vick, obama, and the phonecall

we've been talking about it.  you've been talking about it.

vick.  possible mvp.  the call from obama.  redemption via football?  what about those dogs?

this post from the best friends blog sums it up better than we can.

best cats of 2010 - and maru!

it's year-end countdown time.  every publication has their "top whatevers" but what really matters as 2010 draws to a close are the cats that got us through the ups and downs of the last 12 months.  so here's a fun list of the 30 31 best cats of 2010.

we have to add maru in because this japanese cutie has taken over youtube with videos of boxes, and more boxes, and sliding into boxes, and peeking out of boxes, etc.  maru is the real king of 2010.  and of our hearts.   (just look at that face!)

new year's hours

we've adjusted our hours in anticipation of some wild times on friday night - closing early for the parties and opening late for the too-much-party-headaches.

• all stores will be open from 9:00am-5:00pm on friday, the 31st 

• all stores will be open from 12:00pm-7:00pm on saturday, the 1st. 

hope this gives you all a good opportunity to head out and get your supplies before kickoff.  

merry christmas, madcatters!

from everyone here (even nikki) we wish you all a very merry holiday.  

be well, drive safe and have fun.  

'twas the night before cat-mas

'twas the night before Cat-mas and all through MY house,
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse... (i ate it).

my kitty stocking was hung by the cat door with care,
in hopes that Santa Claws soon would be there.

the humans were nestled all snug in their beds,
while we cats in the darkness danced on their heads.

click here to read the rest!

last-minute gift ideas for the furrkids

forgot about the pets?  have a relative's dog coming to town?  couldn't find anything to give someone who has everything?

how about an automatic laser toy?  or a super-long-lasting elk antler chew?  or a crazy yak's milk himalayan chew?  these gifts are not only cool, they're also pretty different than the standard tie or gift card (but, we've got those too, if gift cards are your thing.)

remember, when all else fails a catnip banana is a sure-fire win for the discerning kitteh in any family.

animals of youtube sing "deck the halls"

this must have taken a lot of time to make, but with way over 4 million hits already I bet it was worth it. enjoy!

we want yer howl-iday pics!

 

got a festive pet photo? send em our way by posting them on our facebook fansite.  we're looking to feature the best of the best on the bliggity blog this week. extra credit: get creative and cook up a lol-worthy caption.

if you're already a fan, here's a tutorial. and if you're not on facebook, you can email to submit your pic.

check out our ho ho holidays album for inspiration!

christmas christmas time is near

it's the final countdown!  only 4 shopping-wrapping-baking-decorating days left.  are you ready?

if you're a last minute-person don't fret - we will be open until 4:00pm on christmas eve for all of your pet-related needs (or if  you need a break from the fam).

we will be closed on christmas day because even santa's elves need a day off every now and then.

hope you all have a great week!

istyle for ikittehs

this just in at madcat... istyle shirts for all apple addicts on yer xmas list.

they're technically for idogs, but oscar madcat rocks one. doesn't he look just like steve jobs?

swing by and check em out!

wrap it up

with less than a week til santa day 2010 christmas shopping is going on in full-force (we've still got plenty-o-trees!).  also going on are the countlesss of attempts at wrapping even one gift before kitteh takes over and ruins everything.

why are they so obsessed with wrapping paper?  is it the paper?  is it the tape?  or is it just their intolerance of us paying attention to anything other than them?

maybe they just want to be wrapped up like a gift?  this kitty certainly did.  watch the video after the jump!

cat fud: u haz a flavor

just came across this CRAZY article about the process that some canned cat food goes through for tasting - by humans. jigga wha?


panelists rate samples of cat food based on flavors, textures, and the intensity of the flavor.


sure, some cat foods use human grade ingredients, but i've never been tempted to crack open a can on my lunch break.


so what do you think about the taste testers? would you?

simon's cat - "santa claws"

so true.  so, so true.  time to get some pet block.

cozy up in a trundle bed

cool,-new-product alert!  trundle beds are back in stock at madcat west!

these 3-way beds are made from soft faux-fur and can convert into different styles:  cup bed, sleeping bag, and mat.  as you can see, nikki is a huge fan.

if only they made them hooman-sized....

hey, we're OPEN!

that's right, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can get in the way of your intrepid madcatters.

we're here and ready to help.  so come on in and give us something to do!

bonus points are awarded to anyone who comes in wearing real snow shoes.

look up on monday night

hold onto your bukkits cuz the earth is about to pass through some asteroid  leftovers.  the geminid meteor shower should peak monday night from 11pm to sunrise with one or two meteors visible per minute. 

and these meteors aren't your perseids.  the geminids travel slower and leave a burn trail across the sky (double rainbow all the way!).

snow fun!

