How we love our fresh starts and New Year's resolutions!

We're going to lose weight, of course, save more money, and better ourselves in countless other ways. All noble causes, but have you thought about spending some time in 2005 making a difference for animals?

Every animal lover should.

Although the need can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to animal cruelty or homeless pets, the fact is that every little bit helps. After all, if every one of us animal lovers did one small thing a couple of times a year, the total effort would be grand indeed.

Here are a few suggestions for helping animals in the months to come:

-- Take better care of your own animals. Studies show that, just like many of us, a lot of animals desperately need to lose weight and exercise more. Remember: Food is not love, and lay off the treats. You and your pet will both do better with a walk or some otherwise active playtime together.

Don't neglect other aspects of preventive health care. Use your pet's annual exam to go over those areas that need improving. In addition to weight loss and exercise, your veterinarian should evaluate your pet's vaccination schedule, dental health and parasite-control strategies. In addition to helping your pet live a longer, healthier life, preventive health care can save you money in the long run. Make that veterinary appointment today!

Part of taking care of your own pet better is making sure your animals are "good citizens" to your neighbors. Don't let your cats roam or your dogs bark constantly. In addition to being inconsiderate, people who allow their animals to be a nuisance give ammunition to communities looking to pass laws against pets.

-- Help others take better care of their pets. If you have a friend, neighbor or relative who is having difficulty caring for a pet because of advanced age or illness, offer to help out. Pets are extremely important to those who are cut off from social activities. Helping people keep their pets is a kindness to both pet and pet owner.

What can you do? Pick up food or litter, or offer to take the pet to the veterinarian when needed. Many times people who rely on others for assistance are reluctant to ask for more help on account of a pet. So ask if you can help. After all, if you're already going to the pet-supply store or veterinarian, is it really that much trouble to pick up some extra supplies or stay for an additional appointment?

-- Make a call for animals. Animal cruelty should not be tolerated, not only for the animals but also because of the proven link between animal cruelty and crimes against people. Too often, though, animal cruelty is shrugged off by the judicial system as a lesser crime.

Don't accept a "boys will be boys" attitude when it comes to animal cruelty. Call, e-mail and write to prosecutors and judges in animal cruelty cases. Demand that children get the help they need to break the cycle of cruelty and that adult offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Public opinion counts in these cases!

-- Pay to spay. Don't place an animal in a new home unless you've made sure the pet won't reproduce. You may think you're doing a good deed in a finding home for a pet you cannot keep, or for a litter of kittens born in your garage to a semi-wild mother cat. But if you don't pay to spay, you really aren't helping.

Instead of placing a pet for free, spay or neuter the animal and then charge an adoption fee to cover the cost of the procedure. You'll save the adopter time and will ensure that the pet you place won't add to the overpopulation problem.

-- Help a shelter or rescue group. Volunteers are always needed to help with the animals in the shelter or to foster pets who need a home environment. But if you don't want to contribute on a regular basis, then see if you can help on a short-term project.

Many groups have fund-raisers throughout the year. They need volunteers to help with ticket sales, setup, concessions and cleanup. You can also help by finding out what your local shelter or rescue groups need in the way of services or supplies and then calling to ask for donations.

Shelters are in constant need not only of pet food, litter, old newspapers and towels, but also office and janitorial supplies and building materials. Get a wish list from your shelter and get to work!

It would be nice for us all to be thinner and richer at the end of 2005. But even if that doesn't happen, you can be happy knowing that you've made a difference for animals. These suggestions are just the beginning.

Q&A

Is a tortie cat the same as a calico?

Q: What is the difference between a calico and a tortie, or are they the same? Do the terms calico and tortie refer to a breed or a color? -- C.F., via e-mail

A: Calico and tortoiseshell (or tortie) refer to a pattern of markings, not to a breed. The link between them is orange fur. The two marking patterns are genetically similar, but they differ in the way the orange color is displayed. On calico cats, the orange, black and white colors are distinct patches; on tortoiseshells, the colors are swirled together.

