November 2008
Great Lakes Cat Furniture                               
Newsletter
Join Our Mailing List
Cat Links
   Where to see
    our Product
Rosemont Show

November 29-30, 2008
CFA - Chicago Short Hair
DePage Co. Fairgrounds
Main Building #1
2015 Manchester Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187

December 13-14, 2008
CFA
Allen Park Community Ctr
15800 White Street
Allen Park, MI

January 10-11, 2009
CFA
Lucas County Rec Ctr
Maumee, OH 43537

January 24-25, 2009
CFA - Midwest Persian Tabby Fanciers
Allen Park Community Ctr
15800 White Street
Allen Park, MI

February 14-15, 2009
TICA
Lucas County Rec Ctr
Maumee, OH 43537

March 7-8, 2009
CFA - Midwest TGIF Club
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indianapolis, IN
New Kitten?
Breeder Referral Program
Kitten on tree
If you, or someone you know, are looking for a new kitten, we encourage you to check out what is available from our preferred breeders.

  Cat First Aid
Must Have Reference

Cat First Aid 
A source book to help you prepare for health emergencies that arise from sudden illness or injury. 

Includes detailed step by step action plans to treat your cat for over 60 health related situations.

A DVD accompanies the book that demonstrates how to perform many of the first aid steps described in the book.  It's also closed captioned for the hard of hearing.

Only $19.95 and includes shipping.

Buy Now
Looking for a good book, or the perfect gift?
Catitude

We have compiled a list of current book titles dealing with cats and cat health.  If you are looking for information, a good reference, or perhaps a special gift, click on the link below and you will be taken to list of pre-sorted books dealing with just your area of interest.


 eLayaway
Alternate Payment Plan

eLayaway

eLayaway provides you with an economical way to purchase a cat tree.
The rates are much less expensive than charging it to your credit card.  You know that when you receive you tree it has been paid for in full.  The use of this payment option gives you more buying power than the use of a credit card because the fees are so much lower. 


So check out our cat tree products today.  Select the one your cat would most enjoy and then select eLayaway as your form of payment.  We track your payment history and build your cat tree so its ready to ship within four business days of when you make the final payment.  Couldn't be easier.

Plan today for holiday delivery.

For more information on eLayaway see:
 

Greetings!
 
We're introducing our new wall mount cat tree before the end of the year.  We've had prototypes at a couple cat shows recently and the product has met with great reviews.  Keep an eye on our website because that's where the product will be made available.

Some of you have noticed the Kitty Kabinets on the website.  What happened was that I had to publish some site changes before a recent cat show and the Kitty Kabinet information got published before it was complete.  Completing it is now a priority and all the information should be there within a week.

The change to a new production facility has greatly improved our build process and we're just about to the point of guaranteeing shipping within ten business days of the order.  We are meeting that schedule on most orders, but we have a few rough edges to work out so we know we can do it every time.

We launched a "Breeder Referral Program" that provides breeders with an incentive to recommend our cat tree product to their new cat owners.   Right now the information is only available as we have direct contact with breeders at shows, but in the near future all this information will be online.

The next issue of our newsletter will be published in January. 

We hope all of you have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.
Thank you for your support.

Tom Kartes
greatlakescatfurniture@gmail.com
Christmas "Cat" Tree
What a great gift idea!

Xmas TreeI'm sure there is someone in your household who would just love to have a new cat tree for Christmas.  If you order before December 10 we will guarantee delivery in time for Christmas.


The Wall Mount
Unique Space Saver
 
Wall MountWithin the next couple weeks we will be adding a new product line to the website.  We're in the final stages of designing some unique cat furniture that will attach easily to a wall, will be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and provide a world of fun and security for your cat.

Our wall mount furniture will be built to the same standards as our original cat trees.  The same quality materials and workmanship will go into every unique piece.  From the contoured thermal lined leaves, to the thermal padded top, your cat will find a world of entertainment, comfort, and security all in one spot, that may not have found before.

This space saving cat furniture is going to be ideal for people who have limited floor space but still want to provide their cat with the full benefits of a complete cat tree.

The wall mounts will be offered in one foot increments from three to seven feet tall and come in a variety of colors to match any decor.  A wider leaf will be an option that can be ordered to accommodate larger breed cats such the Maine Coon.

We're excited about this new line of cat furniture and are working hard to make it available as soon as we can.  Keep an eye on our website because that is where we will be launching the product.

