Jacob Berkovitz Interview with Barbara Hess
Author of: TALES from the CAT HOUSE-A Collection of True Stories, by Barbara Hess aka"The Cat Lady"
100 pesos; available at the Animal Shelter
Animal Shelter, A.C., Tel 765-5514 Hidalgo (Carr.) #212, Riberas del Pilar
Hours: M-F 9-3:45; Sat 9-2:45.
About the Author
Jacob Berkovitz is eleven years old, lives in the Chapala area, and is an animal lover who has six cats and a dog. His cats were all adopted from the Animal Shelter under the recommendation of the Cat Lady, Barbara Hess. He has always wanted to write an article for publication and this is his first interview. This interview is in memory of "Rumpy".
Jacob: Barbara, when did you get your first cat?Barbara: I got my first cat when I was three years old.
J: Do you remember its name?
B: Yes. It was "Fluffy".
J: Is the shelter privately owned?
B: The owner is Geoffrey Kaye, and although it is privately owned it is a registered non-profit charity. The store supports the shelter. It has a wide selection of petfood and supplies. We have just opened a new satellite store on the other side of Ajijic. There was a previous shelter was run by the Lake Chapala Humane Society. This current shelter building opened in 2001.
J: There is a veterinarian next door. Is there a relationship between the shelter and the vet?
B: Yes, the vet does our animal care and his name is Dr. Ladron. Did you know his father was one of the first vets in Guadalajara and he founded the veterinarian school at the university there?
J: What exactly do you do here?
B: I run the Cat House. I work with the vet regarding all the cats' health issues. I weigh the kittens and cats when they come in, treat for fleas and worms, and cut their nails. When needed, I give them their medication, supervise their isolation period and then their care and treatment in the kitten and main cages. I have charts on the walls on every cat: worming, vaccinations, leukemia tests, surgeries, whether to they need spaying and neutering and so forth. I also supervise and approve adoptions.
J: How old do the cats need to be to be spayed or neutered ?
B: We do them at six months old. You can tell how old they are by the teeth .
J: How do you remember all of the cats' names?
B. They're my children! They tell me their names. I also name the cats in the same litter by the same first letter. For example, Barnaby and Benson; Cailtlin, Celeste and Cassandra; or Tristan and Tallulah.
J: What is your adoption goal for 2008?
B: I can't know how many will come in, how many will be healthy; of course as many as possible. However, we do get a higher percentage of adoptions through here than in the north because I can keep them here a long time if they are healthy and if they are happy with the other cats... that's very important. Mordecai was here for 199 days. A cat normally cannot live in a group forever - they do get to their breaking point. We can have a maximum here of 40 kittens and cats.
J: I have adopted six cats from here. What is the limit?
B: I think you are about there. More than that and you become their keeper. The quality of life is what is important.
J: Do you have any tips for people adopting?
B: You have to take care. There are lots of dangers in Mexico. Cats should stay inside if possible. As soon as night comes, especially, since there are predators; owls, eagles, possums, raccoons, feral cats and dogs and coyotes. Cats can also die of poisoning because many people put poison out for rats. There are airborne diseases, you have to also treat for fleas and ticks. Make sure you change their water (bottled water) everyday because of airborne bacteria.
J: Can kids volunteer here?
B: Kids can come after school but there isn't much time before we close, and on weekends but it can get busy then. If kids are well behaved they can come into the kitten and cat cages under my supervision. They can also visit the birds here. Of course there is also the dog shelter to volunteer in across the street. Older children can help walk the dogs. Cuddling puppies, kittens and cats is always needed to socialize them. But my primary responsibility is the cats. I have to limit the interaction sometimes in order to control their environment for them.
J: How do you adopt a cat?
B: Well, you can't stay outside a cage and pick one. You need to come in and sit down and see who likes you. The cats pick their owner! That way the person and the pet are happy. If a cat doesn't like you, you don't get to keep it. You earn the respect of the cat.
J: How old does a kitten have to be to be adopted?
B: You can adopt a kitten if they are 6-7 weeks old. If Mexicans want to leave me their kittens, I ask them to keep them at home until 6-7 weeks of age so they get the calcium they need from the mother's milk. Also, the mother needs to teach them how to be cats and that takes at least 6 weeks. Then, we help the Mexican owner by spaying the mother cat.
J: What else do people need to know when they adopt?
B: White cats do not have as much pigment in their skin and are subjec to sunburn which leads to skin cancer. Their skin can burns easily; almost like an albino, so they must stay inside.
J: Where do your cats come from?
B: People find kittens and bring them in, or they are in a vacant lot, or on the street. Sometimes they are found in garbage cans and sadly they are sometimes thrown out of car windows. We have found some in bags and boxes left on the highway.
J: What are your hobbies when you are not here?
B: I make dog and cat beds which we sell here, and I have written my book "Tales from the Cat House" which we sell here also. Plus, I'm always available to answer cat questions.
J: Why did you write it?
B: I wanted to share stories about shelter cats with other people. I guarantee the stories will make you cry but that's life with living creatures. I wanted to draw attention to the shelter. It took me 5 months to write. There will be more stories to come when I do a reprint...more happy cats.
J: Did you have a favorite cat here?
B: There are always more favorites, but Tabatha, who is in the book, was a "special girl". Before she got leukemia she would help mother other kittens, I loved her and she could have stayed here forever!
J: Thank you Barbara.
B: Thank you.