The overwhelming majority of calico and tortoiseshell cats are female. Male calicos are what's known as "Klinefelter" males, possessed of not only the XY chromosomes of a normal boy cat but also an extra X. Since you need two X chromosomes to get a calico, you need the XXY combination to get a male calico. It doesn't happen very often -- about 1 in 3,000 calicoes is male.

Typically, male orange cats are tabbies (the common striped pattern), while orange in females can be expressed in any of three patterns -- calico, tortoiseshell or tabby.

To make things a little more interesting, there are also "dilute" colors. Instead of the pure orange and jet black of a classic calico, the orange on a "dilute" calico is more of a cream color, and the black is gray.

The Cat Fanciers' Association has a basic explanation of feline color genetics on its Web site at www.fanciers.com/other-faqs/color-genetics.html.

Q: We have a new golden retriever puppy, and I bought her with plans to make her a running partner. How soon can she accompany me on my daily runs? -- D.K., via e-mail

A: According to Dr. Robert Richardson, a Sacramento, Calif., veterinarian who's well-known for his expertise in orthopedics, you need to wait a while before putting the miles on that pup.

Richardson says an 8-month-old dog can safely manage only a one- to two-mile run at a relatively slow pace -- and that's if the animal is perfectly sound.

A puppy who's 8 months old is just past the usual growth spurts, says Richardson, who cautions that before that age a puppy's cartilage is very soft and easily damaged.

If you push your developing pup, or get a dog with joint problems to run at all, you could be risking serious problems down the road. Consult your veterinarian for a more precise assessment of your dog's suitability as a running partner.

Q: I'm moving with my cat from a house in a quiet neighborhood to one that's less than 100 yards from a major commercial roadway with lots of traffic. I saw your column on keeping cats indoors, and I've decided to try to keep Jordan in after we move. What's the best way to accomplish this? -- B.R., via e-mail

A: Moving is the perfect time to start keeping a cat inside. That's because you haven't suddenly cut off your cat from established territory -- which no cat accepts without complaining -- but instead have offered him a whole new indoor area to claim as his own. The territory he never sees he will not miss.

Start Jordan out in a single room with all the essentials and let him recover from the stress of the move. When he seems comfortable, allow him access to the rest of your new home. Be sure to give him plenty of attention, interactive play time and lots of toys. He should settle in just fine.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

More help for fans of green iguanas

The Web site of the Green Iguana Society (www.greenigsociety.org) is a helpful resource for anyone who has or is interested in getting one of these reptilian pets. The site pushes education and responsibility, with a strong emphasis on adoption of unwanted iguanas before purchase of baby ones.

Aware that much of the interest in iguanas comes from children, the Green Ig folks have developed an entire section aimed at helping young iguana keepers take better care of their pets. And if a parent is fielding demands from a reptile-crazy youngster but hasn't said "yes" yet, the Web site offers suggestions on reptile pets that are more suitable for children than iguanas.

PET PLATES

Iowa Aussie is '1DERDOG'

There's no end to the creativity that pet-loving readers show with their vanity license plates. You keep sending them, we'll keep sharing them:

1DERDOG -- Sealy the Australian shepherd participates in all kinds of dog events. The Honda CR-V gets loaded about once a month to go on some type of cross-country excursion to a conformation, agility, herding or obedience event. During the week, Sealy usually spends one to three hours attending classes offered by one of the three local canine clubs. He has passed his Canine Good Citizen test, has three points toward his championship and is working hard on obedience. He usually assists my wife while she is feeding the ducks, goats and sheep she is raising to practice his herding activities. "1DERDOG" is really an understatement. I simply wonder what she will get him into next. He lives for all the attention, and works for my wife's praise. -- J.L., Lisbon, Iowa

K9UNUT -- When I decided I wanted a special license plate, I originally wanted K9UNIT, but it was already taken. I decided on K9UNUT which is actually more appropriate because I'm nuts about dogs. At that time I had a poodle, Buddy, and a golden retriever, Brandy. Brandy has since gone to doggie heaven. The dogs rode with me every morning and again in the afternoon to the park for their daily exercise. -- K.C., Elk Grove, Calif.

