Kids & Cats

In the last few weeks we have been blessed by so many visitors, many of them kids. Kids are so adventurous and so unafraid. I often hear parents yelling at the kids as they're trying to catch up, no don't touch, they're strays, they might be diseased etc............

Nothing warms my heart more than when I get to explain how safe these furbabies are and the kids get permission to touch and love and even sometimes hold the furballs. Then you see the parents start to melt and then they're on their knees loving the cats. Our group is special because of where they're located. I don't advocate trying to touch a strange cat unless you know they're nice. Good rule of thumb if the cat runs up to you and rubs against your legs and purrrrrrs it's probably been socialized. We have a few that are still afraid of people and they're perfectly happy to sit back a few feet and watch their brothers and sisters play with visitors, they never approach, which is a good sign they don't want to be touched.

I believe teaching kids love and respect for animals at an early age produces kinder, gentler, compassionate adults and I'm so glad our kitties can be a part of that learning process.