What’s Up With Catnip?

the lowdown on why it makes your kitty go crazy

No matter the feline friend – domestic cat, leopard, lion, you name it – cats often go crazy for catnip. Unsurprisingly, there’s a scientific answer for why, dating back millions of years and following an evolutionary trait ...

Adopting a Senior Cat is Hard – And Worth It

‘Toby had been surrendered by an elderly owner, and he was curled up in the bottom row of boxes. Tired, sad, and alone. ... We had to take him home.’

On July 2, 2018, my partner, Tabitha, and I made arguably our first big commitment together as we walked into the Eau Claire Community Humane Association to find us a cat. As a lover of stories, I read every one of the little cat biographies ...

Good Dogs Deserve Good Digs

downtown Eau Claire’s new B7 Flats prides itself on pet-friendly amenities

Downtown Eau Claire’s newest apartment community may also be its most pet-friendly. B7 Flats, whose 111 units officially opened in September, was designed with the latest amenities for both its human residents and their canine companions ...

Local Animal Shelters Are Full. What Can We Do?

Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Dunn County shelters need fosters, volunteers, and adopters

Chippewa Valley animal shelters are plumb full. Whether due to taking in strays ahead of colder weather; housing instability or pet care costs leading to owners' inability to care for their animals; taking in animals displaced by hurricanes Helene or Milton; or the busy ...

E.C. Humane Association’s New Vet Team Expands Care Services for Shelter Animals

medical TLC now available in-house for animals on way to ‘forever homes’

The Eau Claire Community Humane Association’s mission is “to be a voice for all animals by providing education, resources, support for the community and compassionate care for homeless animals until they can be placed in forever homes.” Until recently, without ...

100 CATS, 100 HOMES: Mr. Kitty’s Cat Cafe Celebrates 100th Adoption

local cat cafe hits major milestone after opening doors less than six months ago

The area’s only cat cafe has been an incredible hit since opening its doors this past April, but even owner Shelli Schuppel was happily surprised to see the frequency of adoptions had led to a major milestone so soon. Friday, Sept. 27, marked Mr. Kitty’s Cat Cafe’s ...

E.C. Humane Association Has New Fur-Ever Home

animal org moved into new, $6.5M facility in mid-March

The Eau Claire County Humane Association began transitioning into the new facility, which is next to its former home at 3900 Old Town Road, in mid-March. All of the shelter’s animals were moved into the new building, although for about 10 days staff members ...

From Cats and Dogs to Cows and Horses, Local Photographer Captures Them All

Bettie Scott Photography works with animal-focused organizations to offer free photoshoots

If you keep up with the Eau Claire County Humane Association online, you may recall earlier this year in the spring when the organization commemorated kitten season with a devastatingly adorable, heart-warming maternity photoshoot for one of ...

Remembering Tucker: Small Paws Made a Lasting Impression

a personal look into the permanent places pets keep in our hearts long after they’re gone

It’s been over 30 years since I held Tucker, but the memories come easy. How surprisingly soft his tightly coiled white fur was. The chronic eye boogers and persistent tear stains despite daily face washings. The way he always smelled like perfumed ...

Furry Friends in Need of Food and More

Chippewa Valley Cat Club hosts annual Pet Food Drive with St. Francis Food Pantry

Help pets in need this holiday season locally. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, the Chippewa Valley Cat Club is hosting its annual Pet Food Drive of 12 years. Donations of all kinds for pets can be dropped off at ...