Jazmine models an Imperial Cat “Easy Chair” scratcher we got back in 2014 that was from their Scratch ‘n Shapes line. It still remains a household favorite with all of the cats.

There is no shortage of cat related paraphernalia in my house – from the practical to the silly to sublime and everything in-between, my cats are living the blessed life of luxury and I don’t take any of it for granted because I know there are millions of cats in the streets and in shelters that may never know a day of such pampered comfort.

Everything serves its own unique purpose and the cats all have different viewpoints on what they like, and don’t like, but all of them agree that the high quality and functional scratching products from Imperial Cat are on the top of their list of meow-worthy favorites. That’s why I was so excited when the folks at Imperial Cat, on behalf of Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Cat Month, approached me with a giveaway opportunity to help local shelter cats that aren’t as lucky as mine, that might need scratching pads to bring them some love and comfort.

Ingeniously created using re-purposed scraps from other Scratch ‘n Shapes products, the Adopt-a-Cat Scratcher Donation Program features three Scratch ‘n Bits package sizes of individually unique scratchers that are ideal for use in shelter cages, cat rooms or foster homes:

15-20 Small Scratch ‘n Bits – $35.00

10-13 Medium Scratch ‘n Bits – $40.00

4-7 Large Scratch ‘n Bits – $40.00

Each package size includes shipping (Continental U.S. only) and I love that not only are these products earth-friendly, but they are affordable too! It’s hard enough as it is for these sweet kitties – can you imagine being stuck in a cage or a in room without something to scratch on? Scratching is instinctive to cats – not only does it help them to alleviate stress, but it also allows them to stretch and tone their muscles. So for $40.00 or less, you can improve the health, happiness, and well-being of a shelter cat! And we want shelter kitties to be as happy and stress free as possible, as it will only make them more social and easier to adopt in the long run.

So please, if you can find it in your heart, pick up a set or two of Scratch ‘n Bits for your favorite shelter – if you can’t, the good news is that you have an opportunity to win a small-sized set for a U.S. shelter or rescue of your choice. Just mention in the comments which shelter you would like to win a set for by Monday, June 22, midnight, EST and after a random drawing, I will announce the winning shelter on Wednesday, June 24.

If you are not familiar with Imperial Cat and their full line of Scratch ‘n Pads, Scratch ‘n Shapes, Cat ‘n Around, Snack ‘n Treat, and Neat ‘n Tidy products, please click here for full details. All the products are clever, environmentally friendly, safe, functional, stylish, fun, sturdy, and made of high quality materials. I love Imperial Cat for all those reasons, but also for sentimental reasons that go above and beyond, because were it not for a chance meeting with them at the Global Pet Expo in March of 2014, our beloved Jazmine would have never been. Via a rescue effort from Florida Little Dog Rescue of Saint Cloud (yes, they help the occasional rescue cat), Jazmine was taking up residency at the Imperial Cat booth, waiting for adoption. The moment Dan and I locked eyes with her, the rest as they say, was history.

This was Jazmine (previously called Empress) at the Imperial Cat booth at Global Pet Expo. She was sitting on a Scratch ‘n Shapes Easy Chair like being at a massive trade show was the most natural thing in the world!! How could we not fall instantly in love with her?

Ever since we brought the Imperial Cat Scratch ‘n Shapes Easy Chair home, it has been a favorite with all the cats. Seen her is Mia sitting like she is waiting for her chauffeur to drive her to a grand gala…

The Scratch ‘n Shapes Easy Chair also came with a removable ottoman – Zee has claimed both items as his own…

I love the creativity the Imperial Cat products provide – seen here, Zee is using the Scratch ‘n Shapes Easy Chair as a fort where he can take cover to protect all his toys he has captured!

Other than a Scratch ‘n Shapes Easy Chair that I was given in 2014 at the Global Pet Expo and the everyday love, joy, and companionship that Jazmine gives me, I was not compensated for this post. I am sharing the Adopt-a-Cat Scratcher Donation Program because I believe all shelter and rescue cats deserve to be happy and healthy.

Rescued – The Stories of 12 Cats Through Their Eyes edited by Janiss Garza is the kind of heartfelt and inspiring book that offers hope and humanity in a world where far too many cats are living in the streets and shelters, without the benefit of a warm, loving, and safe furever home. For those cats that are lucky enough to be rescued, they each have a unique story to share and often the road from rescue to residency is a long and difficult journey filled with trepidation, mistrust, and reservations. Read more

I was given the opportunity to share a guest post about Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond as written in the voice of my dearly departed cat, Mr. Jazz, on the Kitties in the City blog site. Kitties in the City is a beautiful and informative blog that was created by the talented, award-winning author and pet expert, Stacey Ritz, who is also my dear friend and the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 feline welfare organization based in Greene County, OH. Advocates 4 Animals (A4A) is one of my favorite rescues and Stacey gave me the option of having the post go up in late May or early June. Being that June is Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Cat Month and it also marks the one year anniversary month of the unexpected passing of my beloved rescue cat, Harley, (June 24), I knew I had to pick the June date. Read more

It was all new to me in 2011, but now seeing a lady wearing cat ears with a cat wearing a dress in a pink catillac stroller is commonplace (in this case, Teri Thorsteinson with Coco the Couture Cat).

