaccines are three times less likely to cause sarcomas. Unfortunately that is the threshold they need to cross, since they're given three times as often as the annual adjuvanted vaccines.

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Orange cat awaits treatment by Shutterstock.

7. Rabies is a special case 

The vaccine is required by law for cats in some jurisdictions but not in others. Rabies also is zoonotic -- this means it can spread from cats to humans. And it has the dubious distinction of being the deadliest virus on earth. The rabies vaccine unfortunately appears to cause sarcomas at a higher rate than the FVRCP. These many facets of rabies vaccination must be considered whenever a cat is evaluated for vaccines. Parents of young children may elect to vaccinate their cats for rabies while single adults may not. Cats who go outside and hunt will be at greater risk of exposure to rabies; the vaccine should be considered more seriously in these individuals. However, even indoor cats may be exposed to rabies. Odd though it may sound, rabid bats have been known to expose indoor-only cats to the terrible virus after they fly through windows or down chimneys.

8. Sarcomas are a rare but real threat

Although rabies and leukemia vaccines appear to be most likely to cause sarcomas, no vaccine -- in fact, no injection -- is free of risk. The risk of sarcomas, as well as other rare but possible negative consequences of vaccination, must be weighed against the benefits of any vaccine.

So, what should you do? I have two suggestions. First, keep your cat indoors. This will reduce the need for leukemia vaccination and will make the matter simpler. Second, find a good vet. Good vets will be happy to take the time to discuss the nuances of these issues and to consider your cat's unique circumstances before making vaccine recommendations. Beware of anyone who tries to make this matter sound simple or clear-cut.

In the end, remember that it is you, and you alone, who must make the decisions. Your best bet is to be as knowledgeable as possible before making them. However, I have a word of warning for you: The more you know about vaccines, the more complicated and difficult this subject becomes.

Other stories by Dr. Eric Barchas:

• You Might Be Your Vet's Worst Client and Not Know It
• Are Hairballs Truly Coughed Up? Let's Talk Myth vs. Fact
• A "Day" in the Life of an Emergency Vet Is Actually a Night Shift

Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)

Whenever I hear stories about wildfires, I remember how scared I was that day. I can only imagine how much more terrifying it is when the fire is in your back yard. Here's some advice on what to consider for your cats during wildfire season.

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Even if the wildfire is nowhere near you, the smoke can be a huge problem, particularly for cats (and people) with respiratory problems. Photo: Thick smoke from a raging wildfire by Shutterstock.com.

Smoke Signals

Even if you don't live near a wildfire, the smoke can be extremely harmful. If yous is an outdoor cat, keep her indoors, no matter how much she begs to go out. This is especially true if your cat has respiratory problems. Not only will this protect her lungs, it'll be easier for you to find your kitty if you have to evacuate.

Have a Go-Bag and a Go-Place

Regardless of whether you're being told to evacuate, have a "go bag" ready -- you never know when the wind might bring the fires to your area. Put your cat's carrier and a tote or other bag containing food supplies, medications, a litter box, and other necessities near the door. Visit the ASPCA's disaster preparedness page to find out what you should have in your evacuation kit.

Know where you will go if you have to evacuate. Many disaster shelters don't accept animals, so have an alternate plan such as the home of a friend or relative, a pet-friendly hotel, or a pet shelter or boarding facility.

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Man rescuing a Maine Coon cat by Shutterstock.com.

Charge It Up

If you have a cell phone, make sure it's fully charged. If power goes out and your battery dies, you won't be able to call for help if you need it.

Gas Up and Map It

If you drive and you know a wildfire is in your area, make sure your vehicle's gas tank is at least half full. A disaster might knock out power, rendering gas pumps inoperative.

Have a road atlas or GPS device so you can use surface roads and back roads rather than freeways to get to safety if necessary. If you don't have a vehicle, research other evacuation methods beforehand and make sure that you can take your cat on a bus or other commercial carrier.

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Travel bags and pet carrier by Shutterstock

If You Do Have To Evacuate

If the fire is near your home, cover your cat's carrier with a wet towel to keep flying embers from burning her fur as you go from your home to your vehicle.

Above all, don't panic. You have to keep your head, at least until you reach safety. Once you're safe, you can cry and tremble all you need to.

Check out this non-animal-related wildfire safety website to keep your home and property safe, too.

So I put out a call for cat men and received the photos and stories below. This is my take on cat men and why I think they’re the best men around.

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Me with Gator, a friend's cat.

I asked an ex of mine why men love dogs, given they personify all that is deemed undesirable in the opposite sex -- needy, dependent, requiring constant validation, easily excitable, unable to contain emotions (not to mention the love of snuggle time). He replied, “They don’t talk, and you always have the option of putting them outside.” Ouch!

An acquaintance once asked her dad, “Why do most men hate cats?” He responded (apparently not missing a beat), “I think they remind us too much of smart-ass women.”

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Teyu with Momcat. He says, “Contrary to what many of my coworkers might think, being a cat owner takes more of a man than the average twentysomething single Marine!"

Both these anecdotes speak of the desire for an ever-obedient, adoring, and controllable female partner. What, then, can we extrapolate about the man who loves cats? What kind of person is he, and what type of partner does he want? Let's break it down.

1. He's secure with his sexuality

We grow up learning that dogs are for boys, and cats for girls. Even today, pet companies may venture so far as to show a woman or girl with dogs, but few portray a man or boy with cats.

The man who is public about his cat-love is secure enough in his masculinity to go against social norms and express his love for an animal that is viewed as “soft” and “feminine” (which I have yet to understand, given most cats are anything but -- but that’s another post!).

