Volunteering and Flea Contact

[Cherie]

So I signed up to volunteer at a local animal shelter, and I know when I have visited before, that some of the cats brought in have fleas. I give my cats Advantage once a month because I found flea poop on my cat and don't know how she got fleas (doesn't go outside, no windows that open), so I think there may have been some eggs in my apartment or something, but I just wanted to give it to them to prevent a really bad infestation. So my cats are both on Advantage. :( But I was wondering if there could be downfalls to volunteering and being in contact with other cats? With fleas? Not to mention jealousy!

[Bowwowmeow]

Try not to feel bad about the Advantage. I've used it before. Flea infestations can be really debilitating for some animals. I remember when I first found Seymour, he was too tiny for flea drops, and I used to flea-comb him. Not fun. But baby animals can get anemia and even die from out of control fleas.

As a pet sitter, I don't recall ever having brought home a flea infestation, but I suppose its possible that you might carry a few fleas home if you have close contact with flea-infested animals. I've never had illnesses pass from the animals I contact and my own, either.

I have never had any jealousy problems either. They actually seem to love to smell me when I come home, and I don't notice any distress at all. Most of the animals I know or meet love to smell me, even the ones who "hate" cats or dogs. I always expect a dog-hating cat, or a cat-hating dog, to treat me like the animal they "hate" because I smell like them, but it never seems to happen. :p

[Cherie]

:wigglebutt:


Thanks, I feel better about it now!

[Gliondrach]

You could wear special clothes when you are at the shelter. Take them off as you enter your house and put them in a plastic bag and then tie the top. That way, you won't be at risk of bringing any in with you.

[Cherie]

Yeah....I think I'm going ot see how the cats react and make sure they are okay. My first time isn't until the 28th bcause I'm going on vacation. I'm excited, though! :yea: