from our family to yours

merry christmas, happy chanukah, and a fabulous new year.

holiday hours
Christmas Eve - 9:00-4:00 (3:00 at Monroe)
Chrismas Day - Closed

New Year's Eve - 9:00-5:00
New Year's Day - 12:00-6:00

give the gift that keeps on giving

need a last-minute gift?  have friends with pets?  give a gift certificate!

they are available in any dollar amount and are purrfect for the hard-to-buy-for person in your life, whether they have cats, dogs or just a healthy penchant for biscuits.

pounce

new from the cat-tech masters at frolicat is the pounce - a hide-and-seek mouse toy designed to stimulate your cat's predatory instincts. the mouse moves and twitches sporadically, mimicing the dart-and-hide motion of actual prey.

mulan at monroe street is already a huge fan.

spread the love

either morty is trying to donate himself or he's finding some way to stop christmas from coming... either way, all madcat locations are still collecting donations for local rescues.

all unopened bags of food and litter (10 lbs or less) will go to community action coalition to help low-income families keep their pets.

all opened and used items will be distributed to the local rescue community.

give on.

oooh pretty lights!

new fountains have hit the stores and promise to light up your lives.

with LED illumination and UV light-filtration these waterers don't just look good they also sterilize and provide kitty with a continuous stream of fresh-tasting water.

give your cat some 'nip and watch as they stare at the bubbles like a college kid with a lava lamp.

freezin' frisbee fun

it might be nice out now, madtown, but prepare ye as the deep freeze is a-comin. if you've got a dog who never stops discing (even in sub-zero temps), then we got the frisbee for you.

the frostbite is the bear grylls of frisbees - super tough, weather resistant and shatter proof even in super cold temperatures. but it's still soft and more flexible than yer traditional hard plastic frisbees. maddog scout approved!

in stock at all madcat locations... we've also got the glow-in-the-dark jawz and the deja flew (made of post-consumer recycled jawz disc materials) frisbees.

hover cat refuses your law of gravity

perfect for small spaces, these new cat crib hammocks are ideal for lazy afternoon naps and provide a comfy hidey-hole for nervous kitties.

the four corner straps attach to the legs of any end-table or chair and can easily hold up a twenty-pounder (with cheez).  no assembly required means instant gratification for you and kitteh.

available in black, khaki and purple and in stock at all locations.

donations wanted - give a little, help a lot

we are putting out the call for any and all donations of food, litter, toys, treats, beds, cleaning products, blankets, towels - of any kind, new or used, dog, cat or small animal.  clean out your closets and help animals at the same time.

donation bins are available at all locations throughout the holiday season and we're always happy to help with any large items.

our local rescue community relies on donations to stretch their tight budgets. monetary donations may also be given to individual rescue groups via their websites or to maddie's fund, the key sponsor of no kill initiatives in our community and across the country.

thank you

happy thanksgiving

hooray for eatin' day!

we'll be closed all day thursday to give everyone a chance to hang with family and friends.

if you need to pick up some turkey-dinner-saving chew toys or frozen bones for the pup or some cans of thanksgiving day dinner for the cat make sure to stop by ahead of time.

thanks, madtown.  have a good one!

corrugated cardboard kingdom

this ain't yer mama's cardboard scratcher - although our mama lucy is already a huge fan.

kittypods are the next generation of scratchers - made of super durable, high quality corrugated cardboard crafted into architectural pieces of art. they preserve yer furniture and they're pleasing to the eye - what's not to love?

your cat will be snoozin + scratchin in style - just ask lucy and dottie.

kissin' the frog prince, stayin' hydrated

thirsty kitty?  sink-obsessed?  toilet-drinkin' tabby?  sounds like you need a water fountain.

these bad boys just arrived in three varieties, frog, fish, and, perfect for the true wisconsinite, moo-cow.  cats need water.  you need a laugh.  bingo.

ribbit.

the sunny seat - best thing to happen to windows since the invention of glass

no room for a cat tree but have a vertically-inclined kitty?  try the sunny seat.

unlike a traditional window perch that attaches to the sill the sunny seat uses super-duper suction cups to attach right to the window pane.  worried about your "midwestern" cat?  this thing holds 50lbs. of feline. we tested it.

it's easy to assemble, easy to install, easy on the ol' pocketbook and cats dig it.


hit the jump for pics of the sunny seat in use.  lucy's already a fan.

git out and vote!

it's time again to celebrate a freedom and privilege we all take for granted - the right as americans not to be assaulted by political ads for another four years!!! happy dance!

but seriously dudes, git out and vote tomorrow. click here for all you need to know about yer candidates and local polling places.

pics for treats - lickety stik - win the lollipop for pets

the lickety stik is a low-cal, liquid treat, made right here in the good ol' US of A.  available in fun flavors like bacon, cheese, and tuna, just pop off the cap and let your pet lick the roller-ball, mess-free!

good for training, the screw-on cap means your hands and pockets stay clean.

want to WIN one of each flavor?  pick up a bottle at your nearest madcat and post a pic of your pet enjoying it on our facebook page.  we'll draw a cat and dog winner at random on election night.  so get snapping!

