Why We Charge Admission

Recently, we’ve had a spate of folks express disappointment that there is an
admission fee to go into the Black Cat Lounge. We are as transparent as
possible in all of our advertising, commentary, and posts to social media
platforms – you have to pay to hang out with our fabulous (and adoptable)
house panthers.

Our prices are as low as we can make them:
$7.00 per person for 30 minutes,
$13.00 per person for 50 minutes,
$8.00 for a 30-minute mini-kid session that includes 1 adult and 1 child
under 7 years of age

Photo by HBCM

We are likely the lowest- priced cat lounge or cat café in the region, maybe
even in the entire country. In addition to helping foster adoptions, we also
focus on education about cat behavior, cat care, as well as telling the stories
of how our cats came to be in our care.

Running House of Black Cat Magic (HBCM) and the Black Cat Lounge is not
cheap—at any given point we have a minimum of 3-4 staff members
working, and employ a live-in human attendant who is on-call 24/7.
If you share your home with an animal friend, you likely know how costly it is
to supply food and care. Imagine multiplying that number by 20—which is
the current number of cats that are in care at HBCM. This does not include
the other 50 or so cats in our partnering rescue, Binx’s Home for Black Cats. 
And to be fair, the rescue does help shoulder the cost of providing for our
cats.

Especially for those who do not have an animal in their care that you must
provide for, we want to provide you with some stats on what our overall
costs are just for the care & feeding of the cats at HBCM. Additionally, we
want to give you an idea of the amount of time and energy required to
maintain it all.

On a daily basis we use at least 30 lbs of cat litter, 2 lbs of cat food, and
possibly more depending on the health and needs of the cats being cared for
in quarantine. The cost for this runs about $45-60 a day, depending on how many cats we have on the property.

Since HBCM is certified by the state of North Carolina as a shelter in order to
operate the Black Cat Lounge, we must adhere to the same regulations that
all shelters follow. This means that all of the cat areas—the lounge, the quiet
room, and quarantine—must be cleaned from top to bottom twice a day. No
exceptions, no holidays.

Cats (and the state) do not care if you are tired, if you have not had a day off
in 15 days, or you stubbed your toe and are limping. They expect you to
provide the care that you agreed to;, and we comply, no matter what. 
Every day we run between 3-4 loads of laundry since all the bedding gets
changed twice a day. A bad day in quarantine can easily double the number
of times a kennel needs to be cleaned and increase the amount of laundry.
Kittens are particularly messy, frequently coming to us with parasites, and
often require extra care like bottle feeding and daily meds.

Photo by HBCM

We also have special-needs and senior cats as residents in our lounge,
which require more care and increase costs, as well as taking additional time
and energy.

Laundry & cleaning supplies - $20 a day
Medication - $20 a day

Twice every day, lounge attendants do observations of the cats in our care
and record monitoring notes, as well as dispense medications and perform
whatever tasks are needed to maintain the health & well-being of our cats. 

Labor - $200 a day on average (and the owners are still not taking a salary).

Attendants and front-of-house staff share duties and are cross-trained to
make sure HBCM runs smoothly. We share a common purpose of educating
visitors and paving the way to find forever homes for every cat we take in.
That is our goal.

Additionally, we provide a base of operation for the Asheville Cat Weirdos
food pantry, help to support other rescues, host the PAWS mobile van that
provides low-cost community neuters, and provide information to literally
anyone who asks – on where to find services, how to address common (and
uncommon) cat behavioral issues, and answer so many other questions
every day.

On top of all of that, we do it with a smile on our collective faces.

Photo of adopter by HBCM

Cats are affected by the emotional expressions of those they interact with
and are surrounded by. This means that no matter what kind of day each of
us who work at HBCM are having, what we express when in proximity to our
cats MUST be positive.

It’s why we play low-key, soothing music in the shop and the lounge. And
when we need to scream because we just took the 10th call that day about a
cat we simply do not have the resources or space to take in, we go outside,
away from our residents, to do so until we have regained our composure. 
On average, excluding crises and special events, just the cat care end of
things run about $300 a day. That’s a little over $2000 a week.

