I had sought after a vegetarian diet for my cats for years, but, like everyone else, constantly ran up against a brick wall. (When I learned of Vegecat), I immediately ordered some. Though some of my brood are still holding out for their kibbles, many (especially the younger ones not yet set in their ways) flock around when they see me get out the mixing bowl. I’ve had great fun with the recipes in the book, and now understand the proportions well enough to make up some of my own. The cats on the diet are really thriving so far. In fact, at a cat show this past weekend, one of my kittens received a “Best Kitten in Show” award. The judge remarked on his excellent condition, and I was very proud to announce that he is a vegetarian!
Though the word “breeder” tends to have a bad connotation these days, I believe, as in all walks of life, there are “good” ones and “bad” ones. The good ones breed with respect and intelligence, producing kittens in moderate numbers. Cat shows draw many spectators, and provide a wonderful opportunity to cultivate love and understanding of all cats, and to educate on matters of proper care, humane issues, etc. I will be most happy to endorse and recommend Vegecat at shows, to kitten buyers and whenever possible, if you don’t mind a “breeder” doing so.
ITTY BITTY KITTY WITTY
We were pleased to hear more from Katherine in the following letter:
I am still experiencing success using Vegepet supplements in my cattery, and am enclosing a couple of “testimonial” type photographs. One is of Velure Gelfling, a Chartreux female kitten whom we affectionately nicknamed “Itty Bitty Kitty Witty!” Her mom’s milk ran out when she was but four weeks old (most Chartreux don’t complete the weaning process until eight to ten weeks) and due to her small size, I feared she would not survive. I tried giving her some Vegecat recipe I made and blended into a gruel, and she loved it! She began to grow and prosper, and I was happy to make her the “flower girl” at my wedding!
The second photo is of Velure Eden, being looked over by CFA judge Wain Harding at the Pro/Plan CFA Invitational Cat Show held in Dallas, Texas in November [1991]. Although the show was sponsored by Purina(!), I made sure to bring Eden’s favorite Vegecat recipe (I have found that for traveling, since lack of refrigeration is a problem, I can mix dry ingredients and carry jars of organic baby food — like Earth’s Best — then combine the two at mealtime.) Eden was Best Chartreux Premier in Show. (I might add that I use Purina Rabbit Chow in my litter boxes, a much healthier alternative to conventional clay litter.)
At a recent aftershow part attended by cat breeders, the subject of diet cropped up. When I stated that a large portion of my cats’ rations are homemade, the first words out of another breeder’s mouth were, “That’s bad.” How sad that it is automatically assumed that something we make with our own hands, knowing the source of each ingredient, is automatically inferior to some uniform looking brown pellets that come in a fancy wrapper. How trusting we are, or how easily duped… I do have to admit that I still use some of those brown pellets in my cattery for the sake of convenience, and so that those cats and kits who are eventually adopted into other homes can easily make the transition. That’s okay… the “New Age” is coming…