The Cat Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Tickets, please!

Introducing Britain’s railway cats

Miraculous moggies Rescue Cat Awards 2010

Building for the future Behind the scenes at our new Ferndown Homing Centre

Tails of the heart Meetings and greetings of the feline kind

Plus Perfect ‘pawtraits’,

moggy medicines & a gaggle of giveaways

Are you certain she’s taken her worming tablet?

Ask your vet for a spot-on solution for cat worming.

To find out more information log onto www.profender.co.uk ÂŽ Registered Trade Mark of Bayer AG. Bayer plc, Animal Health Division, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury RG14 1JA. Tel: 01635 563000.

Welcome

The Team

Ryan O’Hara Senior Designer Amy Rutter Editorial Assistant Tom Briggs Assistant Editor

riting this in December, knowing that it will be read in late Miraculous moggies February or early March, I began hoping that my flowery images Building fo the future r referring to spring favourites of daffodils and lambs frolicking are not scuppered by the Tails of the heart notorious British weather. Who am I kidding? plus Gone are the days when you can firmly commit yourself to seasonal greetings clichés; we are now just as likely to see daffodils and lambs make their appearance in autumn! So I will dispense with the predictable spring salutations, turn off Vivaldi’s Seasons (1st Movement) and instead welcome you to another packed edition of The Cat magazine, the first of this new decade.

Topics covered are eclectic but as always the feline thread weaves its way throughout. Amy Rutter discovers how cats brought three women together with their partners on pages 32 to 34, Marilyn Crowther keeps the love theme going by investigating how cats made their indelible paw print on Valentine’s cards on pages 26 to 27 while on pages 28 to 29 Vicky Halls, our behaviour expert, gives advice to ensure that your cat doesn’t spell the end of your relationship!

Getting back to the gritty side of life, I have delved into the fascinating world of railway cats. Thank you to everyone who sent in information about rail cats near them; the response was so overwhelming that we have now extended the article into a two-parter. Part one can be found on pages 18 to 20 and part two will follow in the summer edition.

In addition, The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons provides information on pet medicines – prescription and otherwise – on pages 22 to 23. We also unveil the winners of our 2009 Photographic competition on pages 36 to 38. Tom Briggs welcomes the return of our Rescue Cat Awards by acknowledging feline heroics on pages 42 and 43 and you can read about how to get your nominations in on pages 50 to 51.

With the return of our Paws Outdoors fundraising campaign this June and the imminent opening of our Rehoming centre in Ferndown, 2010 promises to be an exciting and busy year.

Farewell the noughties and hail the tens!

Introducing Britai n’s railway cats

Rescue Cat Awar

ds 2010

Behind the scene Ferndown Homi s at our new ng Centre

Meetings and greetings of the feline kind

Francesca Watson Editor Rasoul Hudda Senior Designer

Contacts For editorial submissions to the magazine The Editor, The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT Email: editorial@cats.org.uk Web: www.thecat.org.uk We reserve the right to edit material for clarity or space. Cats Protection is not responsible for the opinions, advice and factual content of contributed items. The views expressed do not necessarily conform to those of the Trustees.

To book advertising Terry Lock Media Sales, 3 Forest Way, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 1JN Phone: 01372 276 233 Fax: 08707 051 901 Email: tslock@terrylockmediasales.co.uk Advertisements are accepted in good faith and we endeavour to check their accuracy. However, the charity gives no guarantees or endorsements of the products or services advertised. Cats Protection cannot accept responsibility for any correspondence between the parties, nor can they be expected to arbitrate should any dispute arise.

To change your details, become a Special Friend, subscribe, make a donation or become a member of Cats Protection: Supporter Services, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT Email: supporterservices@cats.org.uk Phone: 0800 917 2287 For all other enquiries: Cats Protection, National Cat Centre (NCC), Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT Phone: 03000 12 12 12 (Calls charged at standard rate) Fax: 08707 708 265 Email: cp@cats.org.uk Web: www.cats.org.uk

Published quarterly by Cats Protection.

Printed by Gemini Press Ltd. Printed on paper sourced from carefully-managed and renewed forests.

Please recycle this magazine when you have finished with it

Cats Protection’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

Perfect ‘paw traits’, moggy medi cines & a gaggle of givea ways

sman

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Spring 2010

CP Library/V alerie A Chee

From left to right

Tickets, please!