So, in order to cover those costs, an average of 43 people a day at $7.00, or 215 people a week, are required to visit the lounge.

None of this cost analysis includes the start-up cost, general overhead
expenses like rent, utilities, internet and website, advertising, or general
maintenance costs. This is just how much it takes each week to run the
lounge and maintain all of the cat areas.

It’s important to note that the majority of the money taken in from sales in
the retail shop goes to support the lounge and cover payroll.

So now you know why we charge admission to the lounge. Without folks
generously paying to “pet cats,” we simply could not survive.

Thank you for helping us continue saving the lives of cats in our community.

PS. If you want to pet cats for free, there is not a shelter on the planet that
would say no to someone who genuinely wants to volunteer their time to
help care for and socialize the animals they are desperately trying to find
homes for and save.

Honoring the Cycle of Life

Honoring the Cycle of Life, and Death

Editor’s note: This post addresses multiple issues of death, depression, and euthanasia which some readers may find triggering.

Photo by Chiara Guercio of Unsplash

Life and death, inextricably intertwined, follow one another without fail. Learning to accept and honor the cycle is an important factor in being able to move forward, and frankly, to retaining one’s sanity. 

Kitten Season, inevitably leaves many small deaths in its wake. Try as we might, some kittens simply will not make it past kittenhood. It’s a harsh reality and often one that is heartbreaking. Whether you are a seasoned rescue worker, cat foster, or just a person who suddenly finds themselves caring for a community cat with kittens that seemingly showed up out of nowhere, having the tools to cope with loss and the grief that can follow is important. 

In fact, every person who provides a home for a cat (or any animal) will eventually be confronted with the end of a beloved life. It is part of the cycle of life and nature, and inescapable. 

Photo by CRZ of Unsplash

There is a reason funerary rites exist—they help us to grieve and accept the inevitable end of the story. Every story of life, be it one that is very short, one that spans decades, or just years, ends in death. The sooner we learn to accept this, the better able we are to process loss. 

We’ve created some simple and basic rituals for honoring the life that has ended, as well as honoring the efforts of those who worked tirelessly to save lives and/or make the passing as gentle and humane as possible. Finding ways to process the grief we feel at the loss of a beloved feline is important. 

It is doubly important to recognize the effort that goes into preserving life, and especially honoring those folks who provide palliative care and euthanasia. For caregivers and rescue workers, crafting rituals that help to find the balance between life and death is essential. 

Honoring our feelings of grief and loss are key to maintaining a healthy emotional, mental, and spiritual balance. Here are some simple rituals that can be used to help process losses.

Photo by Loan on Unsplash

Crafting a Cat Funeral

The first thing to decide is whether to inter or cremate. Unfortunately, this is something that has to be decided right away. So, if you have a cat that is spiraling down towards the end, it gives you a bit more time to decide. When a cat dies suddenly it often ends up needing to be a snap decision. 

For folks who move frequently, cremation is often a better option. You can still inter the ashes at a later date. The ashes of feline friends can also become a part of your ancestor altar, if you tend one.  

Burials should be done in an area that is unlikely to be disturbed, so away from water, septic, and other underground utility portals. (If you are not sure, check before you dig. Most states offer access to knowing where these underground lines run.) You should also make sure it is legal in the state or country you reside in for you to bury your feline. Laws can vary a great deal on what the requirements are. 

For an adult cat, you are going to want the depth of the burial to be between two and three feet. Whether you place them in a container or opt for a green burial depends on what the laws are and the circumstances of the death—some states specify that cats that have been euthanized must be in a container or cremated. 

You can place funerary herbs both in the bottom of the burial plot and then around and on top of your feline. Some herbs that are commonly used in funerary rites are: rosemary for remembrance, lavender for soothing, rose for love, rue for protection, and of course, no cat burial would be complete without catnip!

Once the body has been placed in the burial plot, you can offer up a prayer to Bastet, the land spirits, or any divine spirit that you work with. If you do not have any spiritual orientation, or follow a path of atheism, you can make a simple offering to the earth.