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Paul Klusman and his cat, Zoey.

A few years ago, the New York Times ran an article about the increasing number of straight cat-owning men. Paul Klusman, an engineer who made the "Engineer's Guide to Cats" video (below) featuring his three cats, believes, “Any single, straight man who has the slightest bit of insecurity about his own sexuality will probably find it difficult to admit to owning or even appreciating cats.”

Elizabeth Daza, a 28-year-old Manhattan resident who has dated cat-owning men, is quoted in the same article as saying, “Straight men with cats seem to be really secure and stable. They don’t need to be running around the park and proving their masculinity like the dog guys.”

2. He's confident about his place in the world

The dog is the “insecure man’s best friend,” believes Mr. Scalia, a cat-owning science-fiction writer. “The dog is in effect, your wingman. If you’re feeling insecure about your space in the world, you get a dog because he will always back you up.” 

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Mark with Riblet. His girlfriend says, "Mark works close to my home and even plays with my cats on his lunch break.”

It’s true that dogs are ready and willing to provide unconditional love on-demand and are trusting to a fault. This has been proven in barbaric experiments where dogs were tortured by their scientist-owners and continued to trust their master to their death -- literally licking the hand that killed them.

Cats don’t do adoration. The man with a cat is comfortable with love and affection that isn’t always on his terms. In Mr. Scalia’s words, the man who loves cats “is secure within himself,” asserting that he is, after all “sharing his space with a predator.”

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David says, “I love Joey so much that if someone offered me $50,000 for him, I wouldn’t take it.”

3. He's evolved

To put it bluntly, a man who dislikes cats may be a man who dislikes gays. Both are fearful of what the feline/homosexual represent in themselves, which they are not at terms with and reject. The man who loves cats is in touch with and accepts all aspects of his being –- even those that might be viewed as “feminine.”

Stacy Mantle, the founder of Pets Weekly, goes so far as to note that “it’s the unevolved members of the species who tend toward abuse of cats -- and oftentimes, women and children.” It is her belief that men are becoming “cat literate” because more and more men are themselves evolving.

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Jed and Shadow have a mutual adoration. Jed's business partner says, "If Jed is Superman, cats are his kryptonite.”

I asked 15 of my female friends -- cat-owning and not -- to list the adjectives that came to mind when they thought about a cat-owning man. I was pleasantly surprised that “deep,” “wise,” and “introspective” came up numerous times. These words were not associated with dog-owning men (because I asked about that, too). Maybe we can convince Men and Cats to create a “single with cat” section?

4. He is patient and accepting 

“Calm,” “patient,” “nurturing,” “easygoing,” “not controlling.” These are some of the descriptors my girlfriends attribute to the cat-loving male. And frankly, it makes sense.

Dogs are obedient and faithful by nature, but a cat’s love must be earned. Cats provide affection on their timeline -- not yours. When you first bring a cat home, chances are it’s going straight under the closest bed or sofa. Days might go by before the little critter comes out, let alone shares the sofa with you.

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Dan's girlfriend says, "I left Dan and Bosco together for three weeks while I traveled to the UK. Apparently Bosco didn’t even notice I was gone!”

The man who likes cats knows to speak softly and kindly to the animal, to bring it food and give it space and time. He knows that as long as he doesn’t scare him or force him, soon enough the cat will be rubbing against him purring and curling up on the sofa to watch TV.

Arnold Leo, a commercial fisherman with a penchant for cats, put it best. “You can get cats to do what you want if you draw them into it,” he told the New York Times. ”It’s a question of attraction rather than intimidation.”’

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Ted says, "I love it when Birdie chooses to come to me when my girlfriend is pining for her attention. Maybe it's because I feed her crunchies (dry food) when my girlfriend isn't looking!"

That’s what I want in a man: someone who doesn’t come on too strong and who has the patience to get to know me and accepts me for who I am.

So, let’s recap

Men who like cats are comfortable with themselves and their sexuality and are in-touch with their “feminine” side. They are patient, easygoing, and accepting. They can love even when it’s not always on their terms. They are not controlling, but rather accept and appreciate things as they are.

I believe wholeheartedly that the cat-loving man is in fact the perfect mate for the opinionated, loving, and independent single woman. What do you think? Does my assessment of the cat-loving man ring true? Have you found the perfect cat-loving man? Let's hear it in the comments!

Read more on men and cats: 

• So REAL Men Love Cats, Do They? Give Me a Break.
• Are Eligible Men Who Love Cats Rarer Than Unicorns?
• Watch These Cats Show Male Models How It's Done
• Hey, Cat Ladies, I'm an Eligible Cat-Loving Bachelor! 

As an elementary school teacher, I'm always hearing about the importance of helping our students become "well-rounded." I do my part at school by implementing various teaching methodologies and learning activities, and the parents do theirs with the array of music lessons, sports, and religious education.

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Tulip is more enthusiastic about my workout mat than she is about lifting weights.

I never really considered it my job to make my pet well-rounded, other than maybe switching up her toys or food now and again. But it just kind of happened.

Perhaps the most unusual of my hobbies for Tulip to adopt was my dabbling in the trombone. When a brass band visited the elementary school where I work a couple of years ago, I was immediately enraptured by the trombonist. I won't lie. I secretly thought my tall stature and long arms, perfect for pulling out the slide, would make me an instant star. Needless to say that wasn't the case, and my interest only survived about a year. However, Tulip developed quite the rapport with my trombone.

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Tulip is fascinated by my trombone.