Cover photo:

Photo: Lee Bishop

…to the Spring 2010 issue of The Cat

Contents In this issue

14 Celebrity interview Comedian turned author Alexei Sayle talks cats and Communism

18 First class felines

In the firs t of a two-p art article, investigate we Britain’s ra ilway cats

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The Cat  Spring 2010

be the food 32 Ifofmewsic love, play on 26 Love cats

Cats can bring you happiness, but can they also lead you to find love?

Find out how cats went from undesirable to en vogue on Victorian valentine cards

Regulars 6

Letters

10 Cats’ tales

22

Just what the doctor ordered A look at the sale and purchase of veterinary medicines

13 Tried and te sted

35 Countdown to Ferndown

16 News

We look ahead to the opening of our new Ferndown Homing Centre

24 Ali’s cats

36

Picture perfect Announcing the winners of our annual photographic competition

28 Playing dete ctive

42 Rescue me

30 Ask the vets

A look at the cats who have turned the tables and rescued humans

47 Under the p aw

44 The glory of the greenhouse

Exploring the virtues of your own personal Kew Gardens

48 Our favourite thin

gs

50 From cat flap to stage door

52 Coffee paw s

We look forward to this year’s Rescue Cat Awards

54 Paws for tho ugh

t

55 Cats Protect ion in

focus

60 Diary of eve nts 62 Find your lo cal

Cats Protection

66 Kids’ corner 68 Making mem orie

s

69 Rememberin g ca

ts

70 Book review

The Cat Spring 2010

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Tell us about it Do you have an interesting story to tell, a point of view you want to air or something that you just have to get off your chest?

Send your thoughts, views, stories, funny photos and ‘mewsings’ to The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT or email us at editorial@cats.org.uk Don’t forget to tell us your return address and please remember that your letter may be edited for length.

Toileting tip

From: Paula Evans, Whitstable, Kent s a Fosterer for Cats Protection, many cats of different shapes, sizes and behaviour spend time with me. When it comes to using the litter tray, they all have their little ways, but what to do about the cat that puts its front paws in the litter but does his business outside the tray? I cut the closed end off a large, black plastic sack and proceeded to knot the four corners. This makes a large ‘tray’ in which I put a couple of newspapers and place the litter tray on top. So far it seems to work and when the tray needs cleaning, I just carefully tip the soiled litter onto the black sack, wrap it up and throw it away.

Vet’s note: Inappropriate toileting in the home can potentially have an underlying medical cause so we would recommend that you speak to your vet initially, just to rule this out. This toileting behaviour you describe is seen in cats from time to time and is often related to the litter tray ‘set up’. Some factors to consider would be the following: • Is the tray big enough? Some larger cats cannot go to the toilet comfortably in smaller trays and end up ‘hanging over the edge’ or going outside of the tray. Therefore a larger, deeper-sided tray is often necessary • Are the sides of the tray too high? Perhaps your cat cannot climb comfortably into the tray. This can occur with older or arthritic cats; hence the importance of a veterinary examination • Is your cat happy with the litter substrate?

Changing the litter type may encourage your cat to urinate/defecate in the tray. Ensure the litter is deep enough for your cat to dig in i.e. two to three inches • Is the tray cleaned frequently? Some cats are very fastidious and will only toilet in areas that are scrupulously clean • Is the tray located in a quiet accessible location?

Your cat should be able to climb fully into the tray without threat Your current solution certainly sounds ingenious!

Another idea would be to invest in an enclosed or ‘hooded’ litter tray. If happy to venture in, it is then usually impossible for a cat to toilet outside of the tray and will keep any mess contained.

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Forget the Wild Man of Borneo...

From: Helen Balcome, Luton, Beds volunteer for Cats Protection’s Luton, Dunstable & District Branch. On a recent trip to Borneo, my husband and I had a two-night stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Early one evening we were taking a walk along the lively shopping area of Bukit Bintang when we came across a local man who has, to date, taken in and cared for a total of 72 stray and abandoned cats within the city. He feeds and cares for them until he is able to find new homes for them. All of the cats appeared to be well fed and in good condition and totally at home with strangers, which is so rare in many parts of the world. He is fairly well known locally as ‘the cat man’ and proudly displays to the public all of the rescue and rehoming publicity he has received. The heat and humidity throughout the day means most of the cats were quite content to do what they like best – snoozing. We gave the man a donation to carry on feeding them which was very gratefully received, took a photo of this unusual scene and then carried on with our walk. As an avid cat lover, this was the highlight of my time in Kuala Lumpur.