Storm kitten goes home - an adoption tail

good news!  the little kitten who came in from the rain is finally getting her happy ending.  storm was spayed by our pals at friends of ferals and went home to her new family that same day to recuperate in comfort.

why did her story take so long to come to its happy ending?  ringworm - a fungal infection usually brought on by damp conditions (storm=rain) that causes little hair-less lesions on the skin.  treatment is easy but no-fun and can take up to two months.  since ringworm is very contagious it is unfortunately common to see it in rescue situations like this.  (dchs has a whole program devoted to fighting it.)

but alas, all is well now and the little girl will be living the good life with her stella and chewy's freeze-dried food, a happy home, and no rain in sight.

to help other cats and kittens in need please consider donating time, money, or food to a local rescue.  donations given locally stay in the community and help further dane county's goal of achieving no kill.

oct. 16 - national feral cat day!

national feral cat day was started by feral outreach group alleycat allies over a decade ago with the goals of making feral cat management part of the community discussion and to reduce kill rates at the shelters in which they often end up.

changing public opinion on wild cats is important - these aren't bad cats, they are not homeless, they just happen to live outside, and, for the most part, do okay on their own.  human caregivers coordinate through local groups, like dane county friends of ferals, to provide food, health care and spay/neuter services to these kitties who would otherwise breed till the cows came home.

a no kill community has to have a plan for its feral cats that doesn't include a one-way ticket to animal control.  this is where T-N-R comes in.  catch 'em, snip 'em, release 'em.  humane management of wild colonies is key to the no kill equation.

want to help?  get involved or donate!  volunteer opportunities include everything from community outreach (lobby for cats!), transportation to/from shelters, foster care, and even feeding.  madcat accepts any and all donations:  food, towels, blankets, $$.

know of a feral cat in need of a snippin'?  friends of ferals is holding a spayathon this saturday, oct. 20th.

put on your party pants! - willy st. fair this weekend

you ready for crazy parades, good dancing and hot deals?  willy street fair is this weekend, september 15/16 - party on the eastside!
 
make sure to hit up MadCat for 15% of all toys, treats, beds, and cat tree.
 
along with a full schedule of entertainment you can dance to live music at the madcat stage on saturday night and get up early for the city's best parade at 11:00am on sunday. 

and because we love ya we are extending our 15% off cat tree sale to all three locations.  kitty needs that 7-foot tall tree.  needs.

stand-up for cats - this saturday, the 15th

madison's cat care clinic is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a benefit at the high noon saloon for our pals at DCHS.

the event will feature family-friendly stand-up acts and a raffle with all proceeds going to benefit the cats of dane county.

it's a busy weekend but stop by and have a laugh.

(p.s. i hear that wearing cat sweaters is encouraged)

monroe street festival - saturday, september 8 - deals deals deals

celebrate a football-less saturday with us down at the monroe street fest with sidewalk sales and activities running the length of monroe.

our own area will see live music, a bouncy castle and a big ol' fire engine, not to forget our own miss dottie, herself.

here at madcat you can take advantage some freebies and a honkin' 15% off all toys, treats, beds, cat trees, brushes, and even poop bags (and you always need poop bags, amirite?)

see you there!

catapalooza aug. 17/18 - cuz you can never have enough cats

there's no jack white and the only red hot chili peppers will be belted out at the karaoke after-party by your tipsy friend, but, boy-oh-boy will their be cats!  (and no great wall o' potty)

DCHS's Catapalooza is a weekend of fun and reduced-fee adoptions.  if you're into face-painting, pizza, and cats (who isn't?) you'll dig it.

and since they'll be adopting out cats faster than gabby can steal sandwiches there will be no adoption fair at MadCat west on saturday.
correction: a foster has volunteered to bring some kittens by, so stop by madcat west from 12-3 for some free kitten snuggles!

tackling the problem of eating too fast

attention scarf and barfers - you're on notice. new at madcat is the durapet slow bowl, designed specifically to slow down your pet's eating.