The first time I brought home the trombone, I laid it out in all its magnanimity across my bed as I was changing after work. Tulip entered the room with trepidation, peering up at the mystery object in awe. She soon jumped up onto the bed and started circling it, sniffing at the brass and gingerly putting out one white paw to gently swipe it before quickly pulling away. The best part was when she poked her little head all the way inside the horn, her body sticking out, tail in a perfect upside-down "J."

When I first started playing, she'd run out of the room. (Oh wait, maybe everyone did that?) But gradually she began making her way back, perching herself next to the music stand with her little pointy ears upright and wiggling. Sometimes, when I'd stop playing, she'd let out the closest sound her high-pitched kitty voice could make to the deep tooting of a trombone. I believe she might still be harboring dreams of a two-person band.

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I'm doing weight-training; Tulip is doing some stretching.

Throughout my exploration of the trombone, I had another hobby which I've never stopped. I intend to be a lifelong advocate of what I call my form of antidepressants -- fitness! I'm a huge fan of Jillian Michaels workout DVDs, but I love anything that really gets my heart pumping in the privacy of my own living room, where no one can interrupt nor make me feel self-consciously sweaty!

Of course, I should have known that with Tulip around, my workouts would no longer be private. At first, Tulip did what one might expect a cat to do. As I was "digging deep" and sweating my face off, Tulip was napping peacefully on the back of the couch. 

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She loves to curl up in my sweatshirt after a workout.

I'm not sure what it was, but when I brought home a new workout mat, all of the sudden Tulip's nap no longer appealed to her as much. Maybe she just wanted to shed her winter weight like the rest of us, but she enjoyed furiously kneading my squishy mat as I tried to do crunches. She also began to sniff at my warm-up sweatshirt that I had thrown aside, burying herself in it, rolling around, and swiping at the drawstrings. Her favorite was to curl up on one end of the mat, forcing my already 5'11" frame halfway off in order to sustain my workout. 

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Tulip can't take her eyes off Pauly D.

She continues to find it entertaining to wait until I'm on my back doing chest flies to swipe at my free weights as they approach the floor. Her ultimate fave? "Helping" me with my leg raises while perched on top of my stomach. At least I'm adding to the burn ...

Those who know me well are privy to the guilty pleasure on my list of hobbies: reality TV. Being that I often miss my shows during their regular airtime due to other (more important?) obligations, I sometimes find myself curled up in bed watching them streaming on my laptop. Who ends up joining me in this mindless, relaxing activity?

You guessed it. Tulip loves to nuzzle up next to me and the laptop, and we generate enough heat to make her quite the cozy cat. But what's most amusing is how Tulip actually appears interested, even invested, in Jersey Shore and The Bachelor. She rests her chin on the keyboard for the duration of the show and stares intently at the screen, not even getting up for a snack break. I actually think my cat has a crush on D.J. Pauly D.

Somewhat unintentionally, I seem to be raising a pretty well-rounded cat.

Does your cat enjoy any of your hobbies? Let me know in the comments!

"Your cat is too fat," the vet said, while Phoenix ("Fifi") cowered on the scale. "Ideally, this cat should weigh nine pounds, at most."

The scale read closer to 13. I had noticed Fifi's belly growing rounder, like a balloon swelling beneath her skin, which swayed from side to side as she walked -- no, she was starting to waddle because of this obesity.

Her interest in play had also waned. She used to perform stunning acrobatics, twisting and contorting her body in midair to capture the feather toy between her teeth. Now she would barely swat at the ersatz bird before plopping down on the floor and grumbling, Marge Simpson-style, as though annoyed and exhausted by the mere notion that I would try to interact with her in a manner that did not involve putting food in a dish.

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I love my fat cat.

Yep -- my cat was too fat; that much I knew. Aside from related consequences like diabetes and arthritis, the vet mentioned one complication I hadn't considered.

"How's she doing with cleaning herself?" the vet asked, as she lifted Fifi's tail to inspect her behind.

"Um, fine?" I said, unaware that I needed to be monitoring my cat's bum so closely.

The vet confirmed that Fifi was, in fact, doing a better-than-expected job at keeping her backside tidy. She did, however, warn that inadequate grooming was something I'd need to look out for, as poor cleaning habits can cause urinary tract infections -- not to mention unsightly dingleberries.

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Phoenix perches atop a box of shoes during my last move.

And it was almost like the vet had jinxed me. You know how when someone you know buys a new car, or you learn a new word, and suddenly you see that car or hear that word everywhere? Odds are those cars and words have been everywhere the whole time, but now they've been thrown into sharp relief and you can't NOT notice them.

Well, that was my experience with the poop crusties on my cat's butt.

I first noticed the baked Alaska-esque brown crests on Fifi's white fur in bed, of course, when I was too tired to do anything about it. So I ignored it, hoping it would go away.

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Since this picture was taken, she has gotten even fatter. You'd better believe that belly floof is great for motorboating, though.

Unfortunately, it got worse. I went on vacation to Mexico for a week and left my cats at my parents' house, where they were off their low-calorie diet. When I returned to pick them up, the poop crusties had intensified. They had doubled -- maybe even tripled. They were clearly planning a large-scale takeover of my cat's rear end.

The worst part: It was all my fault. I was the one who did not do my research and thought free-feeding my cats was just fine. I did not play with them enough, and I probably gave them too many treats -- not to mention let them lick out one too many cereal bowls. And now these brown poop streaks were calling me out: guilty.

