Yikes! Next week I must do a short (15 minute) workshop on cats for our club members doing cat projects. I have been racking my brain trying to think of something interesting to talk about, demonstrate, experiment or a hands on activity to do - and have not come up with much. Please help! I will be eternally grateful!! Jean (why didn't I think of asking sooner?)

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), March 15, 2001

Answers

We have six cats on our farm here in central Wisconsin, and due to the weather we have built various versions of "cat condos" for them to survive the winter in. These are usually plywood, look like little barns, with one side having a lot of glass (salvaged window panes) to let the sun in in the winter. It might be fun to draw up your own plans, or actually build one for the club.

-- Leo (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), March 15, 2001.

You might want to talk about the fact that cats aren't just little dogs. So many people think they have the same nutritional and medical needs and that's not true. You could talk about the various medications that are poisonous to cats (like Tylenol)and that cats have very different needs in amounts of protein and trace minerals. You could get all this info from a quick call to a vet. If you have a young, fresh out of school vet nearby, he or she might be willing to come do the talk for you, pass out a few food samples, etc. Stress the nocturnal nature, the hunter instinct, the need for hairball prevention, etc. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), March 15, 2001.

You also might want to talk about that fact that cats can be trained (believe it or not!). Most people will acquire a kitten, feed it and take care of it properly, but if you treat a kitten as if it were a puppy and work with it you'd be amazed at the results. Everyone one of my housecats know ther names and come when called, some have personal "tricks" they will demonstrate if so inclined! Now, the barn cats are another subject.....!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), March 15, 2001.