Share your pet plate! Send a jpeg image and the story of how you chose your pet plate to petconnection@gmail.com. Please include your city and state.

THE SCOOP

Make time for a New Year's neck check

Just as we've accepted that the batteries in smoke detectors need to be changed twice a year when the clocks move forward or back, I've suggested in recent years establishing a tradition for pets: the New Year's "neck check."

The neck check is easy and takes less than a minute. What you're checking for is wear and fit on your pet's collar and legibility on ID tags.

A properly fitted collar is important, but so is the right type. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice. The proper fit should be comfortably close but not too snug. Make sure your dog's not wearing a "choke" collar for everyday wear. These pose a potentially deadly hazard if left on an unsupervised dog.

Cat collars aren't widely accepted because some people fear the collars will get caught on branches and trap the cat. Other people argue that their cat stays indoors and so never needs a collar. If you're sure your cat will never, ever get out, then fine: No collar is necessary. But if your pet has ever slipped out (or might), you ought to reconsider a collar and tag. As for cats being caught by their collars, this is resolved by the simple piece of elastic in most cat collars that enables the pet to slip free of the collar in a pinch.

If you have the right kind of collar on your pet, look at the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain, you'll need to replace the collar soon.

As for those ID tags, they need checking, too. A license is great, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it's a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers -- yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible.

Don't delay in fixing any problems you find. Proper collars and up-to-date ID tags are the cheapest insurance you can buy against losing your pet for good.

BY THE NUMBERS

Pedigreed popularity

The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 37 breeds of cat for competing in its championship classes at cat shows. They range from the popular and commonly recognized Persian to such lesser-known lovelies as the American wirehair and Somali. The top breeds of pedigreed cats, according to CFA registration figures for 2003:

1. Persian

2. Maine Coon

3. Exotic

4. Siamese

5. Abyssinian

6. Birman

7. Oriental

8. American shorthair

9. Tonkinese

10. Burmese

Source: Cat Fanciers Association (www.cfa.org)

PET Rx

Sharp puppy teeth go at four months

If you have a puppy in your home now, you will be delighted to know that those sharp little baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth by the age of 4 months -- going from 28 deciduous teeth to 42 permanent ones. But problems can occur with the changeover.

Sometimes baby teeth are retained after the adult ones come in, a situation that can cause many problems, including the misalignment of permanent teeth, incorrect development of the jaw and infections. Check your puppy's mouth daily while adult teeth are erupting to ensure that the baby teeth aren't being retained -- a double row of teeth, especially in the front, tells you that they are.

Have your veterinarian check any suspicious developments. Baby teeth that refuse to fall out on their own may need to be removed by your veterinarian.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

How we love our fresh starts and New Year's resolutions!

We're going to lose weight, of course, save more money, and better ourselves in countless other ways. All noble causes, but have you thought about spending some time in 2005 making a difference for animals?

Every animal lover should.

Although the need can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to animal cruelty or homeless pets, the fact is that every little bit helps. After all, if every one of us animal lovers did one small thing a couple of times a year, the total effort would be grand indeed.

Here are a few suggestions for helping animals in the months to come:

-- Take better care of your own animals. Studies show that, just like many of us, a lot of animals desperately need to lose weight and exercise more. Remember: Food is not love, and lay off the treats. You and your pet will both do better with a walk or some otherwise active playtime together.

Don't neglect other aspects of preventive health care. Use your pet's annual exam to go over those areas that need improving. In addition to weight loss and exercise, your veterinarian should evaluate your pet's vaccination schedule, dental health and parasite-control strategies. In addition to helping your pet live a longer, healthier life, preventive health care can save you money in the long run. Make that veterinary appointment today!

Part of taking care of your own pet better is making sure your animals are "good citizens" to your neighbors. Don't let your cats roam or your dogs bark constantly. In addition to being inconsiderate, people who allow their animals to be a nuisance give ammunition to communities looking to pass laws against pets.