Once I got done berating myself for being the Worst. Cat. Parent. Ever. (in that special way only a recovering Catholic can), I started looking at the bright side. At four years old, Phoenix is still relatively young. Other than her weight problem, she is healthy. And I possess all of the skills and knowledge necessary to get her back to her fighting weight.

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Phoenix takes an awkward/awesome nap.

For starters, at my vet's recommendation, I am putting her (and Bubba Lee Kinsey) on a strict low-calorie diet consisting of 50 percent wet food and 50 percent dry using the nutritional guide found here, courtesty of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. I am going to insist upon play time, no matter how half-assed, every day before work.

And I am going to trim Fifi's damn butt hair, because dingleberries aren't good for anyone.

Like many humans, a lot of cats lead sedentary lifestyles and eat far too much -- and the only ones to blame are the humans. I might have let Fifi become unhealthy, but I'm not going to let her stay that way.

About Angela: This not-crazy-at-all cat lady loves to lint-roll her favorite dress and go out dancing. She also frequents the gym, the vegan coffee joint, and the warm patch of sunlight on the living room floor. She enjoys a good cat rescue story about kindness and decency overcoming the odds, and she's an enthusiastic recipient of headbutts and purrs from her two cats, Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix.

More by Angela Lutz:

• 5 Reasons Calico Cats Are Endlessly Interesting to Me
• The Biggest Loser: Tiny the Fat Cat Drops Half His Body Weight
• 5 Common Household Items that Terrify My Cats

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Abandoned cats by Shutterstock

Recently the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston, ME, posted on its Facebook page, “Big Mews: Usually by the month of April our intake for cats and kittens is increasing. In past years, we've get in dozens of pregnant cats, moms with nursing kittens, and/or newborn motherless kittens. … [this year] for the month of April, we saw a 47 percent decrease in kittens coming into the shelter and a 30 percent decrease in adult cats coming into the shelter.”

Why did this happen? The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society gave people a chance to do the right thing, and people did. Last fall, GAHS offered free spay/neuter services to the cats of the Lewiston-Auburn area, where the organization is located. And guess what? It’s working!

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Image from the Greater Anndroscoggin Humane Society Facebook page

You don’t have to work at a shelter or be an animal rescue insider to understand how important this is. If you’re even slightly conscious, you know that thousands, if not millions, of unwanted cats are dumped to fend for themselves -- and a lot of that is because people don’t have access to the money or transportation needed to get their kitties fixed.

But when an organization offers spaying and neutering for free, people step up.

That tells me the community at large is aware of the need to spay or neuter their cats. They want to do it. But there are “barriers to access,” which is how some folks in the nonprofit world (where I spend 40 hours or so a week) describe things like poverty, lack of transportation, or even the perception of being unwelcome to participate. When those barriers are removed, people will gladly open the door, step inside, and do what they need to do.

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Cats in a shelter by Shutterstock

If you want to be part of the homeless cat solution instead of sitting back and wailing about the problem or being cruelly judgmental of the people who don’t get their cats fixed, encourage your local shelter to offer free spay/neuter services and offer to assist them to get a program started.

The “offering to assist” part is especially important. A lot of us are willing to say “somebody should” or “you should,” but few people move past that to “we should” or “this is important and I want to help.”

Telling people or organizations what they should do doesn’t help anyone. Taking action does.

I’ve said time and time again that when given the chance, people will do the right thing by their cats. The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society has proven it.

About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

More about kitten season and spay/neuter:

• The SF SPCA Launches Giggle-Worthy "Kitten Season" Campaign
• The Top 5 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Cat Early
• Is It Always the Right Thing to Spay or Neuter a Cat?
• The 10 Lamest Excuses for Not Spaying or Neutering Your Cat 

The editors and writers at Catster recently took the Bing It On blind challenge. We're not a cocky bunch or anything, but we like to think we're pretty skilled at identifying a primo cat photo. So you can trust us when we say that Bing beat Google in four of our five searches for specific cat images. Then we encouraged Catster readers to take the challenge and gave away a $250 gift card to one lucky participant. Pretty cool, huh? "Look at cat photos! We want to give you money! That's the stuff dreams are made of!"  It's OK -- just call us the dream makers. 

Editor's Note: Speaking of which, congratulations go out to Catster reader Carolina Espinosa, winner of that $250 gift card. We'll be in touch soon to find out how to get it to you.

Now that we've all seen how searches via Bing produce the preferred image results, we're here to give you another reason to use the search engine: Did you know you get rewarded for using Bing? Can you hardly believe it? Cats and rewards? Right now you're probably thinking, "Go on..." OK, we will.

How it works

After signing up for the Bing Rewards program, users (that's YOU!) receive credits just for searching with Bing. You can also earn additional credits by participating in awesome daily offers that demonstrate all the cool ways Bing helps get things done. You're already not going anywhere -- there's a cat in your lap, for heaven's sake. Go ahead and search for kittens in teacups on Bing for some credits! Then you can redeem your points for rewards by visiting the redemption center. 

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The cutest cat photos AND rewards? Yes! Cute Kitten in Teacup by Shutterstock

What are the rewards?

Do you like to read? Drink coffee? Play video games? Watch movies? They've got you covered. Credits earned can be redeemed for some pretty fantastic rewards, which include some of your favorites:

• Amazon.com
• Starbucks
• Xbox LIVE
• Redbox
• Hulu Plus
• Groupon

Click here for a full listing of rewards.

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The sooner you sign up, the sooner you will enjoy the rewards! Cats Sitting at the Table by Shutterstock

It's easy to join!