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The Cat Spring 2010

yourletters ✪ STAR LETTER

If your cat loses its voice, take it seriously From: Liz and Barry Neild, via email e would like to alert all cat lovers of the dangers of underestimating what could be the cause of a cat losing its voice. As with most warnings, this one is the result of a painful and shocking experience.

Our lovely cat, Charlie, died as a result of a squamous cell carcinoma in her throat. By the time the vets started to take her symptoms seriously, the tumour was almost entirely blocking her throat, necessitating a tracheostomy during surgery. Despite the life-saving operation being a clinical success, Charlie died two days later – fortunately at home, although unwell and confused.

Charlie lost her voice just after Christmas 2008, but was otherwise fit and well and happy as always. The vet literally shrugged her shoulders and said she didn’t know what to suggest. When we asked what more we could do, she said we could ask for her to be referred “if we wanted to”. Not wanting to stress her unnecessarily, particularly as she was nearly 14 years old, we took her home with a course of antibiotics. Over the next month or so she became wheezy so we returned to the vet, only to be given the same inconclusive response and more antibiotics. In early May she started to experience difficulty breathing so we pushed for an emergency referral and she was admitted for tests under general anaesthetic.

Given Charlie’s apparently healthy state, we were horrified to learn the outcome of the investigation and resulting emergency surgery. We have since researched the condition that caused her death and found that squamous cell carcinoma is relatively common in cats, so are bewildered by the vet’s lack of any relevant diagnosis.

The saddest thing is that Charlie was so brave, but was so badly let down by the professionals. If she had made a fuss she might have been taken seriously. So if your cat shows any signs of losing its voice or having any trouble breathing, please make a fuss on their behalf and don’t let your cat’s pride mask a potentially fatal condition.

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In memory of Charlie and her sister Chester with whom she is now reunited.

Vet’s note: We are so sorry to hear of the sad loss of Charlie and can appreciate how devastated you are. It is very difficult for us to make any comments regarding Charlie’s specific condition as we were not in a position to examine her or access her medical history. We would recommend that you speak to the vet who took care of her and express your concerns over her diagnosis and treatment as they should be able to give you more information on their specific care of Charlie. We would always recommend that owners be guided by their vet, who will look at the individual situation and give the options available for diagnosis and treatment of the condition, according to their professional opinion. We agree that it is important to make sure that owners’ concerns are voiced to the vet, particularly if you are worried about the treatment or diagnosis of your cat or if you feel that the cat doesn’t seem to be improving.

There are a number of conditions that may cause a cat’s voice to change, including viral and bacterial infections.

Squamous cell carcinomas are one of the more serious possibilities; a definite diagnosis would involve a general anaesthetic and biopsy of the area. This is an invasive procedure and would generally only be recommended on the professional judgement of the attending vet when considering which tests and treatment would be in the individual cat’s best interest. Neither the anaesthetic, nor the biopsy are without risk, particularly in elderly cats and more especially if there are potential breathing problems and such considerations will always be considered when assessing the most appropriate way to manage a case. The vet will consider the risks of the procedure to avoid the equally tragic situation when a cat undergoes anaesthesia and tests for a disorder that proves to be minor, but sadly complications occur.

Thank you again for warning us about Charlie’s condition and please accept our sincere condolences for your loss.

Cat calling

From: Dr Georges Wares, Redland, Bristol e had been rather worried by finding one of our cats sitting on the doormat outside the front door waiting for someone to let them in; it is a busy main road. Of course they have a perfectly good cat flap on the garden side of the house, but you know how fussy cats can be. There must be many people who, for one reason or another, have no cat flap and who have similar problems to us.

There is an easy solution. There are alarms designed to signal someone passing up the driveway or approaching the front door and these can be sensitive enough to detect a cat.

The picture shows our detector fitted to the roof of the front door porch, but it could be equally well fastened to the wall close to floor level. When activated the receiver, which can be anywhere in the house, issues a ‘ding-dong’ sound and we then know someone, or our cat, is at the door. The devices are not expensive and no wiring is required. They seem to last well.

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The Cat Spring 2010

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Cat-alytic converter

From: Tracy Knapman, Balloch, Dunbartonshire have a four-year-old cat from Cats Protection called Snowy, who I have had since he was eight weeks old. At Christmas, Snowy got stuck in the engine block under my car and it took a 999 call – only having checked first that this was the type of call the Fire Service would attend – plus three firefighters and two vets to extract him.