hang on to yer snowpants, a storm's a comin! the snow season has hit madtown in a big way (umm... five inches on saturday - exsqueeze me,  a baking powder?). so drive safe, git out there and have fun!

new simon's cat - "cat chat"

dump him, marry the dog

yup.  that's what an australian man just did - married his dog.  (only nobody got dumped).

the non-binding civil ceremony united joseph guiso with his 5-year old adopted lab, honey.  "you're my best friend and you make every part of my day better," he said in his vows. how sweet?

if you know someone who'd be better off marrying their dog or cat we've got the books.  they get your message across and look cute.

teach me how to bucky

the badgers are headed to the rose bowl!  and since badgers are kind of like tougher, scarier cats we may as well celebrate.  and if you like to see skim-boarding dogs trying out for the rose parade click here.  they're quite impressive.

get on your boots

the snow, the salt, the slush - it's here.  time to get on your boots.

blitz stopped into the monroe st. store today to grab some pawz booties.  they look like deflated balloons but do a great job of keeping the ice and salt from burning those sensitive pads.  the bonus is that even though they seem a little goofy-looking most dogs will actually wear them.

thanks for modeling them so well, blitz.  purple is definitely your color.

madcat mystery!

something went bump in the night at madcat west - literally. check out the before shot. at left, detective lucy noms "investigates" the evidence.

hey super sleuths - think you know whodunnit? hit the jump to find out if you're right!

mail-order bride delivered to vilas zoo

canadian-born red panda, Sha-Lei, has arrived happy and healthy and is ready to start her new life at the vilas zoo with mate Chang Tan.  the hope is that the two will hit it off and save the species one-to-four babies at a time.

congratulations, you too.  hope it's all honeymoon from here on out.

"the lost dogs" hits shelves

with michael vick on his way back to glory, and some people advocating that we just get over it already, the 47 surviving dogs from bad newz kennels are not so quick to forgive or forget.

but if there is one shining ray of hope in this story, it's that those 47 dogs, originally deemed "beyond rehabilitation" by peta and the hsus, have gone on to become "cherished pets, therapy dogs, and adored members of their communities," as jim gorant writes in his new book, the lost dogs.

the book has just hit the shelves at madcat, and it details the rescue, reclamation, and redemption of these amazing dogs who were given a second chance.

celebrate shelter pet's day!

most of us are proud guardians of a shelter pet or two (or three, or four).  today the shelter pet project is promoting adoption by smashing the negative stereotypes associated with adopting from shelters, that our pets are every bit as lovable as any other.

if you have facebook go to the shelter pet project's page and upload your pet's photo and adoption story to their wall.  spread the word that love can be found anywhere, even behind cage bars.  (and that kind of love can be the best kind of all.)

geese again - this time it's vilas

the great goose-debate of 2010 - it's not over yet.  and now another park's feathered inhabitants may be on the chopping block as well.

bill lueders reports that there is growing discussion by the vilas park waterfowl advisory group of using lethal methods to control the park's goose population.

once again, the powers that be say they "want everyones' opinion" on the matter.  apparently we didn't hear us last may.  how's this?  HONK!  don't kill 'em!

mission impossible kittehs

bet we could get lucy to climb a wall, too....if there were donuts involved.

charges dropped against accused miami cat killer

tyler weinman was charged with the brutal killing of 19 cats in miami last year.

on thursday it was confirmed that the miami-dade police department have dropped their case due to a lack of scientific evidence.  they felt the circumstantial evidence was not strong enough to go to trial.

too bad for him the court of public opinion has already spoken.  

dogs smarter than cats?

a new study is saying that dogs are smarter than cats. really?

madcat managed to obtain a photo of the researcher who collected the data. i think we might need a second opinion on this one.

gud thing the jury's still out on science.

happee thanksgivingz!

be thankful.  be safe.  be nice to crazy uncle karl.  eat lots.  and invite kitty to give thanks with you - they're family, too.

pattycake kittehs!

if only our crew would play so nice...

kitty pilgrims!

because history is awesome and we can't help but love cute kittehs dressed-up here's a bunch of cats who would rather not be reenacting the first thanksgiving for our entertainment. 

but too bad.  we're the ones with the precious turkey giblets.  so there.

turkey day hours - we be closed

in observance of national eat-till-you-drop-day we will be closed this thursday, november 25th.

but don't worry, there's still plenty of time to pick up some thanksgiving day dinner for all the fuzzy ones in your life.  of all the things to be thankful for, nom is the best of all.

happy turkey day, folks.

kitteh snuggle pile

have a case of the mondays?  this outta cure it.