-- Help others take better care of their pets. If you have a friend, neighbor or relative who is having difficulty caring for a pet because of advanced age or illness, offer to help out. Pets are extremely important to those who are cut off from social activities. Helping people keep their pets is a kindness to both pet and pet owner.

What can you do? Pick up food or litter, or offer to take the pet to the veterinarian when needed. Many times people who rely on others for assistance are reluctant to ask for more help on account of a pet. So ask if you can help. After all, if you're already going to the pet-supply store or veterinarian, is it really that much trouble to pick up some extra supplies or stay for an additional appointment?

-- Make a call for animals. Animal cruelty should not be tolerated, not only for the animals but also because of the proven link between animal cruelty and crimes against people. Too often, though, animal cruelty is shrugged off by the judicial system as a lesser crime.

Don't accept a "boys will be boys" attitude when it comes to animal cruelty. Call, e-mail and write to prosecutors and judges in animal cruelty cases. Demand that children get the help they need to break the cycle of cruelty and that adult offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Public opinion counts in these cases!

-- Pay to spay. Don't place an animal in a new home unless you've made sure the pet won't reproduce. You may think you're doing a good deed in a finding home for a pet you cannot keep, or for a litter of kittens born in your garage to a semi-wild mother cat. But if you don't pay to spay, you really aren't helping.

Instead of placing a pet for free, spay or neuter the animal and then charge an adoption fee to cover the cost of the procedure. You'll save the adopter time and will ensure that the pet you place won't add to the overpopulation problem.

-- Help a shelter or rescue group. Volunteers are always needed to help with the animals in the shelter or to foster pets who need a home environment. But if you don't want to contribute on a regular basis, then see if you can help on a short-term project.

Many groups have fund-raisers throughout the year. They need volunteers to help with ticket sales, setup, concessions and cleanup. You can also help by finding out what your local shelter or rescue groups need in the way of services or supplies and then calling to ask for donations.

Shelters are in constant need not only of pet food, litter, old newspapers and towels, but also office and janitorial supplies and building materials. Get a wish list from your shelter and get to work!

It would be nice for us all to be thinner and richer at the end of 2005. But even if that doesn't happen, you can be happy knowing that you've made a difference for animals. These suggestions are just the beginning.

Q&A

Is a tortie cat the same as a calico?

Q: What is the difference between a calico and a tortie, or are they the same? Do the terms calico and tortie refer to a breed or a color? -- C.F., via e-mail

A: Calico and tortoiseshell (or tortie) refer to a pattern of markings, not to a breed. The link between them is orange fur. The two marking patterns are genetically similar, but they differ in the way the orange color is displayed. On calico cats, the orange, black and white colors are distinct patches; on tortoiseshells, the colors are swirled together.

The overwhelming majority of calico and tortoiseshell cats are female. Male calicos are what's known as "Klinefelter" males, possessed of not only the XY chromosomes of a normal boy cat but also an extra X. Since you need two X chromosomes to get a calico, you need the XXY combination to get a male calico. It doesn't happen very often -- about 1 in 3,000 calicoes is male.

Typically, male orange cats are tabbies (the common striped pattern), while orange in females can be expressed in any of three patterns -- calico, tortoiseshell or tabby.

To make things a little more interesting, there are also "dilute" colors. Instead of the pure orange and jet black of a classic calico, the orange on a "dilute" calico is more of a cream color, and the black is gray.

The Cat Fanciers' Association has a basic explanation of feline color genetics on its Web site at www.fanciers.com/other-faqs/color-genetics.html.

Q: We have a new golden retriever puppy, and I bought her with plans to make her a running partner. How soon can she accompany me on my daily runs? -- D.K., via e-mail

A: According to Dr. Robert Richardson, a Sacramento, Calif., veterinarian who's well-known for his expertise in orthopedics, you need to wait a while before putting the miles on that pup.

