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Mostly sunny. High 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Partly cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.

Contributed photoPictured with CGHS/SPCA Animal Care Technician Sammy Blish, Loki is a 2-and-a-half year old American Staffordshire Terrier who has been calling the shelter his home since April. He’s the sweetest boy, with the goofiest personality. The only thing he loves more than soaking up the sun is playing with toys with his favorite person, he’s never shy about showing affection. Loki will need to be managed with other dogs, and cannot be sent home with cats or kids. He is the dog of the month for September; which means his adoption fee is sponsored (free).

Contributed photoPictured with CGHS/SPCA Animal Care Technician Sammy Blish, Loki is a 2-and-a-half year old American Staffordshire Terrier who has been calling the shelter his home since April. He’s the sweetest boy, with the goofiest personality. The only thing he loves more than soaking up the sun is playing with toys with his favorite person, he’s never shy about showing affection. Loki will need to be managed with other dogs, and cannot be sent home with cats or kids. He is the dog of the month for September; which means his adoption fee is sponsored (free).

Though it seems as if we’ve neglected our feline friends in this column, they certainly have not been neglected at our Columbia-Greene Shelter. Our free roam cat rooms are bursting at the seams with a beautiful and diversified section of adoptees, one more interesting and exotic than the other. We need your help.

Cats make easy and reasonable-to-maintain companions for any age, but are especially appropriate for our seniors and the housebound. Indoor cats have little need for veterinary intervention. They don’t pick up fleas, ticks, worms and mites. Their dry food diet can be left out, eliminating the need to “get home to feed the cat.” Most of our companion kitties can be left alone, as long as water and litter needs are attended to.

Grooming (unless it’s your passion) and nail care requirements are easy to maintain. My favorite grooming tool for my felines is a flea comb. I can get down deep to get out the dead and shedding hair coat. I’ve yet to need to clean the ears of any of my indoor cats. Nails are done weekly with my fingernail clippers — but for those who are neurotic about potential “picks,” we often have gorgeous declawed companions available.

Some clients mention that hairballs can be a nuisance — do we have a product for you. In addition to the Katalax and Laxatone products which can be applied to the tongue weekly to prevent hairballs, the Pounce company has come out with a cat treat with Hairball Gel inside of it. My guys love the treats, and when used regularly, I find that the incidence of cough and wretch seem centuries old.

Cats have great mental health, and they excel at the ability to entertain themselves. But most importantly, the love, attention, affection and entertainment they bestow, repays us one hundred-fold for our hospice to them.

Your indoor/outdoor cats need a bit more intervention. Inoculations are imperative. Absolutely flea and tick protocols are necessary, along with periodic treatment for worms as advised by your veterinarian. Reflective collars and small bells are used by many owners. Don’t forget our “barn-savvy” cats who would love to grace your facility.

We have someone purrfect for everyone. Another APB as well — we are still in need of cat food for our Food Bank…thank you/

So, come down and pick out your health-net “immune booster.” Our staff knows each animal intimately and can match you with the fabulous feline of your dreams. We will also seek sponsorship to assist those on limited incomes. CGHS is our name and placement’s the game.

Please attend our Open House 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24.

Feel free to call us with any questions at 518-828-6044 or visit www.cghs.org. The Food Bank is open to any from the public in need of pet food or for those wishing to donate food from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $86 male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination. Nail clipping services are available every 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the shelter for a donation of $10 for cats and $15 for dogs (currently prepaid only).

Charlene Marchand is the Chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.com.

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