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree....

how luvly iz yer branchez. (cuz i eated dem.)

the decorations are already going up and the trees are falling down.  before you grab a balsam fir or a utah pine we think you should consider another option, that of the feline fir variety.... a cat tree.

we've all seen what happens when a cat meets clark griswold's christmas tree.  it ain't pretty.

save x-mas.  get a cat tree.

new dog parks!

two new dog parks will open tomorrow on madison's east side - at demetral park and mccormick greenspace.

check em out! there's still plenty of time to get in some frisbee before the snow flies.

cat-man-doo bonito flakes swim into madcat

have a fish-fiend at home?  we do.  nikki madcat can't get enough of the stuff.
her new favorite is the big tub of cat-man-doo dried bonito flakes.  we take the top off and she dives right in. 

the flakes are extra-large, semi-moist and are full of nutritionally good stuff (taurine, omega-3s). though they kind of look like pencil shavings we hear they are much tastier than wood and lead. 

weapon of choice

oscar madcat sure loves that turbo scratcher:

afghanistan war hero dies in arizona shelter

a dog who survived wartorn afghanistan and a suicide bombing lasted only one weekend in a US shelter.

target saved the lives of countless soldiers when she stopped a suicide bomber from detonating himself within an army barracks.  she was hailed as a hero and brought home to america by sergeant terry young.

she was "mistakenly" killed at an arizona shelter on monday before her owner could claim her. 

this story is a tragic and heartbreaking example of why we need no kill.  now.

holy happycat!

good news, madcatters....

 the happy cat club adopted out 9 cats over the weekend!  that's 36 paws-a-leaping, 18 ears-a-twitching and 9 purrs-a-purring.

want to help keep their adoption streak going?  check out adoptable kitties here or come to madcat west next sunday to meet them in person.  want to be a fan?  support happy cat on facebook.

monster tree invades madcat west

we tend to be known for crazy trees. but this one takes the cake.

standing 8 foot, 6 inches tall, this handcrafted eight level cat tree by cat tree kingdom has all the favorite features of cat trees - scoops, flat levels, a tunnel and a bed, plus plenty of sisal and natural wood for scratching. definitely not for the faint of heart.

hit the jump for some pics of lucy madcat checkin it out!

thinkers jerky is here!

introducing plato's thinkers at madcat. it's like a real thick slim jim for your dog, but the ingredients are high quality, whole meats.


we've got 'em in chicken and duck flavors.

and why the name "thinkers"? they contain natural DHA and ginkgo biloba to help nourish brain function in your dog. i think plato would approve.

adopt a cat! reduced fees at DCHS all weekend

have mice?  want to be the next youtube sensation but lacking inspiration?  need a lap warmer for the cold months ahead?

adopt.  this  weekend the dane county humane society is reducing fees on all cats:  kittens are going for $20, adults for only $5.

take a chance on one.  it could be the best five bucks you ever spent.

the science of cat drinking - likely to blow minds

more evidence that cats are either totally insane or absolute geniuses:

"watching in slow motion reveals that cats of all sizes, from tabbies to tigers, have a very elaborate way of drinking. first, they move the tip of their tongue onto the surface of the water to flick the water up so that a little jet of liquid flies into the air. then, in a flash, they catch the jet in their mouth." 

of course.  why lap it up the normal way when you can be a water ninja?   it makes sense.  cats love to do things in their own way.  just like this guy.

gimme!

madcat cooper's got a case of the gimmes:

fo sho going to be the next david after dentist. is this real life?

a baby liger! can we keep him?!

if you're not familiar with them, ligers are pretty much the most awesome animal in the universe.  they are even cooler than narwhals. 

a safari refuge in south carolina is now home to two ligers, 4-week old aries and his big brother hercules. they will now rule over america with their iron claws.

bow down before them.  or you will be turned into a tigon.

threatdown: dogs!

remember the cougar sightings over the summer and the fear they were causing the local cattle-owners?  well now the family sedan shares their pain.

only it wasn't a big cat that mauled the mazda.  it was two dogs.

apparently they were trying to get at a kitty who had crawled up inside the engine.  the poor cat made it out ok but the car was quite shaken.

beastie bands are here!

so excited... these collars come in a ton of different designs. they're also super lightweight and comfortable for kittehs who aren't used to wearing a collar.

oscar madcat just had to have the skull and crossbones design.

stop by and check em out!

incredible embryonic animal pics

who cares how it's done (3-dimensional ultrasound scans, tiny cameras, computer rendering).  it's amazing!

check out the claws on that kitten.  kind of makes you appreciate kitty-mamas a whole lot more, huh?  yikes!

auto-tone D.O.G.G.Y

remember last year's auto-tuned kitteh mashup vid?  now there's a dog one.  he's not snoop d-oh-double-g but he could easily outsell t-pain. 

