Pet Pride of California

PET PRIDE is a California non-profit organization which was incorporated January 6, 1965. It is a humane, educational institution which is trying to systematically deal with the problems faced by the homeless, stray, abused, unwanted and neglected cat. It is the largest, oldest and most well-known charitable organization in the United States that deals solely with the cat. Its aims are to confront the problems of the feline and through education, enable the cat to live a richer, fuller and happier life.

One of the most basic philosophies which is constantly disseminated to the public is the necessity of neutering and spaying. Coupled with the need for population control is the fact that neutered cats live a happier and safer life. The neutered pet does not spray or call for a mate and unbred whole females chance developing an often fatal uterine infection. We are by no means alone in this precept; many humane societies also preach the neuter/spay concept. But we go further than most do. We feel that the cat is entitled to proper veterinary care, a good, nourishing diet, healthful, enjoyable surroundings and plenty of love and attention. We try to educate the public on the entire proper care of the cat and deal with all types of questions from nutrition to behavioral problems. We also directly confront head-on the controversy regarding the indoor/outdoor cat. We feel that the only safe, proper, loving environment for a cat is one in which he is kept strictly indoors at all times, unless he is in a completely cat-proof screened patio or the like or is walked on a harness. We point out the many perils that the outdoor cat has to deal with, many of them fatal. The indoor cat however, is kept safe; safe from traffic, safe from physical abuse by other animals and people; safe from disease.

During the last several decades there has been an increasing awareness of the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) for which there is no cure and which has meant certain death for many outdoor cats. It is spread by contact with the excretions of another infected cat, usually by blood, urine, saliva and/or feces. The outdoor cat chances infection many times daily. We do not believe that a cat needs his "freedom" or that his nature is interfered with in any way by his protection. On the contrary, with an attractive, clean indoor home, toys to play with and the comfort of human love and companionship, the cat would not choose to deal with constant threats of death at every turn.

Information is spread to the public in many ways. Our phone lines are constantly busy. We try to answer as many questions as we can and refer any medical problems to a veterinarian. We receive hundreds of letters each month which are answered. We have various literature covering specific cat care areas and we have regularly scheduled publications. Our newsletter is named the PET PRIDE PURR-RESS. Our winter edition always contains lovely cat stamps featuring our "shelter kitties." We maintain and update a mailing list of some 50,000 people who receive all of our mailings. Our mailing list includes interested "cat people" in every state of the United States, Canada, Mexico and several foreign countries.

In order that the public may see a proper cat environment at work and in order to help as many homeless cats as possible, we established a PET PRIDE Shelter in 1970 in Los Angeles which we call PET PRIDE's "Home for Cats." It is quite different from any other shelters existing for two very important reasons. Our resident cats live uncaged except for new admittees awating neutering or cats receiving medical treatment. We do NOT euthanize any of our cats for any reason except terminal, suffering illness. Our shelter consists of two regular houses which are joined together by a large glassed patio. Other separate buildings include our admissions/office area, our clinic and our kitten "condo" that are to the rear. Each of our houses has large metal mesh doors which separate the rooms and each room is designed to project a living room type surrounding. Each house also contains a large fully screened and "escape proof" patio with many wooden shelves for climbing, sunning and playing. The access to both houses is from the rear, which itself is fully fenced to prevent escape. We house and care for about 300 cats at any one time. We screen adopting parents to be certain they will provide devoted, indoor homes. We are limited in our number due to space requirements and, of course, funding.

Cats who are new admittees are checked for FeLV and receive a medical examination. They receive their 4 in 1 shot and Leukemia shots and are weighed and their teeth checked. In the following days they are neutered or spayed if unaltered. They are then placed in our kitty house where they can become accustomed to living with other cats and where we closely monitor their eating and behavior patterns. The "cat" house is cageless, fully furnished for the cats' comforts and kept spotlessly clean. Food, fresh water and clean litter are always available. Low ash dry food is plentiful in supply and the cats are fed their "wet" meals twice daily that consist of nutritionally balanced beef by-products, specifically formulated for cats. There are toys to play with, sofas, chairs, cat climbing trees, pillows and beds to lay on, patios to visit and much human companionship, petting and loving. They are quite at home and ready and willing to greet our many shelter visitors. They are constantly watched for any signs of medial problems and any ill cat is immediately taken to our clinic. Routine problems are handled in house and supervised by our overseeing vet; complex cases are treated at our veterinarian's hospital. We provide all of our "residents" with regularly scheduled booster vaccines and even regular dental care! Our cats are flea free, ear mite free and very healthy indeed. You won't see any sniffles or runny eyes in our midst and all of our cats receive devoted care from all of our staff and many volunteers.

We hope to be able to provide a "model" shelter concept for other groups to follow, particularly the cageless concept. By our many doors, constant disinfection and cleaning, attentive supervision, our open environment means a happy, well-adjusted cat. Our costs, of course, are quite high.

In addition to the donations received from our newsletters and stamps, we have devised two unique programs which help us to maintain some monthly balance to our income. The concept of our "Foster Feline Program" was started over 20 years ago. Members send us $ 20 per month and in return are assigned one specific cat as their "Foster Kitty." The "parent(s)" receive a welcome letter from their feline along with a color photo plus updated correspondences. "Parents" are encouraged to visit if possible to meet their kitty in person. This is an especially attractive program to many who love cats and wish to help them but cannot have one of their own. We have participating foster parents in many areas of the county, Canada and Mexico, some of whom have come and adopted their kitty into their own home! Additionally we have a "Patron Program" available to supporters who wish to send us an automatic monthly donation from their checking account which may be as minimal as $5 per month.

Information is available on request to those who wish to provide for their own cats in their will by entrusting their cat's care to us or who wish to provide a bequest which will assist us to continue our important work in their honor.

Our staff stands ready and willing to assist and we invite you to see our caring facility. Our "Home for Cats" is located at 3350 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90034 and our visiting hours are 11AM to 4PM daily (excepting Wednesdays and Sundays). We are closed on major holidays. Our phone number is (310) 836-5427 and our Shelter Manager will be glad to answer any questions you may have or will refer your inquiry onto the proper person. We sincerely thank you for your interest and your support of our very important work.

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