wet or dry food is arranged around the hill in the middle, forcing your pet to eat in a circle. the stainless steel bowl features a non-skid bottom and is great for cats and dogs.

still not convinced? check out one madcatter's video review.

made in america

want to support team usa?  buy usa-made.

we've got everything from balls to beds to toys to trees, not to mention a bevy of foods and treats that are made right here in the good ol' u.s. of a. 

if you're feeling international and want to support our neighbor to the north canada is putting out some high quality stuff, too.

gold medals aren't made in china.

storm kitten update: stella loves storm

week three of operation storm is off to a super start thanks to the cool peeps over at milwaukee-based stella and chewys.  the little porker has been munching on their new freeze-dried, raw cat food and loving it.

now, stella and chewy's have offered to hook storm up with enough of the freeze-dried goodness to keep her fed through her first birthday.  what a long way she's come from being that hungry kitten in a ditch.  soon she'll have her new forever home and the happy ending she deserves.

the food comes in larger 12oz bags or .8oz single pouches in a myriad of flavors like 'tummy tickling turkey' and 'heavenly herring and tuna.'  rehydrate a small pouch with water and you've got the equivalent of a 3oz. can of food.  good quality, good eats.  'nuff said.

thanks stella and chewy's!

introducing new toys by from the field

you know what's even cooler than working in a cat store? (btw we're hiring) when a cat toy company takes your idea and runs with it, creating a custom toy just for you and naming it after your cat.

madcatter meagan and her happycat oscar contacted from the field, purveyor of fine organic catnip goods and toys made out of all-natural materials. see, oscar loves their freddy feather wand but really only wanted to play with the cork-n-feather part of it. a few emails later and the oscar de la bird toy was born! made out of a super durable cork, oscar the cat sure had fun testing the prototype. don't worry. those feathers ain't coming out.

also new from FTF is the sammy's saturn, a durable cork on a hemp ring marinated in an herbal blend of catnip and valerian root. oscar also gave this one two non-opposable thumbs up. make sure you stop by and check them out!

new arrival - dave's big cat cans

if  you're feeding multiple cats on a budget we've got a new option for you from our friends at dave's pet food.  hitting the shelves are three, grain-free, 13oz cans of wet food:  chicken, turkey and the cat's meow.  all three are tested and approved by our own in-store panel of experts.

the hot heat and drying a/c can be tough on kitty.  give him some healthy hydration by adding wet food to your daily feeding routine.  it's like watermelon for people.

july 4th - special hours

despite the heat of a thousand suns we'll be taking off early on wednesday, july 4th for good times and bbqs.

need something?  you can catch us between 10:00am and 2:00pm but after that you'll just have to grill up an extra burger for kitty.

take care and stay safe, madtown.

County Parks: Armed and Dangerous

as long as we're all packing heat these days, why not throw some deadly animal-traps in our Dane County Parks and see what happens?

the County Board's finance committee will meet today at 5:30pm to vote on that very issue.  if they want $160,000 in DNR land-grant money, we get traps in our parks.  could something horrible happen?  some say it already has.  Anne Emerson, Alliance for Animals and other activists will be on hand to speak on behalf of animals, kids, and families.  not sure yet on the trappers.

short timeline for those catching up...

so pretty, so loud - fireworks and dogs

beer? check. brats? check. illegal perfectly legal fireworks? check. you're prepared to bring in america's b-day with a bang, but what about your pooch?

stop by madcat for your fireworks prep kit -  an arsenal of proven anxiety-reducing therapies including rescue remedy, calming treats, distracting busy toys and, most effective, thundershirts. 

short of giving them earplugs or moving into an underground bunker these are your best bets.  now, have fun and don't blow your arms off.

dog days of summer - saturday, june 23

take your pooch out to party this saturday at the essen haus' dog days of summer.  the fundraiser for DCHS features live music, games (all sorts) and the first 100 dogs will get a free goodie bag!

the fun starts at 1:00 and goes till 6:00 (or until you can't polka no more).

now cheer up, butler, the heatwave's over!

voting now open for madison's favorites!

getting sick of voting yet? how 'bout casting yer ballot in a poll we can all feel good about - the isthmus' annual madison's favorites poll. no lines, no outrageous out-of-state spending, just good, clean fun.

votes must be received by midnight on saturday, june 24 and are published in the free annual manual, out in august.

git to it!

frozen treats 20% off all this weekend

all frozen goodies, like, raw bones, chicken necks and yogurt cups are 20% off today through sunday the 10th.  stop by and grab something on your way to the beach.  fido will thank you.

 friends don't let friends have hot dogs.

vote vote vote vote vote vote cat vote

today's the day:  total recall 2012 is under way and madison is hopping with electoral fever.

whomever you stand with let your voice be heard and make our founding padres proud.  union cab is offering free rides to polling places and "i voted" stickers are in abundance so get out there!

