Category Archives: animals

🖤 The Unlucky Myth: Why Black Cats Deserve Better

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Its National Black Cat day

Today is a chance to help black cats everywhere cast off their underserved reputation as an omen of bad luck.  As the lead in to Halloween we take a moment to show our love and support for this mis- understood feline.

 

 

A Shadowed Reputation

Despite their sleek beauty and playful personalities, black cats often face unfair stigma. Rooted in centuries-old superstitions, these felines are still seen by some as omens of bad luck—a myth that continues to cast a long shadow over their fate.

The Adoption Gap

According to several animal-advocacy groups and adoption agencies, black cats experience significantly lower rates of adoption compared to their more colorful counterparts. Their dark coats may make them less noticeable in shelters, and outdated beliefs can deter potential adopters.

A Grim Reality

Tragically, this bias has real consequences. Black cats are euthanized at higher rates than other breeds, simply because they’re overlooked or misunderstood. Shelters often struggle to find homes for them, especially during peak intake seasons.

 

Turning the Tide

It’s time to rewrite the narrative. Black cats are just as loving, quirky, and magical as any other feline. By choosing to adopt a black cat, you’re not only gaining a loyal companion—you’re helping dismantle harmful myths and giving a deserving animal a second chance.

Our pet model for this post is Balboa, the photographer Deb Neumann. All rights reserved

Clicks That Count

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Clicks That Count: Supporting Causes When Money Is Tight

We all have causes that tug at our hearts. Maybe it’s eradicating homelessness, supporting our veterans, or helping children in need. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity—Jimmy Carter’s favorite charity—and Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T), which pays mortgages for fallen heroes’ families, do incredible work. Then there’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the ASPCA, both household names in charitable giving. These nonprofits often ask for monthly contributions, which is wonderful if you can afford it. But what if you can’t?

The Greater Good: A Click That Feeds

For me, animals are the cause that speaks loudest. I wouldn’t argue that animal charities are more important than those supporting children or veterans—that’s a tough case to make. But animals are my heart’s choice. That’s why every morning, I post a link on Facebook to The Animal Rescue Site, part of the Greater Good network. Each click on that link helps fund food for shelter animals, thanks to generous donors. It’s completely free to click, so even when money is tight, you can still make a difference.

https://theanimalrescuesite.com/

More Than Just Animals

Maybe animals aren’t your passion—and that’s perfectly okay. The beauty of the Greater Good website is its wide range of causes. When you click my link, you’ll land on a page with a “View Causes” tab. From there, you can support efforts like rainforest conservation, breast cancer research, diabetes awareness, veterans’ meals, and more. Each click helps fund real-world impact, and none of it costs you a dime.

Pick Your Passion and Share the Link

It only takes a minute to help. Whether you’re drawn to animals, environmental causes, or human health, there’s a click for you. And if you ever lose the link, don’t worry—I share it every morning. One click, one cause, one moment of kindness. Let’s make those moments count.

 

Hop to It: Kangaroo Awareness Day Is Here

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.Celebrate Australia’s National Kangaroo Awareness Day on October 24 with lore, laughs, and a leap into conservation!

🦘 A Day for the Bounding Icons of Australia

Every October 24, Australians (and marsupial fans worldwide) celebrate National Kangaroo Awareness Day—a heartfelt tribute to one of the planet’s most unique and misunderstood animals. With their powerful legs, curious gaze, and pouch-bound joeys, kangaroos are more than just a national symbol—they’re ecological keystones and cultural treasures.

This day raises awareness about the threats kangaroos face, including habitat loss and commercial hunting. It’s also a chance to spotlight their quirky behaviors, evolutionary marvels, and the joy they bring to those lucky enough to encounter them.

Kangaroo Lore: From Tree-Dwellers to Desert Sprinters

Did you know kangaroos evolved from possum-like ancestors that once lived in trees? Around 30 million years ago, these creatures descended to the forest floor and began adapting to Australia’s shifting landscapes. As grasslands spread, kangaroos developed their iconic hop—a locomotion style seen mostly in small animals but perfected by these big-footed “macropods”.

Why hop? Scientists theorize it’s a mix of speed, energy efficiency, and the need to keep their arms free for foraging. Plus, hopping helps them escape predators—rodents that hop are twice as likely to survive as those that run!

