William "The Wonder Cat" Kinkle

08/24/2018

Being Supreme Ruler of the Universe is hard work. Sometimes I just need a nap.

06/24/2018

This is a picture of me right after I returned home from my big adventure. You can see how happy I am to be enjoying the sunshine safely in my house!

We are all thankful my story has a happy ending and I asked Mama if she would help me share some tips to help our friends if they ever find themselves searching for a lost fur baby. This is a long post but we hope you all find some good information and most of all, that you never have to use it!

Tip Number One and the most important of all: HAVE US MICROCHIPPED!!! Most vets and rescue organizations offer this service. It's affordable, quick and painless. If we're lost and someone finds us and takes us to a doctor or shelter, a simple scan will allow the finder to get in touch with our parents. (Don't forget to register your information immediately and be sure and update address and phone number changes!)

Contact all the animal hospitals, rescue organizations and shelters in your area as soon as you realize we're missing. The first call Mama made was to the company that provided my microchip and then she got in touch with all the pet organizations. Everyone was very nice and even gave her some suggestions to help bring me home. (We will share these too!)

Pass out flyers in your neighborhood and ask people to keep an eye out. The man at the microchip company sent one to Mama when she contacted him and then Miss Lisa at B & B Office Products made LOTS of copies. My family made sure everyone had one so they would recognize me. Be sure and take copies to your favorite pet stores as well. Other pet parents will be very helpful!

Post our information on PawBoost and on all local lost and found pages. Mama got lots of support here!

Ask permission to check under porches and inside sheds and garages. Walk the neighborhood regularly and remember that we cats are most active during night time hours. (Mama found me at 4:45 am!) If your pet is likely to respond to the sound of a favorite toy or a can of treats being shaken, take them along.

We cats have a very keen sense of smell and are often drawn to our own scents or those of our family members. Mama put my litter box on the covered front porch of our house and she believes that helped me find my way home. (One word of caution with this strategy: be very careful if you have predators like coyotes in your area. We don't want that kind of "welcoming committee" when we return!)

It may help to place a few pieces of your soiled clothing and sprinkle a little of our used litter around the edges of your property. Suddenly finding ourselves outside is scary and can cause us to become a little disoriented. Familiar smells and objects will help guide us back to our own yards. (Don't forget to leave your own garage door slightly open in case we arrive home while you're at work or asleep!)

Follow up on EVERY tip even if you think it's outside of our immediate area. While most inside cats are found within a few houses, some of us like to explore and may wander farther than you think we will. We also have to deal with the threat of dogs, cars, and loud noises and may travel a long way to escape.

Bear in mind that lost pets will probably be scared and may run, even from family members. Consider placing a live trap where we were last spotted. If you don't have access to one, contact a local rescue or TNR group. They may have one you can borrow.

Most of all: DON'T GIVE UP!!!!! I was missing for two whole weeks and many pets are gone much longer and still make it safely home. My family and friends continued to pass out flyers, share updates, and make daily and nightly trips around the neighborhood even after some would have given up. I sure am glad they did!

06/02/2018

As you probably know, I've just returned from a bit of an adventure. Mama says it was a BIG learning experience and wants me to share it with all of our friends.
Most of you know I'm very shy and always hide when visitors are around. In fact, I usually dive under the nearest bed and quietly stay put until the coast is clear. Well, that changed two weeks ago when the CRASHBANGY man (I think Grammy called him the PLUMBER) came over. As soon as he walked in I ran to Mama's room and straight under the bed to wait it out. But this time, the CRASHBANGY man stayed a long time and I got so scared I did something I've never done. I got out of the house through something Mama called a pipe access and ran away.
My family and our friends were frantic and searched and searched for me. They sent out messages, handed out flyers, called the microchip place, and listed my picture on a whole bunch of Lost Pet pages.
After two weeks, I found my way back home. Three days have passed and I'm almost back to normal except for being a little tired. What I want to share is that even if your fur child has never tried to sneak out without you, stress can cause us to make some pretty bad decisions. I wasn't trying to leave my home, I just wanted to get away from all the noise and the stranger in my house. If you have to have a CRASHBANGY man come to your house, please make sure your baby is in a secure room or at the pet sitter's house. Just because we've never expressed an interest in leaving, please don't assume we won't if the trauma is great enough.
I am very, very glad to be back home and want to say thank you to all of our friends who helped look for me and took care of my grammy and my poor old neurotic mother while I was gone. (Mama is still a basket case when she thinks about what could have happened to me.)
PS The first thing I did when I got home was go look (twice) in the room where the CRASHBANGY man was to make sure my nice peaceful home was back to normal!

12/25/2017

Merry Christmas to all my fans! Mama says carrots are very healthy. Grammy doesn't care much for them but if they made her this happy I bet she would like them better.

12/02/2017

This is my Buddha pose. Mama says I'm too lazy to sit up straight. I say I'm tired.

09/04/2017

We know all of our family and friends are keeping those hit by Harvey in their thoughts and prayers. I also want to remind everyone not to forget us in the event of an emergency or disaster. Now is the time to make a list of pet friendly shelters and hotels in case you have to leave your home. Please keep our shot and vet records with the other important papers and make sure your supply kit includes extra food, fresh water and medicine for us. (I told Mama to pack my favorite toy banana too :)! Above all else, stay safe!

07/31/2017

Today we had a birthday party for Mama and me. Our birthday is July 31 and I will be 2. Mama won't tell me how old she is :). I got presents and we had a delicious lunch. The humans had chocolate cake and ice cream but that isn't good for kitties so I got some extra treats instead!

07/19/2017

Three weeks ago Mama came home from church and she noticed I was acting a little odd. I wasn't playing and I kept climbing in and out of my litter box more than usual. I didn't have an upset tummy or anything but she decided I needed to get checked out. The nice people at Animed Veterinary Hospital in Hubert told her to come right in (our regular vet is closed on Sunday) so off we went. They had to keep me for tests and it turns out I had a UTI. The doctor said Mama did the right thing because we caught it early and it could have been much worse. I had to take yucky medicine but I'm doing fine now and was given a clean bill of health when we went back.
Like human babies, we can't tell you when we feel bad and we rely on you to keep us well. Please don't ever feel that it's a waste of time taking us if you suspect a problem. Your vet would rather tell you it's nothing than to wait until it's life threatening. Mama always says "better safe than sorry"!

07/04/2017

Happy 4th to all of my friends and family! Fireworks are fun for humans but can be very stressful for us. If your fur child has anxiety issues, please don't leave him or her alone outside or in the car while you enjoy the festivities. Panic can lead to serious health emergencies. Stay safe, everyone!

06/03/2017

A few pictures of my favorite subject-ME!

05/20/2017

Some of you know my grandma recently spent several weeks in the hospital and rehab center. She is feeling much, much better and wanted me to share this article with you. While she was sick, she was visited by two of my canine cousins named Darla and Sophie. (Like most cats, I don't like the car much and wasn't able to visit her so I sure am glad they stopped by to see her!)
Grammy tells me they played a big part in her recovery and we are very grateful for all of the human and doggy volunteers who take the time to visit our local health care centers. You really do make a difference!

CarolinaEast dogs comfort hospital patients -- and visitors ... and staff -- OK, just about everybody