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. - John Quincy Adams

memorial day hours

we will be closing early on Memorial Day, monday may 28th, at 3:00pm in observance of the time-honored traditions of family picnics, barbecues and remembrance.

have a great weekend, everybody.  summer has officially begun.

all points bulletin: orange cat wanted

public health officials are looking for a cat on the lamb.

sounds like a catnip deal gone bad:

"It was the kind of situation I liked to avoid, or terminate quickly. As the century wore on - I could feel it wearing on - angry pointless encounters like this one tended more and more to erupt in violence."

special announcement - closing early may 11th

ladies and gentlemen, we are happy to announce that we will be closing all locations at 5:00pm this friday, May 11th as we celebrate a very joyous occasion.

business will resume as normal saturday morning at 9:00am.

peace and blessings to all madcatkind.

get yer maracas, it's cinco de meow!

ole ole! ole ole! it's almost  Cinco de Meow!

from friday, may 5th through sunday may 6th all cats 6 months and older are only $5.00.  that's a five dollar footlong you can really bite into.

and if you're looking to get some comida de mexicana on cinco de mayo head on over to Buracha's in middleton.  they're slinging burritos and fundraising at the same time.

saludable!

happy birthday morty and nikki!

morty and nikki turn ten years old today! they're celebrating with naps, snuggles and snacks, a departure from their usual routine of naps, snuggles and snacks.

stop by and say hello!

join the future, get microchipped

to celebrate national pet I.D. week the dane county humane society is offering reduced-fee microchipping all week, april 15-21,  at it's main shelter on voges road.  for $15 you can have your dog or cat 'chipped and have a little more peace of mind.  walk-ins are welcome.

we did this with store-cat dot a few years back and it was painless, easy and quick.  not a bad deal.

for the boomers - thundershirts

now in stores....thunder, thunder, thundershirts - for when the loud noises, like thunderstorms and fireworks, become too much.

the snug-fitting vests come in small, medium and large and are in stock at all locations.

just in time for spring - new kitty harness

walking cats, it's the reason for the season.  who loves the return of birds, bugs and grass more than our feline friends?  they go nuts for this stuff.

as seen in the new york times and on animal planet's "my cat from the hell," the kitty holster is a walking-jacket that hugs your cat snugly, safely and comfortably while you explore the outdoors.

we've got them in blue denim, red bandana and basic black and in multiple sizes.  measure your kitty's girth (around the belly-to-back area) in advance to get the best fit.  (but be polite about it, they have feelings, too.)

introducing dave's for dogs

we're huge fans of dave from dave's pet food. check out that sweet mustache - and who doesn't love high-quality food that's easy to digest and easy on the pocketbook?

now the dogs can have their day too - we stocked up on four grain-free flavors (including pork!) and a simple chicken and rice formula, great for upset or sensitive tummies.

they've even earned the butler seal of approval.

little*jacs for little dogs

springtime brings more walks, more dog park visits and with those, more training.

the perennial favorite of chicken-liver-lovers for ages, Bil*Jacs, have introduced Little*Jacs, a smaller-size bite that works great for the petite pooch.  the semi-soft, super tasty treats work great in training classes or for your own reward-based exercises.

our madcat dogs-in-training are loving them.  the sitting-and-staying part?  not so much.

make your cat go crazy with jitter bug critters

you know those little plastic bugs that vibrate along the floor, amusing and tickling your brain with skitterring delight?  well we've got them....FOR CATS!

they are available in mouse, ladybug, and beetle-shapes and cost about the same as a grande latte.  check out the video below for a full demo by our own lucy madcat.

she's already a big fan:

you want it, you got it -- natural balance L.I.D. cat food

that's right, natural balance limited ingredient diets have rolled into a madcat near you.  what is limited ingredient?  grain-free, simple formulas for kitties with food sensitivities and allergies.

we've got duck and pea and salmon and  pea in dry and canned.

 just another weapon in our fight against food sensitivities.  game on.

super bowl commercials - need more cats

we're hoping for some funny cat commercials during tonight's super bowl.

maybe a play on keyboard cat or any of the "invisible" series of lolcats.


remember this one?  they got it right.