Photo by Dyachenkoproduction of Getty Images

Here are few examples of invocation that can be used:

“O’ Bastet, hear my plea. Please hold and keep my beloved (insert name of feline) safe in their passage to the next plane. Love them, as I have loved them, and help them to find as much joy in their transition as they have given to me in this life. Let their passage forward help to lighten our grief and loss. So mote it be.”

-----

“Spirits of the land, elemental spirits of air, fire, water, and earth, I call upon your grace and ask that you receive and tenderly hold the physical remains of my beloved (insert name of Feline) in your embrace. Allow their spirit to soar high, and discover new experiences to grant them as much joy as they have offered to me. And so it is.” 

-----

“I place my beloved (insert name of Feline) into the embrace of the earth so they can complete the cycle of life and provide nourishment to the soil and the plants and other beings that draw wellbeing from it. While they may no longer be at my side, I can take heart in knowing they continue to serve as a part of the living organism that is the planet. Gratitude and thanks for their presence in the world and mine.” 

-----
Naturally, you can include details and memories of your feline, or any other words you wish. You can also incorporate the replacement of the soil as part of the ritual, using it as a way to release grief and sadness—as each handful or spadesful of soil is transferred, imagine a bit of the sadness going with it. 

Once all the soil has been replaced, you can place a large stone over the site, plant a favorite herb, flower or tree, or fashion some other remembrance. 

Photo by Africa Images

Ritual for easing grief and loss

Whether your furry friend has crossed the rainbow bridge or just headed in that direction, this ritual is designed to help you find balance, acceptance, & peace. 

First, select a quiet place that you associate with your feline companion.

Next, assemble whatever herbs you intend to use. (Some suggestions: rose buds, linden flowers & leaves, and lavender.) 

Place the herbs in a mortar bowl. (If you do not have a mortar & pestle, you can simply use your fingers to crush & blend them together. For the ultra modern practitioner, even a small food processor or herb grinder also works!)

Focus on all of the joy, all the sadness, the loss, whatever you are feeling. Allow yourself the space to feel all of it and let it flow into the herbs as you work the mixture of herbs together. 

Once you have worked it to a medium consistency, use the herbs to create a circle. Place items that represent your panther—pictures, whiskers, fur, nail clippings, teeth, cremated remains—inside the circle along with a charm of your choosing to represent your feline.

Next, take a candle of your choosing in size and color and hold it, allowing the energy you are feeling to transfer to the candle. Once you feel that you have nothing left to give, set the candle in a holder and light while speaking this prayer to Bastet: 

“Blessed Bastet, Guardian of Panthers, hold dear within your essence the soul of my beloved friend ______ who walks on four paws. Guide them through their transition from this plain to the next.

“O’ Bastet, accept my tears & heartache as an offering to ease my loss & grief, and to guide me to acceptance.”

Once the candle has burned out, collect the herbs and cat charm and place them in a pouch, box or other receptacle. You can place the collection on your altar or carry some or all of the herbs with you and near your heart. You can also use a tiny bottle to place some of the herbs in to make amulet that can be worn.

If you choose to use a larger candle, you burn it in increments over the course of days or weeks after the initial working to help you to balance out the loss. Our suggestion would be to place the collection of used herbs and other accouterments near the candle each time you light it.  

Photo by John W. Ferguson of Getty Images

Amulet for rescue workers and animal caregivers

Those who work in animal welfare often see the worst of the worst. Burnout can be as high or sometimes even higher than it is for their counterparts who work in human health and welfare. 

Striking a balance between life and death, joy and sadness, can be a complicated matter. It can be hard to feel joy in our personal lives when others are dealing with grief and loss. 

An amulet for strength & balance can be a powerful tool to carry as a reminder to help. 