BlogPaws 2015 in Nashville was my 4th conference and upon returning, I have to say the most incredible thing about it is how inherently different each conference has been for me. I attended my first BlogPaws conference in 2011 in Tyson’s Corner, VA and I remember feeling like a tiny, cat ear wearing Alice in Wonderland, looking into a crazy, energetic, surreal event that was larger than life to me. Cats in strollers. Dogs wearing dresses. Ferrets on leashes, rats, pigs, hamsters, and so much more – surely the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, and March Hare would appear at any moment to serve me tea … Read more

By far, my favorite moment of the day is relaxing on the couch with my feline gang. In this incredible shot, all seven of my cats are with me and the feeling of love we have for one another is clearly visible. Please click image to enlarge.

For those of us that love cats, we love them for their endearing and quirky personalities, the companionship they provide us, and for their unconditional love and devotion. All of that alone is worth the price of admission, but did you know cats are actually good for us? With today being Hug Your Cat Day, coupled with the fact June is Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Cat Month, I thought it would be the purr-fect time to share what scientists have actually proven so that we can help promote another pawsome reason why adopting a cat is such a good idea. Yes – hold on to your seats – scientists have declared that snuggling, hugging, and cuddling is good for your health and well-being!

Kizmet likes to put his front paws around me to hug me as I watch TV. The protective love he feels for me is so endearing and it gives me such joy to know how happy and content he is in our home.

We probably didn’t need an actual study to tell us that hugs, snuggling, and cuddling makes us feel better – most of us know that the simple act of a hug from someone we care about can give us a sense of comfort, peace, love, and security. But what about the feeling we get when we hug our cat (or any cat for that matter) or that feeling when our cat hugs us back or snuggles with us? Human hugs are wonderful, but there is just something extra special about hugging or snuggling with a beloved pet cat. That overwhelming wash of inner peace of mind and contentment you feel when your cat is snuggled by your side, or on your lap, purring away, making biscuits into the soft of your belly. I know for me, there is nothing that can center or calm me quicker than that simple and pure act from a cherished cat.

One of the simplest joys I know is having a cat snuggle with me as I read a book. It is a time for me to completely chill out, reflect, and be thankful for all that I have in my life. I am seen here with Rolz on this particular occasion.

Cats seem to intuitively know the power and importance of snuggling and cuddling too – in my multi-cat household, my gang are absolutely drawn to one another when it comes to snuggling and at any given moment of the day at least two or more cats are snuggled together, tucked into cozy little balls of happy, purring fluff. Sometimes the whole gang will be on the bed together – especially when it is afternoon nap time – and at night when I finally sit on the couch to relax, the snuggling and cuddling becomes a collective human-feline bond fest.

Jazmine and Rolz are sharing a nap together – clearly they are the picture of peace and happiness.

Want the actual science? According to a study published in the journal of Psychological Science, here are the top ten reasons why hugging, snuggling, and cuddling is so good for us:

1. Snuggling releases Oxycontin, a powerful hormone that increases in our bodies when we hug a loved one. It acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and plays a huge role in pair bonding.

2. Cuddling boosts our immune system, so something as simple as a loving snuggle with a cat can help increase hormones that help fight infection. In other words – the power of positive thinking – you feel happy and good, so your body is too healthy to get sick!

3. Hugs can relieve pain – think about it – remember as a child when you would scrap your knee? The best medicine was a quick hug from Mom to make you feel better.

4. Cuddling helps deepen your relationship with the person or pet you are snuggling with by heightening feelings of love.

5. Hugging/touching helps with bonding – think of the relationship between a shy or feral cat with a human caretaker – it might take years for the first pet to happen, but when it does, the trust level increases significantly.

6. Snuggling releases social anxiety – unlike years ago, it is now commonplace to see pets in public places to help calm pet guardians with anxiety issues, and many animals, including cats, are certified therapy animals to help people in stressful situations such as traveling.

7. Cuddling reduces stress levels – we live in an incredibly stressful world today and one of the quickest ways to reduce stress levels is by the calming act of petting or snuggling with a cat.

8. Cuddling lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke  – cats are especially calming and can lower our blood pressure just by being around them.

9. Hugs are an instant mood boost and they are completely free! Who doesn’t love someone giving a random hug just to let you know that they care about you?

10. Cuddles can repair our worn out and broken bodies – think about all the animals that are used in nursing homes, hospitals, rehab centers, and hospice to help patients ease in recovery situations or to ease the journey of end of life. If you need further proof of that, please check out the compelling story Dorian Wagner of the blog Your Daily Cute shared of her journey with Joan Price, a woman terminally ill in hospice who was reunited with her cat Isis during her final months of life.

Siblings, Mia and Rolz, who have always lived in the same household are the best of snuggling friends. I find that we have very little cat fighting in our house and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact the cats enjoy cuddling with one another so much.

So on behalf of Hug Your Cat Day and Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Cat Month, thank you science for helping to provide further reasons why adopting a shelter cat  (or two, or three, or more) is such a good idea. When you think about it, it really doesn’t get much better than that – not only will your health and well-being improve by having a cat in your life, but you will also be saving a life. Millions of cats are in shelters at this very moment waiting for a furever home – why not adopt one today so that you too can enrich your life with hugs, snuggling, and cuddling.  Never mind an apple a day to keep the doctor away, it should be hug a cat every day to keep the doctor away! And best of all – if you adopt a shelter cat, not only will you be saving their life, in the long run, with all the health benefits, you will be extending yours as well!