Right now you may be thinking, "This has got to be a hassle. It sounds way too good to be true." Not so, dear readers. It couldn't be simpler to join Bing rewards -- just sign in with Facebook from the Join Bing Rewards page! And don't say you're never on Facebook -- 'cause that's just a lie. After you sign up, don't forget to claim your bonus in the redemption center. 

Do you Tweet? Sure you do. When you follow Bing Rewards on Twitter, you'll be sure to be on top of the newest rewards, news and not-to-be-missed opportunities.

So what are you waiting for? Start earning rewards!

Editor's Note: This is a sponsored post; however all opinions expressed here are Catster's own.

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We’re not supposed to, of course. Just like you’re really not supposed to like one of your human kinds more than the other ... but do you, anyway?

Maybe you always say hi to one of your cats first when you get home. Or maybe you always sneak one of them an extra treat at treat time. Or maybe you pet them a little bit more often.

Let’s face it: One of your kitties is probably mommy or daddy’s special girl or boy.

In my house, it happens, but not with me (at least not that I’m admitting!). My boyfriend, however, loves Moo. Moo gets picks up all the time, cuddled and coddled and even called into bed. Pimp gets a pet here or there and gets attention when he’s around, but not like Moo.

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His favorite.

And it’s blatant, too. He has no shame about loving Moo more, and I kind of get it. Moo is a whore. He demands attention, and you can’t spend five seconds anywhere in the house without him being right there, on your lap or begging to be picked up.

Pimp, on the other hand, is a quiet old man who is content in one of his favorite spots, napping or relaxing. He gets on my lap and in bed next to me, but he doesn't do it as much with the boyfriend, so it’s no wonder Moo ranks higher in his mind. He just seems to like him more, and we tend to like people who like us.

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My favorites.

I get it, but it makes me feel bad for Pimp, so I find myself paying a little extra attention to him to make up for it. Pimp is 14 years old and has been with me his whole life. Moo came into our lives four years ago. My boyfriend doesn’t know life without Moo, but I have 10 years of extra history with Pimp, so I want to make sure he always feels super loved and still special –- regardless of this attention whore who lives with us now.

If the BF spends 80 percent of his cat time with Moo, and I spend 50 percent of my cat time with Moo, then you can see that the math works out way in Moo’s favor. So I try to pay special attention to Pimp.

But then here’s the thing: Now I feel like I’m playing favorites with Pimp, and I feel bad about my Moo time!

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The attention whore.

I have always made it an extreme point not to show favoritism. When Moo first came into our home, I told them both I loved them, but I always made sure to tell Pimp, “I love you first.” So that he knows he’s not replaced or missing out on attention he used to get all to himself.

If I'm playing with Da Bird with one hand for Moo, I'm throwing mice with my other hand for Pimp (of course they like to play with different kinds of toys). If I'm in bed, they each have their spots and get equal love before we go to sleep.

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Just because I'm nappy doesn't mean I don't want attention!

But it's still easy to see how Moo could end up as a favorite, just because he's more assertive and "fun" to be around. He likes the attention more, so it just makes sense that he gets more.

Do you do this with your cats? Do you find yourself calling one over to the couch more often or taking more pictures of one than the others? Flip through your phone pics and see! You just might surprise yourself.

Or maybe you're like me and try extra hard not to show favoritism.

Which one of your cats is mommy or daddy's little kitty? Let us know in the comments!

Read more by Dorian Wagner:

• I Can’t Do Anything Without My Cats’ Help -- I Mean, Who Can?
• Do You Remember Your First Cat?
• 7 Things I Can't Do These Days Because I Have Cats
• He's Into You, He's Just Not Into Cats? We Can Change That!

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From her perch in the sky, Bella checks out the opossum digging in the neighbors' yard.

When my cats look back on the time they spent in the country, they see what they're grateful for now that they live the urban life. Here's a comparison in text and photos.

1. Better cat trees

My little studio carved out of a post-and-beam barn did offer some opportunities for my cats to climb, but the rewards were limited and the perches were uncomfortable.

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You mean I climbed all the way up here and there's only 8 inches between my feet and the ceiling? And about that view ... eh, not so great.

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Now THIS is more like it! Thanks, Mama.

2. Better television

If you grew up in the country, far from the reaches of cable TV, you'll remember that you had maybe three or four channels available -- and even then, you'd spend as much time moving the antenna to get decent reception as you'd spend watching. I bet you didn't know cats like having more viewing options, too.

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Different rural home, same idea. Dahlia's sick of watching the same old shows every day.

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Thomas loves having eight different channels to watch. Here, he's even getting a little pervy sneaking a look at the Neighbors In The Bathroom channel!

3. Better smell-o-vision

I always thought the scents I brought in from my treks around the country homestead intrigued my cats, but I guess I was wrong. See for yourself.

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Chickens and dog poop again? *sigh*

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Ooh, what's this? Other cats? Oh, and chicken tandoori? Hmm, I detect a faint scent of artsy hipsterness, too.

4. More modern conveniences ... like not shivering in the winter

One of the hardest things about life in my country home -- aside from having to truck 50-pound jugs of water up rickety stairs and do my business in an outhouse -- was the fact that it was always cold. But in our new home, the cats can stretch out full-length, even on an arctic Maine winter day.

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Thomas's love affair with the heater sometimes left him with singed fur.

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Here in our city home, you can be warm no matter where you are. But if you really want to go deluxe, you can curl up in a heated cat bed.

5. Better food

Back in the country, my cats had to live on kibble because, well, I was just too poor to go with the deluxe food I wanted to give them. Now they get the very best, and they don't even have to work for it.