Here is a simple ritual for creating an amulet. Here’s what you need: 

Penny or any coin
Bloodstone chip
Rose quartz chip
Small bit of rosemary
Birthday candle

First, ground and center and consider the intent you wish to imbue with the amulet. Once you are clear on your intent and purpose, place the penny/coin on a fireproof surface. Next, add the stone chips and rosemary so they are on or touching the coin. Then, hold the candle in your hand and focus all of your intent on it. Gently apply a little flame from a lighter or match to the bottom of the candle—just enough to make it stick and stand on the coin. 

Now light the candle. You may wish to speak aloud your intent and express your desired purpose for the amulet, or you may just choose to think about. You can make up a little verse to be chanted or sung, or not. Whatever feels right, do that! 

Once the candle has burned completely down, you have created an amulet! You can place it in a tiny pouch to carry or wear as a reminder of the importance of the work you do and that you are balanced and strong enough to keep keepin’ on. 

All of the rituals outlined in this article are fluid, simple, and can easily be custom-tailored for whatever your specific needs might be. You can make them as detailed as you wish or need. However, in our experience, simple and streamlined workings often seem to be the most effective—especially when life is moving at a fast pace and does not allow for lengthy practices.

The Season of Small Deaths

Editor’s note: This post addresses multiple issues of death, depression, and euthanasia which some readers may find triggering.

Photo by Damla Ozkan of Unsplash

Most folks see those tiny baby kittens that often look like little bears and their hearts melt as they are overwhelmed by the innate cuteness. What could be more adorable than a newborn baby kitten?

From the perspective of the animal rescue worker, what we see is potential devastation and destruction, scorched earth, if you will. Neonatal kittens, often referred to as simply neonates, strike a certain level of dread into each of us. 

How could we possibly feel this way?

First of all, neonates die at an alarming rate. If they come in without a mother, the chances of all of them surviving is close to zero. If a mama cat has abandoned her litter, it is usually because she knows they are a lost cause. Granted, some mama cats have gone missing due to misadventure.

Mama cats just know. Ask any rescuer and they will tell you that if a mama pushes a kitten away or moves it away from the rest of the litter, that kitten almost certainly has some kind of genetic issue and is likely destined for crossing the veil. 

Oh sure, you can bottle feed, tube feed, do all the things, but 8 out 10 neonates rejected by a mama cat won't make it. And to be clear, we ALL try to save them. It takes tremendous amounts of resources—energy, time, and yes, money, but it's what we do. And we fail, over and over again. 

If we are going to be honest, if every kitten that was born lived, we would likely be overrun with cats in short order. So, there is that.

If you come across a litter of newborn or tiny kittens and do not see the mother, do not immediately assume they have been abandoned! Mama may be off hunting or scrounging for food. Neonates require being fed every few hours. If you remove the kittens without their mama, their chance of survival decreases dramatically. Waiting to see if the mama cat returns is critical. Trapping mama is also essential to their survival.

Photo by Gregory Rudakov of Unsplash

The adorable nuclear warhead: The Neonate Kitten

Most cats with kittens or any kittens that enter the animal rescue & shelter system, little is known about them when it comes to their health and history. Most are not chipped, so there is no one to contact or any way to obtain a history.

If the mama cat was vaccinated, then there is some hope of them managing to survive beyond kittenhood. Unfortunately, most are not up-to-date on their vaxxes, and some have never been vaxxed. In a perfect world, running titers would be inexpensive and easily accessible, but that is not the world we live in.

This means their kittens are susceptible to every preventable disease that a cat can catch. Sidebar: If you are a responsible cat parent, for the love of all that is holy, get your cat chipped, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered! 

One of the preventable diseases that is so prevalent in community and feral cats is feline distemper, also called PanLeuk. The effects of PanLeuk are devastating, weakening and killing i a matter of days. It's awful to bear witness to and almost impossible for a cat or kitten to survive if they have never been vaccinated. Remember, most kittens cannot be vaccinated for anything until they at least 6 weeks old. 

For those six weeks, the kittens have zero protection unless their mama has been vaccinated and able to pass on some immunity to her offspring. Add in some parasites and you have the perfect storm for a small death or a series of them. And yes, almost every cat that comes into a rescue has parasites if they have been outside and not recently treated for them.