The only reason I noticed Snowy was that, by chance, I had to pop the bonnet to top up my screen wash and heard him crying.

He was jammed on top of an engine plate and stuck behind brake pipes; all you could see was a white, oily paw hanging down from the engine, along with a frightened oily face. I was mortified when a huge fire engine arrived, but my seven-yearold nephew was delighted – it made his Christmas! After two hours, the firefighters said that to extract him they might have to break his leg – I was horrified. Snowy was only carefully extracted after the vets injected a muscle relaxant into his thigh so that he could be pulled out. He was then taken away caked in engine oil, hospitalised for shock and hypothermia, put in an incubator and given reversal drugs to remove the muscle relaxant.

Tracy with Snowy

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Snowy is now on the road to recovery after being grounded for Christmas. My nephew and I took a crate of beer up to the firefighters the next day as a thank you! We call Snowy my ‘ASBO cat’ as he has got me into so much trouble with friends and neighbours. Snowy really is a cat that has used up one of his nine lives but how tragically different it could have been if I had simply driven the car away without noticing him.

Our Star Letter wins a fantastic Willow’s Hi Rise Sleeper Cat Bed made from natural banana leaf. It comes complete with cotton cushion and will give your cat a cocoon of cosiness in which to snooze the day away!

All other printed letters will win one of these Willow’s Bags of Fun sets of toys which should keep your moggy amused for hours.

Our thanks to Pets at Home for kindly donating these prizes; visit www.petsathome.com to see their full range of products or telephone 08701 943 600 for more information.

Pets at Home is the UK’s leading pet care retailer, offering 1000s of dedicated pet products, as well as advice and support on all aspects of pet care from our highly trained store teams. From specialist pet food to toys and training aids, there is everything a pet owner could wish for and more.

There are over 250 Pets at Home stores across the UK. To find your nearest store and for further information log onto www.petsathome.com or call our customer services team on 0800 328 4204 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm).

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The Cat Spring 2010

A little surprise

From: Jane Dingwall, South Ockendon, Essex thought I’d let you know about my adopted cats Suki and her daughter Jazz, who occasionally wake me up in the night to let me know what gifts they have dragged through the cat flap. They always miaow loudly and scratch the kitchen door until I go downstairs.

A few nights ago when I opened the kitchen door, there they were with a gift for me, which at first glance I thought ‘that’s a funny looking, larger than normal mouse and oh what strange legs and ears’.

Suki then tapped the odd looking creature with her paw and to my horror two wings appeared – yes, I froze – it was a bat! I grabbed a plastic box and placed it over the bat as quickly as I could and then a lid underneath. I took it to the front door to release it back to the wild – it flew off looking unhurt. I hope they don’t ever catch such a thing as that again!

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Many children regard their cat as their best friend and it is through this friendship that important lessons are learned; trust, empathy, care and love.

Recent studies have shown that owning a cat can do wonders for a child’s self esteem, social skills and sense of responsibility to others. Cats are great for playing and cuddles too!

For details of cats in your area needing loving homes, please phone 03000 12 12 12 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or visit www.cats.org.uk Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

At any one time, we have 7,000 cats and kittens in our care. Sadly, for every cat we help there are many more that we cannot. Please help us create another happy ending by giving a good home to one of our cats.

Cats’ tales Funny, weird, or just plain photogenic; this is the place to show off your cat for the remarkable creature he is. If you think you’ve got a cat who deserves his 15 minutes of fame then write to us, at Cats’ Tales, The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT or email editorial@cats.org.uk including a photo of at least 500kb in size. If you would like your photos returned, please enclose a selfaddressed envelope. Your letters may be edited for clarity and length.

hh I didn’t pick my cat, j she picked me From: Paulene Grant, Edinburgh, Scotland It wasn’t that I disliked cats, but I would never call myself a cat person. Then one day I noticed my neighbour’s black-and-white cat sitting in the middle of the road – she’d lived here for five years but had gone unnoticed until then. She started coming into my garden, then into the house, then onto my lap, then having an afternoon nap in the spare bedroom! I found out her name was Sassy and we became good friends. Then, out of the blue, a ‘for sale’ sign went up in her garden! On the day she moved out I put her in her cat box and we said our goodbyes. I missed her so much but thankfully she still lived locally and 10 days later she reappeared in the garden. Over the next year she slowly wormed her way into our lives more and more. Her visits became more frequent and the duration longer, then she started ‘knocking’ at the front door during the night to get in and curl up beside me. It was agreed with her owner that I could start feeding her and she would then become mine. That was almost two years ago and I’m still learning about cats, their ways and their mannerisms and I think I’ve got a long way to go yet!