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Poor Thomas was forced to supplement his substandard diet with mice.

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Here in the city, Thomas gets his super-premium raw food delivered direct to his dish.

6. No competition for cuteness

When you live on a country homestead with non-feline animals who are constantly having babies, people ooh and aah over the other critters while forgetting the inherent cuteness of cats. In their new urban home, my cats always win the "awwww" contest.

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For some reason, my brother and sister-in-law thought baby goats are cuter than my cats. The nerve!

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Now everybody praises my cats' gorgeous sweetness. Even Siouxsie's angry snuggles are awesomely cute!

7. Better sun puddles

Back in the country, my cats' sunbathing options were sadly limited. The only two windows in my place faced the morning sun, and in the winter I had to put blankets over one of them so we wouldn't freeze to death. Now the kitties get sun puddles all day, any time the skies are clear.

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"Sure, this sun puddle is nice enough, I suppose," Siouxsie says, "but it's only available for a couple of hours a day."

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"Now, THIS is more like it!" Siouxsie says. "I can sun bathe all day if I want to ... if Dahlia would quit hogging my spot."

8. No attack geese!

Don't fool yourself: Geese are mean! Here in the city, nobody is barred from getting into the house by an aggressive gander guarding his harem!

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"STAY AWAY FROM MAH WOMEN!"

Do your cats prefer life in the country or life in the city? Or how about suburbia? Let us know in the comments!

About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

More by JaneA on life with cats: 

• 7 Ways My Cats Live Better Than I Do
• High School Was Homophobic Hell for Me; A School Cat Would Have Helped
• You've Probably Adopted a Cat; Has a Cat Ever Adopted You?
• 7 Ways My Cats Are the Perfect Antidote for High Drama

Actually, I think cats are pretty badass.

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"Who you callin' cute?" Angry Cat Wearing Spiked Collar by Shutterstock

I believe kitties are totally underestimated. For example, my little 6.5-pound Phoebe went nose to nose with a giant Lab through the window screen. She knew he was in her yard and wasn't about to back down. I was totally blown away! They may be little, but they can pack a punch.

Here are six ways I think cats are totally badass.

1. They don't care what we think

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"That's right, I'll help myself." Photo of Sophia by Kari Achenbach

Unlike dogs, who seem to feel remorse when they've committed a no-no, most cats couldn't care less. "Yeah, I'm on the counter eating your turkey sandwich -- what of it?" They walk across our heads while we're sleeping, lounge on top of the clean clothes we've laid out for the evening, and drink out of our water glasses. Sure, we can remove them, but they'll be back ... along with their arrogant attitudes and sense of entitlement.

2. They do everything on their terms

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Saffy: "No."

"You want me to play with that catnip mouse again? Um, I'm not feelin' it, bro." Cats like to be the ones in charge of their choices. And I honestly think they sometimes secretly want to do what we're suggesting, but would rather act contrary about it. Just because. Who's the boss? Not Tony Danza.

3. Their body language is fierce

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"Do I intimidate you? I thought so." Kitten Jumping Sideways by Shutterstock

You know that crazy side-jump move kittens make when they're trying to act fierce? You know what I mean. Sometimes it seems like they do it just to do it -- there's no visible enemy afoot. I think they're probably practicing. They end up looking more cute and funny than intimidating, but we better not laugh at them. Ever. Even kittens are badass.

4. They own the Internet

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Phoebe: "You want some of this? Get in line."

Who owns the Internet more than cats do? This is not a trick question. Nobody. Cat videos rule YouTube, and you can't scan a Facebook newsfeed these days without seeing the likes of Lil Bub and Grumpy Cat. Owning the Internet is a huge deal, and kitties know that this gives them mega-leverage when it comes to badassery.

5. They take what they want

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Phoebe: "Want. Now."

Cats don't ask. Period. When they see something they want, they simply go for it. They don't even care that their quest involves blatant no-no actions. They'll jump on the counter to score a scrap, cruise across a desk to snag a pencil, and dive bomb another cat to jack a box. What's tougher than that? Maybe owning the Internet? Check. 

6. They can rock a look

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"Yes?" Angry Sphynx Cat by Shutterstock

Dogs' looks are plaintive. Cats glare. And those glares aren't begging for anything. They're demanding everything. They don't even feel the need to open their mouths to express themselves. The eyes say it all. Plus, have you ever taken a photo of a cat that resulted in an evil, laser-eyed kitty pic? They plan those photos. They're warnings to us that their glare can be photographically amplified. Psychically altering photos? Don't even tell me that's not badass.

In what ways is your cat tough as nails? Tell us about it in the comments! 

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About the Author: Angie Bailey is a weird girl with freckles and giant smile who wants everyone to be her friend. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, and thinking about cats doing people things. Wrote a ridiculous humor book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that may or may not offend people. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.

Read more by Angie Bailey:

• My Cat Has a Bucket List With 8 Items on It
• 6 Cats Caught in the Act
• 8 Bumper Stickers Your Cat Would Put on His Car

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Phoebe: "Who's this Oprah person and does she have food for me?"

And I have to say up front that I have never, ever been one of those moms who over-schedules her kids. When they were in elementary school, we always had a rule of "one thing at a time." Soccer is one thing, but when soccer, baseball, piano, and accordion practice keep kids so busy they can't run around outside and just be kids, I think that's a problem.

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Saffy reminds me it's time for a nail clipping.

I've known too many families who constantly rush from thing to thing. The kids become accustomed to Happy Meals in the backseat and learn that stress and doing too much is normal. I'm not against activities -- I just think there's value in having time to ride bikes and sit around the dinner table together.