introducing ascenta feline omega 3

 madcat just got in a new salmon-free fish oil supplement - a great alternative for those who want all the benefits of omega 3s but without the salmon.

feline omega 3 is pure sardine, anchovy, and mackeral oil preserved with vitamin E (an antioxidant) and rosemary extract (an antioxidant known for its rejuvenating properties).

we recommend fish oil supplements frequently at madcat for a variety of skin and fur problems. but just like in humans, it's also great for heart health, an immune system booster, and joint functions.

missouri passes prop B!

and it wasn't easy.  with only a slim margin the anti-puppy mill bill passed against big time support that included the missouri veterinary medical assoc. and some vocal tea partiers.

there are still questions of how "responsible" breeders will lower their number of breedable animals down to only 50 (!) without any going to shelters but we doubt they'll have to worry about that for long.  the state has already proved that they care with their vote.  adopt and rehome.  it's the way to do it.

the word of the day is

vote.

find your polling place here.

penn. airport cats avoid death sentence

see, madison parks/USDA/anti-goose people?  when a group of animals becomes a nuisance on your property you don't always have to kill it.

some cats have taken up residence on the grounds of an airport that wants to avoid any plane-cat mishaps. rather than buying the farm the cats will be trapped, spayed/neutered and relocated to a real farm to live out their days.  all on the airport's dime.

now that's how you solve a problem and strengthen public relations.

happy hallow-eeeeeeek!

 beware the zombie cats......

warning signs of infection include insatiable appetite for brains treats, extreme laziness and an increased interest in playing with small, everyday objects like clothes pins, paper clips and milk jug caps.  more pictures of zombie cats will terrify you after the jump.

if you make it out alive, have a happy halloween and eat lots of candy.  mwahahahahaaaaa.....

in honor of halloween weekend....

we present to you this video of big cats playing with big pumpkins. they really are just big kitties, aren't they? wonder what they'd do with a few catnip pumpkins....

it's national cat day!

as if we needed an official day to remind us of how crazy awesome cats are.  let's celebrate, anyway!  hugs and kisses to all our feline pals.

we've got adoption fairs all weekend with friends of ferals on satuarday from noon to three-thirty and the happy cat club on sunday from one to four.  stop by and say hi. or fall in love and go home with a new friend.  they'll be here waiting.

and now for some words of wisdom from a guy who knows what he's talking about:

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain

alley cat allies defends T-N-R from PETA's hype-machine

wow.  PETA shows us just how much they suck....again.  this time it's their damnation of t-n-r which they liken to being  "abandoned and forced to endure the harsh conditions of homelessness."  they'd rather just kill them.

luckily we have the alley cat allies out there helping these very cats and keeping them out of PETA's deadly clutches. 

"They thrive in every landscape, from densely populated cities to rural farmland. Feral cats are a part of our community. They always have been, and they always will be."

diy treat hunt!

so yesterday we told you about the kit-e-quiz, a neat contraption in which you hide treats and your cat solves puzzles to get them.

today I thought I'd share another treat-related puzzle activity you can do on your own with nothing but a hungry cat and a bag of his favorite treats.

in our house it's called "treat hunt"  we sequester the three cats in one room while one of us places treats throughout another room, usually the living room.  we hide them everywhere; on the back of the couch, in the entertainment unit, on the coffee table, on a window sill, etc. anywhere the cats are allowed to go.  then we release "the hounds" and encourage them to "find it," just like the experts do with their bomb dogs.

what follows is great mental and nasal exercising, searching high and low for the coveted treats.  your cats may not get it at first, but a little help from you is all it takes to point them in the right direction.  once they get the first couple of treats they'll be set and you'll have an easy activity to keep them busy for at least a few minutes.

have fun! 

for the einstein kittehs: kit-e-quiz

do your cats know which cupboard the treats are in?  do they stay up all night devising ways of breaking into said cupboard?

the new kit-e-quiz is designed for food-motivated kittehs who are willing to solve a few puzzles to get to their precious.  the cat fancy editors even picked it as one of their favorite new products calling it a "great toy for cats who get bored easily".

we just hope it keeps them out of the cupboards.

why does the web love cats?

do we even need to ask? well apparently, abc news felt the need to launch an investigative report on the matter, labeling it as "one of the most pressing quandries of our time."

fave quote from the creator of catpaint: "cats are awesome and enigmatic. they even have a hint of the danger about them. i read somewhere that scientists say cats 'domesticated themselves.' like, we domesticated dogs, and we made them into what we thought we wanted, but cats made themselves into what we actually wanted."

the article concludes: ""there's certainly some comedy to be drawn from the fact that we have an amazing, potentially world-changing resource available to us in the form of the internet, and so much time is spent on it giggling at ninja cat clips."

we couldn't think of a better way to spend it.