Richardson says an 8-month-old dog can safely manage only a one- to two-mile run at a relatively slow pace -- and that's if the animal is perfectly sound.

A puppy who's 8 months old is just past the usual growth spurts, says Richardson, who cautions that before that age a puppy's cartilage is very soft and easily damaged.

If you push your developing pup, or get a dog with joint problems to run at all, you could be risking serious problems down the road. Consult your veterinarian for a more precise assessment of your dog's suitability as a running partner.

Q: I'm moving with my cat from a house in a quiet neighborhood to one that's less than 100 yards from a major commercial roadway with lots of traffic. I saw your column on keeping cats indoors, and I've decided to try to keep Jordan in after we move. What's the best way to accomplish this? -- B.R., via e-mail

A: Moving is the perfect time to start keeping a cat inside. That's because you haven't suddenly cut off your cat from established territory -- which no cat accepts without complaining -- but instead have offered him a whole new indoor area to claim as his own. The territory he never sees he will not miss.

Start Jordan out in a single room with all the essentials and let him recover from the stress of the move. When he seems comfortable, allow him access to the rest of your new home. Be sure to give him plenty of attention, interactive play time and lots of toys. He should settle in just fine.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

More help for fans of green iguanas

The Web site of the Green Iguana Society (www.greenigsociety.org) is a helpful resource for anyone who has or is interested in getting one of these reptilian pets. The site pushes education and responsibility, with a strong emphasis on adoption of unwanted iguanas before purchase of baby ones.

Aware that much of the interest in iguanas comes from children, the Green Ig folks have developed an entire section aimed at helping young iguana keepers take better care of their pets. And if a parent is fielding demands from a reptile-crazy youngster but hasn't said "yes" yet, the Web site offers suggestions on reptile pets that are more suitable for children than iguanas.

PET PLATES

Iowa Aussie is '1DERDOG'

There's no end to the creativity that pet-loving readers show with their vanity license plates. You keep sending them, we'll keep sharing them:

1DERDOG -- Sealy the Australian shepherd participates in all kinds of dog events. The Honda CR-V gets loaded about once a month to go on some type of cross-country excursion to a conformation, agility, herding or obedience event. During the week, Sealy usually spends one to three hours attending classes offered by one of the three local canine clubs. He has passed his Canine Good Citizen test, has three points toward his championship and is working hard on obedience. He usually assists my wife while she is feeding the ducks, goats and sheep she is raising to practice his herding activities. "1DERDOG" is really an understatement. I simply wonder what she will get him into next. He lives for all the attention, and works for my wife's praise. -- J.L., Lisbon, Iowa

K9UNUT -- When I decided I wanted a special license plate, I originally wanted K9UNIT, but it was already taken. I decided on K9UNUT which is actually more appropriate because I'm nuts about dogs. At that time I had a poodle, Buddy, and a golden retriever, Brandy. Brandy has since gone to doggie heaven. The dogs rode with me every morning and again in the afternoon to the park for their daily exercise. -- K.C., Elk Grove, Calif.

Share your pet plate! Send a jpeg image and the story of how you chose your pet plate to petconnection@gmail.com. Please include your city and state.

THE SCOOP

Make time for a New Year's neck check

Just as we've accepted that the batteries in smoke detectors need to be changed twice a year when the clocks move forward or back, I've suggested in recent years establishing a tradition for pets: the New Year's "neck check."

The neck check is easy and takes less than a minute. What you're checking for is wear and fit on your pet's collar and legibility on ID tags.

A properly fitted collar is important, but so is the right type. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice. The proper fit should be comfortably close but not too snug. Make sure your dog's not wearing a "choke" collar for everyday wear. These pose a potentially deadly hazard if left on an unsupervised dog.

Cat collars aren't widely accepted because some people fear the collars will get caught on branches and trap the cat. Other people argue that their cat stays indoors and so never needs a collar. If you're sure your cat will never, ever get out, then fine: No collar is necessary. But if your pet has ever slipped out (or might), you ought to reconsider a collar and tag. As for cats being caught by their collars, this is resolved by the simple piece of elastic in most cat collars that enables the pet to slip free of the collar in a pinch.