And if we're never home, who's going to play with the cats and take care of their needs? Cats are totally against our activities because they want us home all the time, catering to their every need. And watching them sleep. But really, there are cat-related tasks we can easily forget if we don't somehow create a system to remind us of them. Cats may not play the accordion (but that would be cute, right?), but they do require brushing, nail-clipping, feeding, and vet visits. I know I've had a tough time keeping track of those responsibilities.

Even with limited activities and non-accordion playing cats, busy families need to stay organized. Here are four ways I've learned to stay on track.

1. Get a calendar or three!

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My daughter and I go over the week's schedule on my smartphone calendar.

I know it's so not eco-friendly, but I've always been a paper girl. I love my planner pad and the therapeutic feeling that comes with making lists on paper and then crossing the items off as I complete them. I consider myself a moderately tech-savvy person, but the thought of losing my phone (and, with it, my calendar and to-do list) makes me absolutely nutso.

I've had a smartphone for a couple of years, and two weeks ago I began using Google Calendar. My husband did, too, and now we're totally synched! And we have our information in this cloud-thing, so even if my phone did fall in the toilet, my information would be safe. 

The cool thing is, with my virtual calendar -- which you can also utilize on the computer -- I can create one color-coded calendar for family activities, one for cat-related tasks, and one for my writing deadlines. I can look at each separately or merge them all together. Pretty cool! 

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A less hectic schedule meant time for my kids to play in TV box-turned playhouse.

I know it might sound silly, but I really need reminders for cat stuff. Saffy requires brushing a couple of times a week, their fountain needs regular cleaning and filling, nails need clipping, and vet visits need to happen. Honestly, if I don't create calendar reminders for myself, I sometimes forget to do these things. 

So far, the online calendar is a success; however, we still use a family wall calendar, and my to-do list has yet to migrate. I still enjoy manually crossing items of my list. Hey, a girl's gotta have something!

2. Automate!

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Phoebe: "I love a fresh fountain after a rough night on the nip."

Imagine a world where cat food, litter, and treats just show up at your front door. It's true! There are companies that offer auto-ship programs, so you can rest easily knowing pet supplies will magically arrive right on schedule. Hey -- if you can cross "buy cat food" off your to-do list, maybe you'll have more time for doing other things. Like knitting cat booties ... or something. Mr. Chewy is one site that offers auto-ship services. I reviewed them a few times on my blog and found their variety, service, and delivery time exceptional.

I've also automated paying for school lunches online, as well as general bills. I'll tell you, the time saved by automation has been huge for me. I'm a fan.

3. Declutter, already!

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Phoebe: "Hand off my toys!"

Staying organized is much easier without a bunch of clutter. How often do you weed through kid and cat toys? I've found spring and fall to be great times to examine every jingle ball and Lincoln Log and create a pile for donation, a pile to keep, and a pile to toss. There are always local organizations that will stop by and pick up your donations, so you don't have to drive anywhere! I even donate cat toys that are in good condition. 

4. Communicate regularly!

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Gotta keep track of important events, like cat shows! This is my daughter from our annual cat show outing a few years ago.

Communication is everything. Sure, it's great to have synching calendars and all that jazz, but if we never sit down, face-to-face, and discuss plans, we lose that human connection. We try and have weekly family meetings, where we talk about how things are going and discuss anything special that may be coming up in the next week. We make little goals together -- both individual and family ones. It's so much easier to stay organized and feel on top of things when you're somehow held accountable. And there's less that falls through the cracks. And cats especially hate it when things fall through the cracks (except for table scraps). 

How do you stay organized? Tell us about it in the comments!

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About the Author: Angie Bailey is a weird girl with freckles and giant smile who wants everyone to be her friend. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, and thinking about cats doing people things. Wrote a ridiculous humor book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in comedy web series that may or may not offend people. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.

Read more by Angie Bailey:

• 8 Ways Kids and Cats Are Surprisingly Similar 
• 3 Tips For Feeding Cats and Kids at the Same Time -- Without Pulling Your Hair Out
• 5 Ways My Cats Play It Cool in Really Embarrassing Moments

What do you do about feeding and care for your feral colony while you’re on vacation?

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Here's me feeding some of our colony of ferals.

Taking care of a feral colony is similar while also different to providing for an indoor domesticated cat. One of the main differences is that you never know which cats will show up on any given day. Occasionally a new visitor who isn’t part of the colony will show up for food and to investigate the other cats. Often my colony will tolerate visitors if they wait their turn for food and water. However, any cutting in line or trying to gain affection is promptly rejected by most members. This can lead to some pretty aggressive fighting and chasing. Also, some of the feral cats are not friendly to strangers, and will greet any attempt to pet them with a quick swipe of a sharp clawed paw, or they’ll run off and hide.

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More of our ferals, dining in the garage.

Our colony has access to our garage at all times. One of the garage doors is always partially open, which allows them to come and go as they please. The garage is where we keep their food, water, and beds. It provides a safe area for them to eat and rest, though often they eat and run. If the garage door accidentally got closed by a caretaker, the cats wouldn’t have access and would have to fend for themselves.

For our situation, we hired a pet sitter for the cats and the many other animals we have at home. She has worked with feral cats in the past and was very comfortable taking care of ours. She followed our written instructions precisely. The only challenge we had was that a few of the regulars didn't return for several days after we came home. Though their routine wasn’t altered, I think they were protesting our being away for the whole week, so they went on a little exploration of their own. Besides, why should the humans be the only ones who get a vacation?