So a neonate kitten that comes in without a mama is very likely to have at the very least parasites and at the worst, a genetic defect and possibly some other disease like PanLeuk. The neonate kitten is why we quarantine, wear protective gear, and clean like maniacs. PanLeuk is so contagious it can spread like wildfire through a rescue and even a cat that has been vaccinated against it can become ill. And a cat that has underlying health or immune systems issues? They can end up dying if infected. 

As a result of these hard facts, any rescue/shelter that has an outbreak is required by state law to have any and all of their facilities shut down for months until it is determined that site is biohazard-level clean. This also requires all the cats to be quarantined.

Most folks who work in rescue also have personal cats at home. Often their cats at home have health issues which is frequently why they adopted them in the first place. All of these cats are placed at risk by an outbreak. 

Talk about scorched earth... In short it is a nightmare scenario in the making. 

Photo by Kristin O Carlson of Unsplash

It is also important to recognize that even a healthy neonate can contract all manner of illnesses. Just parasites can kill, even with treatment. This is why when we handle them that we wear protective gear--they literally have no immune defenses against anything we might have picked up from being around or handling other animals. 

Another thing that frequently happens with folks who do not know any better, is that they will place a “singleton” kitten that has no mama or litter mates in with a nursing mama cat. This practice never ends well.
All too often the singleton kitten has a health issue and that ends up infecting the entire litter and the mama. So instead of just one kitten dying, some of the other kittens that were doing well, end up dying.

Kitten season is brutal and all too often the “season of small deaths.” Working in rescue is not for the faint of heart. Death is part of the cycle of nature. It is inescapable. Whether due to defect, disease, or simply the end of a long life due to natural causes, death completes the circle.

How we cope, and perhaps most importantly, how we honor both the life that ended and the work we do is crucial. Out next blog entry will offer some grief and funerary practices that anyone can do.

(Featured image at top of page is by Madalyn Cox of Unsplash)

Magical Plant Monday: Jasmine

The Magic of Jasmine

(Jasminum odoratissimum)

Photo by: CampWillowLake of Getty Images 

Associations:

• Planetary: Moon

• Energetic: Receptive/Feminine

• Elemental: Water

• Astrological: Pisces

The jasmine flower, with its intoxicating floral fragrance and delicate petals, has held a special place throughout various spiritual traditions across the globe. It's often associated with purity, love, and spiritual awakening, making it a powerful tool in different rituals and meditative practices. It doesn’t just bring a sense of peacefulness however, as it’s also been used as an aphrodisiac, sparking passion, and fostering romantic connections as well as for self-love.

Its ability to bring us a sense of clarity makes it an excellent addition when used in the realms of dreamwork, lunar rituals, and divination practices. Jasmine enhances attraction, calls beauty into life, fosters self-confidence, and is associated with the energy of the Maiden and to the new & waxing moon.

Photo by: Weisschr of Getty Images

When used in aromatherapy and spiritual healing practices, jasmine is utilized for its soothing and calming properties. Its fragrance is believed to promote a deeper connection with the spiritual self, opening our heart, encouraging relaxation, and emotional healing. Jasmine essential oil is often used in meditation and yoga to enhance mindfulness and a connection to the self.

Unsurprisingly, jasmine’s flower essence is similar to its magical uses. The essence offers us a sense of peacefulness and opens up the heart. It creates space to recharge in stillness and to align our soul with our higher self. Jasmine can help lift our spirits, reduce anxiety, bring compassion, and help us connect to our sensuality.

Jasmine has also been used within herbal remedies for painful joints, menstrual cramps, skin care, anxiety & depression, relieving stress, as a sleep aid, and as an antimicrobial & antibacterial. Jasmine also has some use as a support for the respiratory system, enhancing mental alertness, as an antioxidant, and a whole lot more!

