meet shakespeare!

"i am as vigilante as a cat to steal cream" - the bard said that, this shakespeare would be happy just to find a new home with someone to rub against. he is currently hanging out at our west side store meowing for attention and pets. for more info on adopting shakespeare contact the happy cat club of madison.

science is finally trying to catch up with us! colorado state university plans first study on the benefits of probiotics on irritable bowel disease in cats.

wacky cat facts! they have 44 more bones than we do, giving them the ability to squeeze through tiny spaces, get their heads stuck, and become a news item.

what every sci-fi -loving cat lady needs, a hello kitty stormtrooper!

cat worship and fun facts!

here's a new word for ya, ailurophile. it doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue like canophile, but it means one who loves, is preoccupied by, or worships cats. obviously if you're reading this right now, at least part of your heart is an ailurophile.

we are obvious cat worshippers at madcat. everything we do is focused on making our feline companions (deities?) happy, healthy and feeling like the gods they were held as by the egyptians. in fact, the people of ancient egypt are thought to be the first to ever be lucky enough to coexist with cats. upon quickly recognizing their other-worldly behaviors and abilities and noticing their granaries becoming rodent-free the people elevated the cat to goddess status, thus, the cult of bastet was founded. in fact, cats were so revered that they were given the ceremonial burial of mummification, as offerings to bastet. to read up more on the fascinating history of the lapcats we know and love today, check out this article on wikipedia.

now, here's a list of reasons why cats rule and deserve our praises:

- the ridged pattern on a cat's nose is as individual as a human thumbprint
- sir isaac newton invented the cat flap
- cats have existed longer than humans
- cats can jump 5-times their height
- cats have the largest eyes in proportion to their body size of all mammals
- the domestic cat is the only species of cat that can hold its tail upright while walking

and, perhaps this last one is evidence that cats might just be aliens after all...
- cats are the only domesticated animal not mentioned in the bible

so go home tonight and give your kitty some extra praise. who knows? their mother ship might be on its way right now....

more fur, more fun!

cats are like jell-o, pudding and everything else that is good in the world - there's always room for more. myth and disinformation has abounded for years telling us that cats are solitary creatures and prefer to be alone. well if that was the case then we would definitely have a problem on our hands with morty, nikki and lucy all sharing the west-side store. the truth is that many cats actually prefer feline companionship for playing, grooming and napping buddies. of course this won't be true for all cats, but it is definitely something to consider if you are thinking of adopting a new kitty. the best part of having more than one cat is that they tend to run a lot more and tire each other out - if you have a busy family, two might be just right for you.

fun fact! a group of two or more cats who live and socialize together is called a clowder.

of course what comes with two kitties is twice the hair, but with the right grooming tools and a lot of patience you can have the shedding under control. here's a great article with taps on how to get rid of and avoid matting in longer-haired cats. remember, lots of treats and cuddles help to make even the most bothersome of activities more fun for both you and your kitty.