How to Celebrate with Heart (and Humor)

  • 🐾 Adopt a Kangaroo Buddy: Support wildlife sanctuaries by symbolically adopting a kangaroo. You’ll get updates on your furry friend’s adventures!
  • 🎬 Kangaroo Movie Night: Watch classics like Skippy the Bush Kangaroo or documentaries that showcase kangaroo life.
  • 🎨 Craft & Color: Make kangaroo masks, paint hopping scenes, or dive into coloring books with your kids—or your inner child.
  • 📸 Social Media Shout-Out: Share kangaroo facts, photos, or your own artwork using hashtags like #KangarooAwarenessDay.
  • 🍪 Bake Kangaroo Cookies: Whip up a batch of kangaroo-shaped treats using themed cookie cutters.  Perfect for parties, classrooms, or cozy afternoons.

🛒 Affiliate Note: Some of the kangaroo cookie cutters I mention may be affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that add a dash of joy and creativity to your celebration.

  • 🦘 Visit a Zoo: If you’re in Massachusetts, you don’t have to hop far to meet a kangaroo in person! Both Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon feature kangaroo exhibits where you can observe these marsupials up close. It’s a great way to connect with wildlife, snap a few photos, and support conservation efforts

Lulu the Brave: A Kangaroo Heroine

In 2003, a hand-reared kangaroo named Lulu saved her human family by alerting them to a fallen farmer. Her bravery earned her the RSPCA Australia National Animal Valor Award—a reminder that kangaroos aren’t just cute, they’re courageous.

Whether you’re crafting kangaroo cookies or sharing marsupial memes, October 24 is a chance to leap into action for these magnificent creatures. Let’s celebrate with joy, creativity, and a pouch full of purpose.

 

Halloween Pet Costumes

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🎃 Pet Costumes for Halloween

We regret to announce that Welcoming Haven will not be offering pet costumes for Halloween this year. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure reasonable shipping rates from our suppliers. At Welcoming Haven, we’re committed to providing quality products at fair prices—and in this case, we couldn’t meet that standard.

But don’t worry! There are still plenty of adorable options out there.

🛍️ Amazon has a wide selection of pet costumes—from spooky to silly, cozy to creative. You can explore their collection and order directly here.

These are just a few samples available through Amazon.

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support Welcoming Haven at no extra cost to you.

Happy Halloween

 

Cats, Feral and Global

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Cats, Feral and Global: A Day to Celebrate Our Whiskered Wanderers
October 16

What a day! When I checked my calendar, I found a whole lineup of observances: National Feral Cat Day, Global Cat Day, National Boss’s Day, World Allergy Awareness Day, and Get Smart About Credit Day—just to name a few.

The choice was easy for me. I’m a cat person through and through, as Banner and Balboa will gladly confirm.

Banner & Balboa

I’m retired and self-employed now, running my online store Welcoming Haven, so there’s no boss to celebrate.

World Allergy Awareness Day? With its runny noses, wheezy breaths, and itchy red eyes, it can take a back seat to my kitties—though I’ll admit, cats are one of nature’s most common allergens. And as for Get Smart About Credit Day… well, that’s a bit like weight loss. I know what to do, I know what should be done, but I don’t always follow my own advice.

So let’s stick to cats.

Feral Cats I’ve Known and Loved

Years ago, I cared for a feral cat colony at the apartment complex where I lived. People would move out and leave their pets behind. Not all were spayed or neutered, and before long, a colony formed from these abandoned animals. It broke my heart. These cats didn’t understand why they were suddenly on the streets, but they quickly learned to be wary of humans. That first generation wasn’t truly feral—but their kittens were.

Each new litter grew more skittish and shy. Then one day, I spotted a neighbor’s child holding a tiny ball of fluff. Long story short: I rescued that little creature, and Rocky came into my life. He was my beloved companion for 19 years.

Rocky

The best rescue I’ve ever done.

This is love- Rocky

Global Cat Day

Global Cat Day takes National Feral Cat Day one step further. It reminds us that no matter where we live, we can empower people to defend and protect cats—feral, stray, or otherwise.

In the U.S., we have the famous polydactyl cats of Hemingway’s House in Key West.

Hemingway Cats

 

In Japan, there are entire cat islands like Tashirojima and Aoshima.

Cats of Aoshima

Rome is home to an estimated 120,000 cats, many living in colonies legally protected by a 1991 law. And of course, ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as divine beings.

Clearly, cats have left their paw prints all over the world.

Wrapping Up

They say dogs are man’s best friend, but I’d argue that cats are tied for first place. Even feral cats—those too wary for cuddles or lap time—deserve love, care, and respect.

If you have a feral colony near you, consider working with a local vet to set up a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program. True ferals may never become house pets, but they can live healthy, peaceful lives—especially when they’re not trying to repopulate the world.

Want to learn more about TNR programs? Click here to explore resources and get involved.   Alley Cat Allies, Cat Man ChrisÂ