Money Saving Tips on Cat Care
Great ideas that may save you money

Money bagsWe had a request in last months newsletter for money saving ideas on cat care without sacrificing the quality of care provided to your cat.  We thank all of you who shared your ideas with us and have taken the liberty to group and paraphrase the responses.  Hopefully you may find a new idea that will be helpful or that you can modify to fit your particular situation.
1. And the winner is!  Without a doubt the number one response centered around preventative care.  If you can spot a problem early it can be treated for less overall expense than letting it become a major issue.  Making and keeping, at minimum, an appointment for an annual vet checkup should be a critical part of your money saving plan.
2. Work with your vet to save money.  Don't be afraid to ask if there is an alternative treatment.  Many times there are other choices that are just as effective.  Check to see if there is a "generic" to prescription medication.  You will also want to see if the prescription can be filled for less money at a local pharmacy than at the vet's office. 
3. If your cat has developed the "mashed potato spread" know that it is NOT healthy.  It's sad, but most cats in the U.S. today are overweight.  Overweight can lead to more serious problems like diabetes, cancer and arthritis.  Take the time to learn what is a good nutritional diet for your cat, stick with it, and forget the treats.  Also be sure your cat is getting enough exercise.  This may mean setting aside dedicated play time with your cat, or maybe it means buying a companion.
4. A very good money saving idea is to learn to do things yourself.  Establishing an at home routine for grooming can extend the period between professional appointments saving out of pocket expense.  Nail clipping, bathing, removing mats and tangles, and regularly brushing your cat's teeth are activities you can learn to do and are good money saving ideas.
5. Buy in bulk - many commodities can be purchased in bulk from cat food, to litter, to toys.  The more you buy, the more you save.  Just be careful you follow the manufacturers recommendation for shelf life and store in the recommended safe way.
6. We want to add a suggestion of our own.  And that is pet insurance.  We have covered pet insurance in past issues of this newsletter and just want to reiterate that insurance is worth considering if you don't have it especially if your cat is becoming a "senior".  We have included some Internet links in the "Cat Links" section above to make it easier for you to find information.

Don't stop sending us your money saving ideas.  We will continue to collect them and will publish more in the future.

The Right Cat Tree For The Breed
The Korat - A Symbol of Good Luck!

Korat
The Korat is an ancient cat from Thailand (formerly Siam).  The first mention in written history appeared in "The Cat-Book Poems" which dates between 1350 and 1767 and is kept in the National Library of Bangkok.

The Korat is known as the "good luck" cat of Thailand and in its native country is hardly ever sold, but rather given as a gift to ensure good luck.  The color of the breed is fixed at silver-blue and holds throughout its life.  Their coats are soft and close-lying, with each blue hair tipped with silver, and when the light catches it right you might think the cat was polished by a silversmith.  Adult males usually weigh between 8 and 10 pounds, while females weigh-in between 6 and 8 pounds.

Korats are highly intelligent gentle pets, always curious, love to play and are very fast and agile.  The breed is very "territorial" and it is often said their "human" is part of their territory.  For this reason Korats make ideal companions because they form an exceptional strong bond of affection with their owners.

These cats love to stay busy.  If they are not occupied doing "cat things" they will come to find you so they can "help out" with whatever it is you are doing.  The breed is trainable - just don't let the cat know what you are trying to do.  They love exercise and will challenge your stamina in interactive play.  It's a good idea to have a wide variety of cat toys to hold their interest.

For this particular breed we recommend a cat tree with a minimum three levels to satisfy their love of exercise and their agility.  It's also recommended to have a tree with at least one pass-through to increase the level of activity and keep their "curiosity" fine tuned.  A cubby hole would be an added feature to provide a secure resting place, or a storage spot for cat toys.

Suggested cat trees include:

Cody's Corner
Miscellaneous Kibble
 
Cody- Prevention Magazine recently listed two sources for fast medical help if you think your cat might have eaten something dangerous.  These professional services do charge a fee, but prompt care is the best way to protect your cats' health.

Animal Poison Control Center
(service of ASPCA)
888-426-4435 or www.aspc.org/apcc
$60.00 per incident

                       Pet Poison Helpline
                       (partners with Univ of Minnesota Vet Med Ctr)
                       800-213-6680 or www.petpoisonhelpline.com
                       $35.00 per incident

- During the holiday season many of you humans think you need to add live plants to compliment the festive decor.  Keep in mind that many normal household plants are poisonous to cats.  If you want to see a list of poisonous plants click on the link below.

Cody's final thought:
"Some of my favorite Christmas Carols include:"
"Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas"
"Oh, Come All Ye Fishful"
"Up on the Mousetop"
"Wreck the Halls"
"The First Meow"
"Silent Mice"
www.greatlakespetfurniture.com