Do you take care of feral cats? What do you do when you go on vacation? Let us know in the comments!

More stories on feral cats by Tim Link:

• 8 Steps to Trap, Neuter, and Return Feral Cats
• The New Feral Cat in My Colony Looks a Lot Like an Opossum
• The Feral Cats Near My Home Use Planters as Litter Boxes
• I Paid Almost $300 to Get a Feral Cat Groomed
• I Care for a Colony of Feral Cats

But let's get real -- my cats' behavior can also make them hellish nightmare beasts, and sometimes I want to banish them from the living room for a while (just, like, an hour) so I can eat dinner or read a book without getting fur in my mouth and paws in my face. In that kind of behavior, I can find only so much humor.

Here are five reasons why my cats piss me off.

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Sometimes I'm crazy about my cats. Other times they just make me crazy.

1. Eating cereal should not require acrobatics

I am more than willing to make sacrifices for my cats. I have accepted that I will never have nice things, for example, and that I cannot wear black pants at home. I am okay with lint-rolling myself every morning before work, and the discovery of the occasional hairball in my flip-flop does not faze me.

But sometimes -- just once a day for approximately 15 minutes -- I would like to sit down and eat cereal without holding the bowl above my head to keep whiskered faces from penetrating my Frosted Mini-Wheats. It can be exhausting to use my feet to hold back two meowing house tigers (who are apparently starving and will die unless I share my food with them) while I hastily shovel cereal into my face-hole.

I mean, really. Cut the crap, drama queens.

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Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix will have whatever I'm having.

2. Houseplants are not beds

I have several houseplants that are more than 10 years old. I have kept them alive through all-night study sessions, benders, and multiple moves, and I'm stupidly proud of that fact.

One of my favorites is a majestic snake plant named Steve. Despite Steve's spiky leaves, Bubba Lee Kinsey has mistaken the wise old plant for a bed more than once. Both times I was able to salvage what was left of the ailing plant and repot it, which was somewhat miraculous considering Bubba's preference for napping on loose dirt, smashed leaves, and shards of broken pottery.

The worst part was Bubba's nonchalance upon my discovery of his destruction. "Whatever, lady," his face seemed to say as he stretched luxuriously and gazed up at me while my eyes filled with tears.

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Behold: Steve the majestic spider plant, aka Bubba's favorite spot to nap.

3. You are not "helping" with the laundry

PHOENIX! No! Clawing at the sleeves of my shirts and swatting at my underwear as I fold them is NOT helpful. Neither is plopping your white, furry body down on my black tank tops. You leave behind a layer of loose, downy floof, which coats my clothing like a layer of mesh -- except the only thing it's protecting me from is social acceptance.

I cannot go out that way. You realize I hate doing the laundry, right? If I had known this was going to happen I could have gone to bed instead of watching the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld for the 15th time while waiting for that last load to dry.

Dammit. You know what? Just forget it. I'll deal with it in the morning.

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I forgive Phoenix for getting hair on my clothes because of midwinter snuggle parties like this one.

4. My leg is not a predator

BUBBA LEE KINSEY! No! My leg is not a threat to you. It is, in fact, connected to the torso that's connected to the arm that's connected to the hand that feeds you.

Remember that time you bit me so hard that the wound got infected and I needed antibiotics? Remember how the doctor was so alarmed upon learning that not only had the bite wound come from an average every day kitty cat, but a cat who was my pet who lives in my home and sleeps in my bed?

You know what? Just forget it. I'll just hide in the bathroom until you've calmed down.

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Bubba Lee Kinsey has a naughty streak.

5. This is not a raging kegger, so please do not vomit in my bed

Enough said.

About Angela: This not-crazy-at-all cat lady loves to lint-roll her favorite dress and go out dancing. She also frequents the gym, the vegan coffee joint, and the warm patch of sunlight on the living room floor. She enjoys a good cat rescue story about kindness and decency overcoming the odds, and she's an enthusiastic recipient of headbutts and purrs from her two cats, Bubba Lee Kinsey and Phoenix.

More by Angela Lutz:

• 5 Fascinating Facts About Polydactyl Cats
• 5 Reasons to Love Your Cats' Kneading You
• 5 Reasons You Should Play with Your Cat Every Day

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Art by Roxy B. Montoya, bag design by Say Media's Mira Kim.

Editor-in-Chief Janine Kahn and Community Manager Lori Malm are super excited to hang out with our awesome writers who'll be in attendance (Angie, JaneA, Dorian, and Stephanie -- we're looking at you!), while connecting with other pet lovers and brands in Virginia this year. There's always so much to learn and do -- we're super lucky to be able to call this work.

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We've got only a limited quantity of these bad boys.

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Janine models with one of our limited edition tote bags. Doesn't she look totally cute in cat ears?

But we didn't forget you, our awesome Catster readers! We thought you might be sad about not making it out to Blogpaws -- so we're giving away five of the totes. We have an extremely limited supply and probably won't be reprinting these, so this is likely your only chance to snag one!

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Nothing says, "Summer" like a popsicle!

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Representin'!

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Balance like a cat, Janine!

To enter, simply comment with what your cat's dream vacation would be. Don't forget to register with Disqus if you haven't already -- it's the only way we can contact the winners! Unfortunately, only U.S. residents are eligible to win. We'll select the best stories when we get back from BlogPaws on Monday, May 19th.

Thanks for reading, Catsters -- we totally love you!

(Special thanks go out to our Assistant Editor, Liz! We dragged her away from her very important social media duties to make use of her secret photo skills!)