4-H Cat Project SNAPSHOT 4H1640

CURRICULA & RESOURCES National 4-H Curricula http://www.4-h.org/resource- library/curriculum/ »»Cats WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? • Purr-fect Pals (08148) Cats are a wonderful addition to a family and great companions for any- • Climbing Up (08149) one living alone. They require minimal care but love attention. The 4-H cat project helps you explore what kind of cat fits into your family’s lifestyle. • Leaping Forward It will enable you to be an excellent trainer and caretaker of your cat. (08150) »»Learn major cat breeds and identify their characteristics. • Helper’s Guide (08151) »»Study responsibilities of cat ownership. Other Resources »»Demonstrate cat care and management in feeding, handling, keeping records, »»The Cat Fanciers’ grooming and fitting. Association: http://www.cfa. »»Learn cat health regulations, first aid and simple treatments for ailments. org/Shows/AboutCFAShows. aspx »»Explore careers related to animal science. »»eXtension: http://www. extension.org/category/cat THE BIG PICTURE »»The International Cat Association: http://www. Starting Out: Learning More: Expanding Horizons: tica.org/member.php »»Gather information and »»Plan a training and »»Create a trainer’s diary to determine the best cat for exercise program for your assist you when you work your family. cat. with your cat. Learn about the proper care, »» »»Prepare your cat for Create a cat ownership grooming and feeding of »» participation in cat your cat. budget plan. »»Learn to identify the parts shows. »»Help a friend make a of a cat. »»Make a decision about decision about owning a »»Create a plan to prevent your breeding or not breeding cat. cat from getting lost and an your cat. »»Research diseases in cats. emergency plan for if it does »»Compare the labels on »»Identify symptoms and get lost. cat foods to make an a course of action if your »»Purchase the appropriate informed decision on cat gets sick. grooming equipment and use content and price. Research career options proper grooming techniques »» Keep a diary of your on your cat. »» dealing with cats. »»Practice appropriate training cats’s health and eating for your cat. habits. »»Learn the various body »»Research kennel facilities language signs of your cat’s in your area and decide if personality. one is right for your cat.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION | 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 4-H Cat Project Snapshot

FOCUS ON CATS Science Communication »»Explore the parts and function of Prepare a poster or demonstration on: a cat’s digestive system. »»How to approach an unfamiliar cat »»Monitor the effect of environ- safely. mental conditions on your cat. »»How to prepare a cat for showing. »»Learn about pack behavior and »»How to train a cat for showing. compare it to your own cat’s behavior. »»How to select a nutritional diet. »»How to select cat species for your family. Citizenship & Leadership Life Skills »»Volunteer at an animal shelter. »»Use critical-thinking, problem- »»Write a letter to your local paper solving and decision-making skills about the importance of having to help you make good decisions cats spayed or neutered. about project management. »»Organize a cat show for your club. »»Keep records on your project expenses and income. »»Develop a plan to foster cats of deploying soldiers. »»Practice personal resiliency through successes and challenges in your project.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? »»Contact your local Michigan State »»Explore what kinds of cats make the »»Attend a 4-H cat project meeting. University (MSU) Extension office best pets and what breeds make the »»Complete a cat project record book for workshops, activities and events. best inside or outside pets. to track your income, expenses and »»Learn about service animals and the »»Learn how local pet stores acquire experiences with your cat. process of fostering and training one. cats. »»Contact your local MSU Extension »»Job shadow at a local business (pet »»Research all the kinds of parasites 4-H staff to be nominated to serve store, veterinary clinic, breeder or your cat might get, and find out how on the State 4-H Companion Animal groomer) in a cat-related career that to protect yourself and your cat. Committee. interests you. »»Do some comparison shopping for »»If you are interested in a college »»Go to local and area cat shows, and cat supplies. education in animal science or explore the differences in cat breeds »»Explore what kind of restrictions veterinary medicine, visit MSU’s and the different ways they are and laws your community might website at www.msu.edu to explore shown. have on cats. those majors. »»Explore health safety issues with »»Explore the uses and benefits of cats and the diseases cats have that animal-assisted therapy. might make humans ill.

Adapted with permission from The Iowa Hot Sheets by Iowa State University Extension, 2011, Iowa 4-H Project Hot Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.extension.iastate. edu/4h/projects/ MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Margaret A. Bethel, Interim Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorse- ment by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. The name “4-H” and the emblem consisting of a four-leaf clover with stem and the “H” on each leaflet are protected under Title 18 U.S.C. 707. (4H1640 1P-WEB-8:2014-PA) Produced by ANR Communications.