are there any enclosed cat runs in the city? i want my cat to get exercise by running and jumping and climbing and all that good stuff. he doesn't have the room in my apartment to do that enough. if there aren't any such runs, there should be!

sorry but *eye roll*

btfabt, do you also *eye roll* at all the dog runs in the city?
This isn't something I've ever thought about but its a good idea! A kitty run would also be preeetty adorable to watch.

love kitties, but the expression "herding cats" comes forcibly to mind...heehee

double *eye roll*. and, no, I don't at dog runs.

do cats socialize in this way? do they mix well with strange cats in large numbers?

Not that I'm a cat expert but two of mine are extremely social around other cats, dogs, people, you name it. They'd probably love to romp around. The other one would be much more content on his chair, inside the apt.

On another note, I was at the W. 18th St. Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday looking for a Dyson Slim, and whaddya know--they're massively on sale, down to $325 or thereabouts from $465 or thereabouts!

I got my invitation over the weekend for the opening night party at Williams Sonoma Home's new store at Columbus Circle !! I didn't know they were planning on a store here but I'm very excited. I love love love their stuff.

Is the WS Home different from regular old WS? That's been at Columbus Circle (in the Time Warner building) for ages.

Williams-Sonoma Home is furniture and home accessories. WSHome.com.

In weird accord with AT's Pet Month, the ASPCA is giving away free adult cats this week.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_nyc

Yay! Kitties for everyone!

I have been a member of the cat fancy world, we show our cats. FYI Cats are much more fragile that dogs and more susceptible to diseases when congregated with other cats. I would never take my cat to a play park or any other such location.

I encourage you to get creative in providing surfaces for your cat to climb and jump in your home. You should also by some human activated cat toys with things your cat likes to chase on the end. My cats have enjoyed untold hours of vigorous exercise at the end of these toys.

you make great points, Alice. i forgot about feline leukemia, for one. a climbing tree/thingy may just be the ticket! thanks!

New subject - my tenant is leaving after 5 years in a co-op I sublet.. Reasonable rent of $1575 no fee but co-op application $500 payable to co-op for credit report fact checking etc.. 310 sq foot With a loft brick wall non working fireplace full size fridge. AT reader preffered. Need 70K per year income for co-op to qualify and no other loans. Parent cosigner ok if you have debt income Rent needs to be no more then 28% of incomes. One person apt only and no pets allowed. Great location 85th street off second ave, laundry in basement and bike storage.
email me at stephanie@31islandview.com
Lets enter the small coolest contest next year.

anne,

when is that store opening? i just bought a rug from them online.

parrishnut -

Since you prefer an AT reader AND it is pet month, won't you reconsider allowing pets? You don't want to ruin a theme do you?

My invitation says the opening party is the evening of Oct. 14th. My guess is that it opens to the public the next day. (10 Columbus Circle)

One major reason so many pets end up in shelters and are killed is because of those 3 little words:
No Pets Allowed

Does anyone have tips on how to get readers on their blog? Aside from a few close friends and a random stranger or to, I don't think anyone sees it. Any tips?

http://thelionsof.blogspot.com/

Does anyone have information about replacing a PTAC unit?

The one in our apartment is very old and we were told that it can't be fixed, only replaced. When I called around, I'm getting quotes of ~$4500 for parts and material. That just seems like an awful lot of money. Is this our only choice? Or are there other options available? Is the bulk of the cost for the material or the labor?

Any help is appreciated!

Pet month, how perfect - I am looking to adopt a dog! I don't have a breed in mind but am looking for a medium sized dog that's good with children and can go running with me. I would love to visit shelters and find the one that seems right. Any recommendations on where to start looking?

There's a no-kill animal shelter in Williamsburg on N. First St. and Wythe called BARC.

Has anyone been to the Home Delivery exhibit at MoMA? Opinions? Worth traveling to from across the country? (I'm asking for someone else...)

http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=5476&ref=calendar

Thanks!

Please please please go to CACC to find your new dog. I used to volunteer there, and they are forced to euthanize hundreds of dogs a week because they have no room and they cannot place them. It's heartbreaking the amazing dogs that I used to see put down there. They are mandated by the city so they cannot refuse any animal that is brought to them, and they are also one of the few kill shelters left, meaning that there is little hope for the unfortunate creatures that find themselves there rather than at one of the no kill shelters. They also have a website that shows most, but not all of the dogs that they have available for adoption: http://www.nycacc.org
They have shelters in each of the five boroughs.

Thanks so much for the animal shelter info! Very helpful, I'll try to visit both.

Sorry, but I hate cats. Love the doggies though!

i second the nycacc. i got my wonderful dog, pickle, there. he is great. i would highly recommend teaming up with a rescue agency- like new yorkers for companion animals (call Patty at (212) 427-8273) to go with you. they will able to show you dogs would are scheduled to be euthanized - which are great dogs, just unlucky or a little older. pickle, our pit bull mix, was about 5 when we got him from death row at the manhattan acc. he was house trained, knew how to sit, stay, lie down. he was going to be put down because he had a cold and was no longer a puppy. this area of the pound is not accessible to everyone, so call a recue agency to save these dogs. and please consider an adult dog (no housebreaking necessary!) and a pit bull!

Soxfordgal, I think you should post this as a question to AT. I think this would be a great resource for AT. And it will just get lost in this thread. I am looking for a rescue dog as well ( age 2 yrs , medium sized, low to mid energy level with no major behavioral problems) and so I sent essentially the same question to AT in August. I have been looking at NYCACC , ASPCA and BARC but I have been overwhelmed trying to figure out all the rescue organizations on petfinder.org. Are there really good rescue organizations and some to stay away from etc ? I know ATers love their pets so I know lots of people would chime in. My rescue organization question was never posted but maybe yours will.

oops I meant older than 2 yrs.

I'm a volunteer at BARC and it's a great shelter. Vinny and Tony own the place and they'll be happy to help you find the right pet. Please remember to ask questions so you get the dog that suits your lifestyle and not just a dog because he/she's cute.

Oh yes !!! I also agree that the CACC is the place to go. They schedule euthanasia every evening to put down many dogs and cats. The cages are marked so you'll know which ones are on that list. You can also go on their website to do a bit of research before you go. You'll feel great for the rest of your life knowing you saved a wonderful animal!

luckysquid: your story about pickle just made me tear up a little.

you are a good person, thank you for saving him.