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The Cat Spring 2010

jjMuggle moggies From: Claire Beckett, Weymouth, Dorset Dobby – ginger – and Harry – black – are the best of enemies and best of friends! Dobby likes to exert his authority, we’ve had him since he was a kitten but Harry turned up one Good Friday three years ago and stayed. They love to play fight by chasing each other up the stairs and rolling round in a big ball together. Then the next minute they are either cuddled up asleep side by side, or getting up to mischief like in this picture when they got on top of our gazebo last summer in the rain! They certainly love to hate each other.

readers’cats gg Little pink riding hood From: Janet Tuck, South Croydon, Surrey Following on from my eldest daughter volunteering alongside a Croydon Fosterer as part of her Baden Powell Award for Girl Guides, I decided to help out by becoming a Fosterer as well. My first group of kittens included a young female called Molly. She was found in a warehouse by some workers. At first thought to be the runt of the litter and very nervous of people, she has become accustomed to being around us and likes our company very much. Here is a sleepy Molly with my youngest daughter, taken while she was doing some homework.

iiOscar has no beef j with burgers!

From: Andrew Worsley, Hucclecote, Gloucester Oscar is 12 years old. He is constantly hungry and always first at the food bowls – we have two other male cats called Rory and Smokey. He is particularly fond of tuna and beef. This picture shows him enjoying a burger!

Don’t forget, Cats’ Tales is sponsored by Felix so, if your cat gets onto this page, you’ll receive a month’s supply of delicious Felix pouches from the As Good As It Looks range*. Your furry friend will find it irresistible at every mealtime.

Felix As Good As It Looks is available in eight flavours, you will find them at your local supermarket or pet store. For more information log onto www.catslikefelix.co.uk *please note that pouches can only be delivered to a UK address. Winners’ details will be passed onto the external suppliers for products to be posted direct.

Sponsored by

The Cat Spring 2010

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iiStan the man From: Rona Hooper, Invergordon, Scotland We picked Stanley from a local animal rescue shelter. He was in the first pen as we walked through the door and to say he put on a show for us is an understatement! When we walked in he started to climb up the cage and did a very good impression of a meerkat, sitting on his hind legs with front paws in the air and had the loudest miaow of a wee cat I’d ever heard! Stanley is now five and is liking more and more fuss; he still won’t sit on anyone’s lap apart from my Dad’s – he often joins us while we are watching TV and Dog Whisperer is one of his favourites! I’ve never seen a cat watch TV before but he will sit and watch for ages. He especially loves to sit on any kind of paper – the kids have learned not to draw or colour in on the floor as he will sit right in the middle of whatever they are doing! He also loves nothing better than to drink out of our neighbour’s bird bath and is well known in the area for letting himself in through open windows for a wander.

All in all Stanley or ‘Stan the man’ is a wonderful addition to our family and we would be lost without him.

gg Claws off!

From: Barbara Kirk, via email My cousin, Douglas Hogarth, recently took a photo of his friends complete with cats on laps. He then took one more picture, just for luck and, at that very moment, one of the cats put his claw where he shouldn’t have done and the gentleman screamed and threw the cat in the air – to no harm! See the hilarious before and after shots!

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The Cat Spring 2010

triedandtested

Tried

& tested…

Want to give your cat a fun and safe treat? We gathered a team of four cats to put catnip toys to the test...

catnip toys Organic Catnip Cupcake Cat Toy

Moggy Mobile Cat Toy

Such a cute and tasty smelling plaything is a perfect gift for a feline deserving of a treat! This toy is a kitsch fashionable style and at 3½ inches in size, is perfect to take on a trip too. Best of all, the soft felt fabric is refillable and sealable by a VelcroTM flap, so can be used time and time again! The cupcake toy, along with many other catnip toys and feline accessories is available from Kitty Cat Boutique www.kittycatboutique.co.uk priced at £4.99.

George’s verdict: Definitely a hit!