Photo by: Chandra Sekhar

If you’re looking for ways to incorporate this flower into your own magical or spiritual practice, try using Jasmine in a dream pillow, as a tea for cleansing divination objects, before meditation, added to baths or incense blends, anointing candles, or even to aid in the practice of scrying, whether that be drunk as a tea beforehand or added to/used as the scrying water if you want to enhance the psychic realm that is so often associated with the moon and this magical flower. Vision and love are granted to those who work with and respect the incredible spirit of the jasmine flower. 

If you'd like to give Jasmine a try, check out the Jasmine Flower in the herb section of the shop, or check out this bath soak handcrafted by Dark Moon Botanicals!

Remember to take precaution when working with new herbs, make sure there are no contraindications in regards to any medications, pregnancy, or other herbs, and when used as an essential oil be certain to dilute it before applying to your skin. This is not medical advice and is spoken about as a curio and historical interest. We can not make any guarantees about outcomes and encourage you to do more research before starting a new herbal practice.

Featured photo credits: Jasminum odoratissimum in Botanical Garden of PBA Institute in Bydgoszcz

By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz CC BY 4.0

Mercury Goes Direct!

Mercury, oh Mercury…

This week marks our friendly planet of communication, Mercury, finally coming out of retrograde and going direct.

(Image credit: ESO/Y. Beletsky - (Link embedded for ESO/Y. Beletsky - http://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1025a/) - CC BY 4.0, (Link embedded in CC BY 4.0 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10726475)

For the non-astrologers in the room, three to four times a year, Mercury appears to be moving backwards or retrograde. To be clear, Mercury is not really moving backwards, it just appears to. In essence, it is an optical illusion. However, astrologically speaking, the impacts of a planet in retrograde are not an illusion.

Mercury rules communication, information, and how we think and express ourselves. When Mercury goes retrograde it often gets blamed for causing all manner of issues. Computer issues, contract disputes, mechanical failures, disagreements—these are all issues associated within the sphere of
Mercury’s influence.

Not everything weird or problematic that happens during its retrograde can be blamed on Mercury though. Astrologically, each person’s chart is almost as individually distinct as a fingerprint. How Mercury and when it is retrograde will impact a person depends on where it is in their birth or natal chart. Folks born when Mercury was retrograde will often have fewer issues during a retrograde than those who were not.

Regardless of where Mercury is within a person’s natal chart, there are some good ways to use the energy of a retrograde and sidestep potential issues.

Sometimes, the periods when Mercury is either moving in or out of a retrograde can be more intense. This is known as the shadow phase of its path and comprises roughly 10 days on either side of the retrograde.

Mercury in retrograde is a good reminder to carefully consider our words before we speak—this is a good habit to cultivate no matter what Mercury is doing! During a retrograde any activity that begins with or that you can place an re- in front of is supported. E.g. relax, renew, re-evaluate, restore, rethink, etc.

As Mercury stations direct and while the energy may still be a tad volatile, it is a great time to plan for action to be taken once the shadow phase is completed.

(Pictured: Annie Relaxing in the Cat Lounge)

Magically speaking, there are number of crystals, herbs, and colors associated with the god Mercury/Hermes for whom the planet is named. Calcite, clear quartz, citrine, and kyanite are some of the gemstones associated and used for Mercury. When it comes to colors, silver, yellow, and even green and light blue have an association. The herbs most commonly used are lavender, peppermint, sage, saffron, and thyme.

Of course, as the saying goes, ask 10 Witches and get 10 different answers! Folks who work directly with Mercury/Hermes will all likely have their own specific associations and substances they prefer.

Whatever your focus might be it is good to remember that Mercury rules communication, our ability to think and understand, as well as the ability to adapt to shifts and changes. Another good reminder is that no matter what the astrological aspect is, there is a way to work with it in ways that help us grow and become our more authentic selves.

And last but not least, if you are not sure what you want or need the one thing we can always recommend is coming and spending time in the Black Cat Lounge! If you are looking to contemplate, de-stress, or relax what could possibly better than hanging out with 12 furry felines who all have their own interpretations of how to cope with Mercury—retrograde or direct!

(Pictured: Bowie, Photo taken by Raven Sinclair)