Be Careful Of Dyed Cat Toys

[jcat]

On Monday morning, one of the water bowls in a cat room at the shelter contained charcoal- gray water. There were dark gray streaks all over the commercial-grade vinyl floor of the room, and a little tabby's front paws were stained.

The culprit was a black toy mouse that had been "drowned" in the water bowl, then batted around the room. Shampooing hasn't removed the stains on the cat's paws; fortunately she apparently didn't pick up the mouse in her mouth or chew on it, as there was no discoloration around her mouth or on her tongue.

The streaks on the floor didn't come off with all-purpose cleaner or scouring powder.

We didn't find any packaging in the trash, and nobody has owned up to giving the cats the mouse, so we have no idea what brand it was or where it was made. What if it was toxic?

Just another thing to worry about.

 

[Margret]

I would totally avoid any toy made with fabric from China. If it was dyed in the U.S. there are safety laws for dye here that should make it safe, even if it does bleed. All of which does not help you with the problem when you don't have the packaging.

Is there a chance that a visitor to the shelter tossed a toy in, thinking to be kind? That would explain why everyone who works there denies having given her the toy. You may need to change your security procedures -- no unsupervised visitations.

Margret

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

Geez. Sending good vibes all the shelter kitties stay well!

 

[jcat]

Is there a chance that a visitor to the shelter tossed a toy in, thinking to be kind? That would explain why everyone who works there denies having given her the toy. You may need to change your security procedures -- no unsupervised visitations.

The shelter was open to visitors Saturday afternoon, so it's quite possible. She and her brother are now reserved; it could have been their prospective adopters. Supervising all visitors is kind of tough, because we're very shorthanded. Usually only two or three staff members (primarily volunteers) are there per shift, and it was worse than usual due to the holiday weekend. When a lot of people come at once, it's hard to keep an eye on everybody the whole time.

Laura (9 months)

Her very shy brother, Luis

 

[PushPurrCatPaws]

Oh my, those are the photos of two cats on High Alert! Look at their eyes and postures. Danger, Will Robinson! Those must have been photos from their initial days in the shelter; it's always scary at first.



Lovely cats! They'll feel much better when in their forever home.

 

[Margret]

The shelter was open to visitors Saturday afternoon, so it's quite possible. She and her brother are now reserved; it could have been their prospective adopters. Supervising all visitors is kind of tough, because we're very shorthanded. Usually only two or three staff members (primarily volunteers) are there per shift, and it was worse than usual due to the holiday weekend. When a lot of people come at once, it's hard to keep an eye on everybody the whole time.

Laura (9 months)
View attachment 177170

Her very shy brother, Luis
View attachment 177171

Okay, going on the assumption that this was not a deliberate attack on shelter cats by giving them something likely to be poisonous (which seems reasonable to me), perhaps a sign:

Please do not give any toys to the shelter animals without checking with a staff member first.

Most people are willing to comply with this kind of rule, especially when it's stated in a polite manner, and there could be all kinds of reasons for it -- perhaps a particular animal is skittish around certain kinds of toys, for instance, something that staff would know about but visitors wouldn't.

I'm glad to hear that these sweet little beauties have prospective adopters; I hope they'll be going to the same home, for Luis's sake.

Margret

 

[IndyJones]

Don't know these cats personalities but that black cats expression is priceless!

"Wait, neuter means doing what to me?!"

 

[amysuen]

Yikes!

I like the sign idea, but would add "For safety's sake" so people realize you're not just trying to tell them what to do. Some people get that way.

 

[IndyJones]

Perhaps you could provide some interactive wand toys for visitors to use.

 

[jcat]

The cats have plenty of (interactive) toys, actually, primarily donations for the cats/dogs or for the shelter to sell, but also free gifts from suppliers. Some people give gorgeous handmade toys.

Those photos were taken the day after admission; the siblings had already spent over six months at a larger shelter where nobody was interested in adopting them. He's extremely shy, but she has never met a stranger and will jump into your arms. It's funny how different siblings can be. What I find hysterical is that they go to the litter box together. As soon as she wants to do her business, he jumps in and does his, too, and covers both his and hers afterwards.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Such a gentleman!

 

[Margret]

Such a gentleman!

Margret