If you have the right kind of collar on your pet, look at the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain, you'll need to replace the collar soon.

As for those ID tags, they need checking, too. A license is great, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it's a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers -- yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible.

Don't delay in fixing any problems you find. Proper collars and up-to-date ID tags are the cheapest insurance you can buy against losing your pet for good.

BY THE NUMBERS

Pedigreed popularity

The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 37 breeds of cat for competing in its championship classes at cat shows. They range from the popular and commonly recognized Persian to such lesser-known lovelies as the American wirehair and Somali. The top breeds of pedigreed cats, according to CFA registration figures for 2003:

1. Persian

2. Maine Coon

3. Exotic

4. Siamese

5. Abyssinian

6. Birman

7. Oriental

8. American shorthair

9. Tonkinese

10. Burmese

Source: Cat Fanciers Association (www.cfa.org)

PET Rx

Sharp puppy teeth go at four months

If you have a puppy in your home now, you will be delighted to know that those sharp little baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth by the age of 4 months -- going from 28 deciduous teeth to 42 permanent ones. But problems can occur with the changeover.

Sometimes baby teeth are retained after the adult ones come in, a situation that can cause many problems, including the misalignment of permanent teeth, incorrect development of the jaw and infections. Check your puppy's mouth daily while adult teeth are erupting to ensure that the baby teeth aren't being retained -- a double row of teeth, especially in the front, tells you that they are.

Have your veterinarian check any suspicious developments. Baby teeth that refuse to fall out on their own may need to be removed by your veterinarian.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

It used to be when I wrote about indoor cats, the majority of responses would be from people who argued vehemently that there was no way a cat could be content without outdoor access. I'd also hear from people who hated those free-roaming cats, and defended their decision to trap cats and take them to the shelter (or worse).

Seems we're experiencing some big changes in the way many people care for their cats. Of the e-mails and letters I got after writing on how to keep indoor cats happy, very few argued that it was impossible. I still heard from people who hate free-roaming pet cats enough to kill them, but mostly I heard from cat lovers who were committed to keeping cats in and had ideas for making the arrangement better for all.

"I had outdoor cats as a child and now my cat lives indoors," writes one reader. "My reasons are simple: I do not want an animal outside, eating dead things, then coming in and licking and sleeping with me or my family. My cat is happy and content, and uses our 80-pound collie as her plaything. They enjoy each other's company, play games and nap together, sometimes even in the dog's crate."

Other people provide companionship by having more than one cat. Reader Rosemary W. of Virginia takes this a bit further than most folks would, with eight cats, 10 cat condos and, by her own reckoning, 18,642 cat toys. "It is like having eight kids because for the most part, they get along. But there are days when we go through the 'he/she is touching/looking at me syndrome,' and no threats I can think of help," she writes. "None of them have any interest in going outside anymore."

Rosemary uses throws to help keep the cat hair off the furniture, and reupholsters the cat trees and scratching posts with inexpensive pieces of indoor-outdoor carpeting to prevent damage to furniture.

"All of our cats are perfectly well-behaved because we have learned their personal patterns," writes Deeli C., who has three indoor cats. "The bottom line is that cats need to be given the individual attention they desire without pushing our human expectations on them. Courtesy, equality and respect are key."

Jean B. of Texas notes that sometimes an outdoor cat is a danger to others. "About 18 years ago we adopted a year-old cat, who was already an indoor/outdoor cat. She was mostly white, but came home every morning colored red! I know it was the blood of others because she never had any injuries. It was obvious she was the neighborhood bully.

"When she was about 2 we found out she had an inoperable brain tumor, which explained a lot about her attitude, and we had to put her down. I was 19 years old at the time and she was my first pet. I was truly heartbroken," she writes. "I currently have five cats, all strictly indoor. We have found that even feral cats can be happy indoors."

