MSI Press Blog

  If you share your home with a cat, you've probably experienced it: the unmistakable sound of retching at 3 a.m., followed by a resigned search for paper towels. Cats vomit often enough that many owners find themselves wondering whether it's normal or a sign of something serious. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Occasional vomiting can be part of life with a cat. Frequent vomiting is not. The "Probably Just Tuesday" Category Many otherwise healthy cats vomit from time to time for fairly benign reasons. A hairball every few weeks is usually not alarming, especially during shedding season. Cats may also vomit shortly after eating too quickly, particularly if they compete with other pets for food or gulp down a favorite meal. Some cats have sensitive stomachs and occasionally react to a dietary change, a rich treat, or something they should not have sampled. If your cat vomits once, then immediately returns to normal behavior, eats well, drinks normally, and acts...

                                Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Bella & Firas About Bella (from Firas):  I am terrified. Every time I look at Bella, tears fill my eyes. I’m afraid to fall asleep because I fear waking up in the morning and finding that my precious girl is gone. I’m terrified of having to bury the one I love so deeply, simply because I couldn’t afford to get her the treatment she needs. I cannot bear the thought of losing her. She is not just a cat to me; she is my companion, my comfort, and one of the most precious parts of my life here in Gaza. All I have asked for is $100 to buy Bella’s treatment, yet I have struggled to raise even that amount. I don’t know how to keep begging while watching her get weaker every day. I feel so helpless, and my heart is breaking because I cannot explain to Bella why I haven’t been able to make her pain stop. Abo...

  Cats and Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Lulu and Sharif Sharif introduces himself this way: FROM GAZA, THE LAND OF WAR ; I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CAT NAMED LULU . Sharif is a young man trying to help his family and his "beautiful" dying cat, Lulu, who could live if she can get the medical treatment she needs -- a cost of $106 outstanding (down from $150, thanks to kind donors). He has worked hard to make a life for himself as well. He has received permission to enroll in education in France, but he lacks $450 for the visa. Twitter users have come to Sharif's rescue as he has navigated these problems -- and hopes. Currently, he still needs $556 USD to keep Lulu alive and obtain his visa. From the picture (others show Lulu obviously suffering), Lulu's situation is clearly urgent. Donations are needed very soon to save her. Here is Sharif's story: I am Shreef Al-Jabour, 24 years old, and I live in Gaza under extremely harsh conditions caused by the war. Eve...

   Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Animal Friends Shelter and the Skaik Brothers 🥀🐾 Here is how the Skaik brothers describe their situation and their X presence: "Destroyed shelter. Displaced family. Sharing real moments from Gaza with our rescued cats."  Tamer and Samer Skaik and their families were caring for 50+ cats in a shelter they created when the bombs came to Gaza. They moved the cats when one building was bombed; they live in bombed out buildings and they go to the outside to feed the cats who always come looking for their meals--but they do not always have the means to do so without the help of kind people across the world, supporting them through the Internet and a GoFundMe site.  Their story over the past two years has been one of family and cat population displacement. Through it all, they have maintained the steadfast relief to cats -- and even an occasional dog that comes by. In spite of limited and dwindling resources, t...