High tech music for cats

I just love science, and I’m always thrilled when I read studies related to animals and how they think. It’s about time we humans try to understand the creatures who make our lives so much richer. When I happened upon an article by Dr. Charles Snowdon, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I couldn’t resist reading it and then listening to cat music.

To quote Dr. Snowdon, “Cats are not humans and humans are not cats and it is important that we humans, as the servants of cats, be aware of the difference.”

That said, Dr. Snowdon and his colleagues developed a theory that suggests species other than humans can enjoy music but the music has to be in the frequency range that the species uses to communicate and with the tempos that they would use.

To create cat music, the research team tried to mimic natural cat sounds, using sliding notes and high pitches. Cat calls tend to be an octave or more above human voices. The tempo of the music was based on purring or suckling sounds. The results of their collaboration can be heard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh9SBfdnMec.

The scientists concluded the study by playing the music to 47 domestic cats and recording their reactions. When the music was playing, the cats turned their heads toward it or walked to the speaker. This reaction is interpreted as positive, showing the cats had a preference. So is music for cats?

According to Dr. Snowdon, it’s the cat’s meow, literally. Hopefully everyone found their home.

WHO’S WHO AT CAPS?

Amber Moya is a lovely young lady who spends her summers in Fallon volunteering for CAPS. She is a senior in college and her dedication to CAPS and our guests is amazing. Amber is so clever that she can do anything. She has organized and inventoried files along with any duties she’s been asked to do. We are so fortunate and thankful for Amber. She, like her name, is a gem. You can meet and thank her tomorrow at our Wal-Mart Saturday where she cheerfully volunteers more of her time.

WHO’S NEW AT THE CAPS ZOO?

Little Orphan Annie is a sweet kitty looking for her Daddy (or Momma) Warbucks. She’s a gray and white short hair. Annie is nine months old and loves people. She is looking for that special someone who will love only her because she wants to be an only kitty.

We also have 13 frisky kitties and three female puppies who are too cute for words! CAPS’ policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under five years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.

CAPS NEWS AND EVENTS

Vote for CAPS in the Animal Rescue Site’s Shelter Challenge. The website is theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com. At the top of the homepage, click on Shelter Challenge.

CAPS will be at Walmart tomorrow with Ki and our Kissin’ Booth. Ki is ready to smooch are you? We have plenty of shirts and caps, so please check them out before or after greeting Ki.

CAPS’ garage sale is coming soon. We need your gently used appliances, furniture, tennis rackets, treadmills and miscellaneous items. We don’t need clothing. If you have items to donate, you can drop them off at our storage units located at 1105 Taylor Place (Spring Valley Rentals) units 67 and 68. Someone will be there from 9-11 a.m. on the following dates: July 18 and 25; and Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22. If you cannot make it on those dates, call Rita Hand at 775-423-6346 or 775-427-3376. Please leave a message if necessary, and Rita will return your call as soon as she can.

Flower Tree Nursery is raffling a 15-gallon tree of your choice. The raffle tickets are available at Flower Tree, and they are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets. Be sure to get your tickets soon. The drawing date will be Septe. 6, and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win.

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89406. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are really likable. Do you have questions, comments or a great story? Contact me jkwmil@outlook.com.

Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, contributed this week’s column.