Linda C.'s Catzilla is one of those outdoor cats who made the transition. Her tip? Hang bird feeders outside the window to provide her cats with daily entertainment. Another suggestion: Entertain indoor cats with DVDs and videos designed to keep their attention, such as those made by KittyMotion ($20 from www.mewvie.com or 1-800-687-MEOW).

For some lucky cats, access to a safe outside enclosure really makes the difference. Sheryl R. of Vermont has built an elaborate screened enclosure, with lots of places for cat to play and chairs for human visitors as well.

While many people will continue to allow their cats unlimited access to the outdoors, and probably always will, it's clear that the decision to keep cats safely contained is one that has gained favor over the last few years. It's a trend that should continue, for the good of cats and cat lovers alike.

Q&A

Should pet ducks get wing trims?

Q: I have always wanted a pet duck. Do I need to have her wings clipped to keep her home? We have a small pond and a ton of (nonbaited) snails. What do you think? -- S.W., via e-mail

A: When it comes to bird advice, I always turn to Dr. Brian Speer, my "Birds for Dummies" co-author. In addition to being past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (www.aav.org) and a popular speaker at veterinary conferences around the world, Speer is one of only a handful of veterinarians certified as avian specialists in both North America and Europe. On his two-acre "bird ranch" in the San Francisco Bay Area he has also had every kind of bird imaginable, from parrots to emus, quail to turkeys, ostriches to finches.

Speer notes that both clipped and unclipped pet ducks face hazards.

By clipping the outer primary flight feathers of most pet ducks, their ability to take off and fly is temporarily removed, he says, noting that feathers do regrow after moulting and would need to be continuously monitored and clipped as needed. The biggest problem: Clipped wings leave ducks grounded and vulnerable to predators.

What would happen if you don't keep wings trimmed? Speer says pet ducks who can fly most likely will fly. And that also has risks: Your ducks may fly into the neighbor's yard where dogs may injure or kill the birds, or your ducks may fly into roadways or onto other equally hazardous landing sites.

"Pet ducks are a source of great enjoyment," says Speer. "I would recommend a fenced enclosure -- including the top -- that will keep the birds in and predators out. When you're in the yard, the birds could be out, and when you are away, they can remain fenced and protected."

Q: When our cat got sick, our veterinarian recommended giving her human baby food to coax her to eat until she felt better. Is that healthy? -- O.S., via e-mail

A: Pureed meat in those tiny jars meant for human babies is commonly recommended to help sick cats keep eating. The diet's not meant to be a long-term solution, but rather is an important strategy for keeping a sick cat from getting sicker.

As I'm sure your veterinarian told you, it's important to make sure you're not choosing a variety of baby food with onion powder in it because of the risk the substance poses to your already ill cat. Read the label!

Warming up your cat's food will increase its appeal. Microwave it for 30 seconds or so, and then stir to eliminate any hot spots. You want the food to be a tick above your body temperature -- warm, but not hot.

It's important when you're nursing a sick pet that you understand your veterinarian's instructions and get all your questions answered. Don't be afraid to call for more information if questions come up after you leave your veterinarian's office. Any good veterinarian would prefer that you completely understand what's required of you, rather than have you guess wrong when it comes to home nursing care and your pet's life is on the line.

Q: How often does a cat's litter box have to be cleaned? I use clumping litter and would rather clean it every few days. Is that enough? I hate cleaning the box! -- S.C., via e-mail

A: Ideally the box should be scooped every time the cat uses it, or a couple of times a day at least. Realistically, daily attention is probably fine.

By not keeping up on the cleaning, you're taking a chance that your cat will stop using the box. When it comes to litter boxes -- filler, placement, cleanliness -- when the cat's not happy, no one's happy.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

Crazy about cats? Company a click away

What's crazy about loving cats? Nothing, and that's exactly the reason the Crazy Cat Ladies Society & Gentlemen's Auxiliary (www.crazycatladies.org) have claimed "crazy" as their own, to playfully thumb their noses at people who think serious cat lovers are nuts.

