Introducing “Meow Match” – A Dating App for Cats!

by The Ark Manager | Feb 13, 2025 | Blog, Happenings at The Ark

Okay, we may not have actually designed a dating app for cats, but we did put together some dating profiles for some of our friendliest felines who find themselves at The Ark this Valentine’s day!

Remember, if you’re interested in adopting, you can expedite the process by filling out an application!

Use the fullscreen option for the best experience.

Lady Shadow and Mr. Ham

by The Ark Manager | Feb 12, 2025 | Cats, Successful Cat Adoptions

Meow Meow! Our names are Lady Shadow and Mr. Ham! We just arrived at the shelter not too long ago because our parents moved into a new facility and could not take us with them ): We LOVE attention and are soo so sweet. We aren’t related by blood but that doesn’t diminish our bond; we spend our days cuddling and grooming each other! Do you have room in your hearts and home for the two of us?

Lady Shadow is 3 years old and Mr. Ham is 11, though he doesn’t seem it! He has a young soul and curious spirit.

February is National Cat Health Month

by The Ark Manager | Feb 7, 2025 | Ark EDU

National Cat Health Month: Why Regular Vet Visits Matter for Your Cat

February is National Cat Health Month, and we’re taking this opportunity to highlight simple ways you can keep your cat happy and healthy! One of the biggest things you can do for your feline friend? Make sure they see the vet regularly!

Are Cats Really That Different from Dogs?

Cats are experts at hiding illness, which means they often don’t show signs of being sick until things are more serious. Despite this, less than 60% of cat owners take their cats for an annual checkup, according to a 2024 AVMA survey. Meanwhile, dogs head to the vet much more often—even though a cat’s visit typically costs half as much as a dog’s.

For indoor-only cats, many people assume they’re not exposed to the same risks and don’t need as many vet visits. But that’s not actually in your cat’s best interest! Here’s why:

🐾 Preventive care is key – Routine exams help catch health issues before they become serious.

🐾 Vaccinations still matter – In Maine, rabies vaccinations are legally required, even for indoor cats.

🐾 Parasites aren’t just an outdoor problem – Fleas, ticks, and even heartworms can still find their way inside.

🐾 Emergency care access – Many vet clinics can’t take emergencies unless the pet is a current patient, meaning your cat could be turned away in a crisis if they haven’t been seen in over a year.

Make Your Cat’s Health a Priority

An annual checkup is a simple way to keep your cat healthy, comfortable, and safe for years to come. If your cat hasn’t been to the vet in a while, now is a great time to schedule that appointment!

Stay tuned for more tips throughout February – because keeping your cat healthy goes beyond the vet’s office!

📚 For More Information:

How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet? (PetMD)
Why Your Cat Should Go to the Vet (ASPCA Pet Insurance)

The Truth About Declawing

by The Ark Manager | Jan 24, 2025 | Ark EDU, Blog

You’ve brought home a new cat or kitten. It’s so exciting! They’re exploring the house and suddenly you hear an odd sound. A rhythmic ticking… or is it a ripping? On a quest to discover the source of the sound, you’re shocked to find your beautiful new furry friend on their own mission to de-stuff your favorite recliner! Upset, you call a friend who tells you “oh, my cat did that too! Plus, she even scratched my grandkids! I got her declawed, problem solved!”

Eagerly, you call a few vet offices and discover that many don’t do elective declawings. Why, you might ask? Because after years of research and observation, we have discovered the lasting damage that declawing surgeries actually cause cats! There are much safer, more humane ways to curb unwanted clawing and scratching than to declaw the pet you promised to care for.

What’s wrong with declawing?

Onychectomy is not simply a removal of claws themselves, but the surgical removal of bone structures at the end of your cat’s toes. The human equivalent is losing the last joint on every finger and toe.

A diagram of a human hand with dotted lines and scissors showing where declawing is equivalent to amputating a cat's digits, visually explaining the procedure's severity.

This can cause a variety of problems such as:

Chronic pain
- Nerve pain, pain from bone fragments, even phantom pain from losing part of a limb
Limping or lameness
Arthritis
Recurrent infections of the toes
Nails growing back improperly
Biting
- Due to pain, inability to use claws, or out of frustration
Inability to defend themselves
- Even indoor cats are exposed to threats, or could sneak out
Litter box avoidance
- Cats experiencing pain related to their feet are highly sensitive to the textures they walk on, making litter box issues a major concern for many declawed cats
Requires anesthesia and all the associated risks of any major surgery

Scratching is a natural behavior!

Just like dogs chew, cats scratch. They are biologically designed to file their claws for survival, and they accomplish this by scratching. Cats require appropriate surfaces to express this behavior, which means providing enriching and attractive scratching options.

You may have tried similar things in the past, but unfortunately for us cat-servants, it’s up to the cat what an “enriching” and “attractive” surface is! This means you may have to experiment with different textures, shapes, and materials to determine what keeps your cat interested. You can encourage your cat to engage with their scratching options by feeding them on their cat tree, putting the cardboard scratcher by their favorite arm of the couch, sprinkling treats in the scratcher box, or sprinkling some fresh catnip on the scratcher daily.

You can also work on making the surfaces your cat likes to scratch less available to them when unsupervised, or use a scent-based deterrent on the couch while offering a scratching post with treats and catnip on it nearby.

Additionally, you should keep your cat’s nails trimmed. By clipping your cat’s nails you can prevent harmful scratching and ensure that there is no overgrowth. Untrimmed nails can become extremely sharp and can even grow into the toepad if not maintained properly.

Offering other forms of enrichment such as lick mats, treat dispensing toys, and interactive toys can help bust your cat’s boredom and expand their range of fun activities – away from your armchair.

We do not support declawing

The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter does not support declawing – and we’re in excellent, educated company! The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) have all expressed opposition to this procedure. VCA Animal Hospitals now decline to perform this elective procedure due to the serious ramifications to the cat’s health and wellbeing.

A black cat with green eyes reaching out its paw, symbolizing a call for help and support, paired with an invitation to reach out for educational resources and advice.

We are here for you!

If you need help with your cat’s destructive behavior, please reach out. Our mission is to keep cats healthy, happy, and thriving in their homes—scratching included! We’re here to share humane alternatives, practical tips, and resources to help you redirect unwanted behaviors while building a stronger bond with your kitty best friend. You can contact us any time.