The Teal Nail Project
Sunday October 16th is National Feral Cat Day! Thanks to amazing volunteers from around the country, there will be events in every state. From adoptions to spay and neuter to outreach, check out Alley Cat Alley’s calendar of events to see how you can get involved.
Meanwhile at Teal Cat Headquarters, we’re making our own plans to pitch in, and we’d love for you to join us! It’s called the Teal Nail Project, and as you can probably guess, we’re asking everyone to paint their nails teal for Feral Cat Day.
Image from Hannah Bonanza on Flickr
When the compliments start rolling in (and teal nails always get compliments) you can let people know that it’s National Feral Cat Day. If they’d like to know more, send them over to NationalFeralCatDay.org. Who knows? Your manicure just might inspire others to get involved. At the very least you’ll be raising awareness and your hands will be looking fabulous. And serendipitously, Alley Cat Alley has chosen teal to represent National Feral Cat Day, so this is fate!
And since obviously your nails should be cruelty free for this occasion, we’ve compiled a list of teal nail polishes that aren’t tested on animals, and that don’t use animal ingredients.
Go sparkly with Orly’s Hailey’s Comet, Sinful Colors Nail Junkie or Wet N’ Wild’s Teal Of Fortune.
Image from chocolatekittymeow on Flickr
For a sleek, classic look try Orly’s Frisky or Viridian Vinyl, ELF’s Teal Blue, or China Glaze’s Custom Kicks.
And if you’re looking for some fun manicure ideas, check out The Look For Less’ Manicure Mondays. Lacey, checkerboard, or Frenchie manicures can be yours!
Please post your pics either in the comments or on the Teal Cat Project Facebook, and we’ll compile them all. Happy painting, everyone!
How to Get Your Cat to Scratch Something That’s Not Worth Hundreds of Dollars
From Suck UK
There are a few reasons why cats have that need to scratch. For starters, it’s a way for them to mark their territory — cats have scent pads on their paws, and they leave their smell behind when they scratch. Scratching also just makes your cats happy — it gives them an awesome stretch and works their muscles. It’s kitty calisthenics!
When you’re picking out a post for your cat, think gritty over pretty, like corrugated cardboard and sisal rope. Select something that’s either tall enough or long enough for your cat to extend his or her whole body. Also make sure the scratching surface is steady — your cat might never go back to a post that toppled over.
How can you get your cat to use the post once you’ve picked up a great one? Keep it somewhere where your cat likes to hang out and associate the scratcher with awesomeness — play with your cat by it, put treats on it, rub catnip on it.
Up next: why declawing is a very bad, no good, terrible idea!
Teal Cat Banners For Your Site
Help us spread the word about the Teal Cat Project with these stylish banners!
To use, just right click and download the banners you like. Please link to us here at http://www.tealcatproject.com. We really appreciate your support!
Click here for this banner in full-size, it’s too long to publish here!
Hand-Stamped Cat Tights DIY
Hi again! I have been interested in hand-stamping clothing for a little while now–ok, I have been OBSESSED! This Hand-Stamped DIY is following a few adventures in fabric painting on PaperSparrow. My first project was the Felicity Fox dress and shortly after followed a D&G {inspired} Stars Dress. Since Autumn is in the air, colorful printed tights are a must in my wardrobe and these teal ones were calling out for a cat pattern =^_^=
I styled my teal Cat Tights with some vintage finds and thrifted goodies. Thanks for stopping by the Teal Cat Project and be sure to share your photos if you make your own hand-stamped tights *you definitely should* : )
Beyond Stuffed Mice: Toys For The Discerning Cat
You know the old adage about children playing with the box a toy comes in more than the toy itself? In my experience, cats are the same way. The real toys I buy my cats have been batted away to some far-off corner in the basement, while stray bits of ribbon and felt stay in heavy rotation. Occasionally, though, I can’t resist spoiling them with cute and clever toys, like the ones featured here.
Combining the analog charm of mix tapes with corny puns, Too Bad Mice specializes in organic catnip-stuffed cassette tapes, but also makes toys
in designs like pizza slices and cartoonishly large gemstones. Each cassette is emblazoned with the name of a kitty-themed band (Purrvana, Spayer, and Alice Scooper are among my faves). They’re available for $6 each (plus shipping) or up to $30 for multi-packs in the Too Bad Mice Etsy shop.
A mix-tape 6-pack from Too Bad Mice
Oh Boy! Cat Toy’s irreverent designs are sometimes hilarious, sometimes disturbing. Perhaps best known for their felt homage to The Human
Centipede, the company also sells toys in shapes like fat, organic catnip-loaded joints; beer mugs; tacos; and toilet paper rolls – many of them anthropomorphized with adorable felt eyes. Their toys range from $10 to $26 (larger toys contain up to ¼ pound of catnip!) and are available on their website and in specialty stores.
Beer mug by Oh Boy! Cat Toy
I’ve always had an affinity for plush food (my own cat, Stu, plays regularly with a Duktig felt breakfast set from IKEA), so the Polydactyl Cats Etsy shop — filled with faux Chinese takeout sauce packets (with ric rac “sauce”) and hash browns — is right up my alley! Added bonus: a portion of proceeds from each sale is donated to PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society). Toys — which come authentically packaged down to the tiniest details, and are stuffed with your choice of organic catnip or organic bamboo fiberfill — are $14-$26 each ($49 to $81 for sets), plus shipping, in the Etsy shop.
Deluxe Asian sauce packet set by Polydactyl Cats