The society raises money for some worthy causes -- cat-related, of course -- as well as offering links to cat-related news stories, advice on feline health and behavior, Web logs and even a boutique. Funds raised are donated to Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org), which promotes the humane and nonlethal control of feral cats.

In all, the Crazy Cat Ladies have a lighthearted site with some seriously good information. There's also a forum area to schmooze with like-minded cat lovers. Crazy cat ladies (and gentlemen) of the world unite!

PET Rx

Better diet key to rabbit health

Prevention is the key to keeping bladder stones at bay in pet rabbits. Veterinarians who specialize in the care of exotic animals suggest these strategies:

-- Use rabbit food pellets sparingly, if at all. Instead, rabbits should be offered a constant supply of high-quality grass hay, along with daily rations of a variety of fresh vegetables, especially those of the dark-green leafy variety.

-- Encourage water consumption. Water can be made more appealing by adding a small amount of fruit juice with no sugar added. Experiment to see what your rabbit likes best.

-- Let your pet exercise. Sitting in a small cage for life is neither mentally nor physically healthy for a rabbit. Your pet needs to be able to play in a rabbit-safe area on a daily basis, at least.

-- Don't neglect a trip to the veterinarian if your rabbit is acting "off." Changes in eating or elimination habits are often a sign of illness. Prompt veterinary attention may save your pet's life.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

TIP

Donation a great gift for a pet lover

Does you Aunt Anita really need another candle? Does your Uncle Arthur want another tie? Instead of shelling out money on gifts that will likely go into the closet to be "re-gifted" to someone else next year, give the pet lovers in your life something that will make a difference: a membership or donation to an animal charity.

The best place to start is with your local shelter. Even modest organizations usually have gift membership programs in place. For your contribution, your gift should comes with a year's subscription to the group's newsletter and sometimes discounts on local goods and services.

Animal-health foundations are also a good bet. Your nearest school or college of veterinary medicine will have a fund set up to accept donations, either for scholarships or ongoing research into animal health. To find your nearest school or college of veterinary medicine, visit VetNet (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetnet.html). The Morris Animal Foundation (www.morrisanimalfoundation.org), AKC Canine Health Foundation (www.akcchf.org) and Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org) also accept donations to support research into animal health.

National advocacy groups have a wide range of programs and agendas, and you should investigate a group's goals and funding prior to making a donation in another's name. For every person who thinks the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (www.peta.org) is courageous, there are at least that many who are extremely opposed to them. Likewise with a group such as Heifer International (www.heifer.org), which works to provide food animals to third-world countries. A heroic effort to some, but probably not the best donation in the name of the leather-avoiding vegan in your life.

Some animal-related charities are notorious for paying high salaries to executives while delivering relatively little funding to the programs they're supposed to be supporting. Several Web sites are good for investigating charities, among them Guidestar (www.guidestar.org) and CharityNavigator (www.charitynavigator.org).

BY THE NUMBERS

Paging Dr. Pet

Studies have consistently shown that animals are good for not only our mental well-being but our physical health as well. Not surprisingly, 92 percent of people polled in 2002 said they believed their pet provided them with some personal health benefits:

My pet eases my stress level: 84 percent

My pet helps improve my mental health: 71 percent

Providing exercise for my pet has improved my physical fitness: 34 percent

My pet lowers my blood pressure: 32 percent

Source: American Animal Hospital Association

The Scoop

License plates to help animals

Florida is one of the most recent entries into a very caring club: The state will soon be issuing vehicle license plates with a spay-neuter message, with proceeds going to spay-neuter programs.

The state is in good company. According to the Cat Fanciers Association, Florida joins 18 states in which similar plates are already available: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

A handful of other states are considering similar action, including Arizona. That state laid the groundwork over the summer and set a deadline of June 30 for a nonprofit to step up and pay the state's expenses to begin issuing the plates, which will then provide funds for spay-neuter programs.

License plates with spay-neuter messages seem to be one of the rare areas of legislative action where both breeder-rights and animal-welfare groups agree.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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