Handle Dangles This very fun looking toy comes in a mouse or spider design – each with long dangly legs for your cat to reach out to. It is filled with Feeline Groovy Organic Catnip and has a handle strap to allow easy operation and also a rubber sucker to allow it to be fixed to a window or door. The size of the toy proves it to be good value for money and the jingling bells in the feet of the toy will drive your cat crazy! The Handle Dangles can be purchased from Pet Planet for £4.99 at www.petplanet.co.uk Charlie’s verdict: I love pawing at the dangly legs!

The five soft and brightly-coloured bird and mice toys that make up this mobile are sure to be a big hit with pets. The easy-snap fastener allows the toy to be hung anywhere in the home. Beryl’s eyes glazed over with glee when introduced to this toy, she was so excited she started rolling around in the toys!

The Moggy Mobile Cat Toy is available to order from MedicAnimal at www.medicanimal.com online or by phoning 0203 058 0500. Priced at £7.98.

Beryl’s verdict: It’s like having five toys in one!

Homemade catnip sock This is the cheapest option perfect for owners watching the pennies as it only costs you the price of the catnip. The Monster catnip we used was bought from a CP shop, priced at £1.56 for a small bag – available from most pet stores. You can fill an old, unused sock – minus holes! – and so the toy is refillable and reusable. This provides the added advantage of being able to choose any catnip insert you like – organic or varying strengths of catnip, for example. Just pop the catnip inside the sock then tie it at the end and give to your cat to play away!

Mo’s verdict: Who’d have thought an old sock could smell so sweet!

The Cat Spring 2010

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celebrityinterview

Alexei Sayle QUESTION Can you tell us a little about your first cat?

ANSWER We were living in North Kensington and got mice so we asked around for a cat and got this ginger tom. My best friend suggested we call him Archie and I didn’t realise at first, but it was because he’d called all his pets Archie when he was a kid! We actually got rehoused by the Council so we gave him to my mum where he lived a very happy life in Liverpool.

QUESTION What are you working on at the moment?

ANSWER It’s a memoir about my early years in Liverpool. My dad worked on the railways and he was a Communist so we got free rail travel and used to spend our summers in Eastern Europe. It was a very odd experience being a working class Liverpool family spending our summers being fêted in Eastern Europe. It’s also about radical politics in the fifties and sixties so it’s less about me and more about the age reflected through my own experiences.

QUESTION You’ve starred in numerous television shows, had several books published and a top 20 hit among other things, but what has been your proudest achievement and why?

ANSWER I think my work as an author really, particularly my two short story collections. To work in literary fiction is a much more intellectual pursuit. Once you’ve hit the heights of being a popular entertainer, what you do next is as great a challenge as getting there in the first place. So finding a second act for myself is also an achievement.

Photo: John Falzon

QUESTION What is the funniest thing that any of your cats have got up to?

ANSWER There’s a whole sketch based on our cat, Dexter.

When David Renwick and Andy Marshall who wrote Stuff with me were at my house, he was often around and worked his way into a number of sketches – notably the Bishop Sketch.

While we were writing one day, Dexter woke up and walked to the window and sat staring at it, so I said “Do you want to go out?” Then he turned and walked back to his basket, but a few minutes later the whole thing would start again. It was so funny and all that David and Andy needed to do was to change a cat to a bishop which was brilliant.

QUESTION You once said that you identify with the cat in George Orwell’s Animal Farm; can you tell us why?

ANSWER Obviously Animal Farm is an allegory, but it conjures up the feeling paranoids have that the books they are reading are actually about them, because it is about my family in a sense. It’s about the Soviet Union which is what we believed in. The book is about the corruption and terrible cruelty of the Soviet Union and I was becoming aware that it was all true so I looked for a character I could identify with.

Every animal represents somebody and the cat is what Marx called the ‘lumpen proletariat’, the criminal classes.

I identify with the cat because, even though she joins in the revolution at the last minute, she looks after herself and I made the decision then that I would always be left wing but I would always also look after myself. Orwell cleverly chose the

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The Cat Spring 2010

Comedian turned author Alexei Sayle talks to Tom Briggs about cats and Communism

cat as they are self interested, but they’re prepared to give something back so there’s a symbiotic relationship.

QUESTION What do you find most interesting about cats?

ANSWER There’s a short story in my second collection which is about a cat and is based on Dexter. It’s partly about having another heartbeat around the house and their self-possession and they’re very beautiful. I think it’s a human impulse to have a relationship with other animals and to have a link to what we were before we discovered self-consciousness.

QUESTION You attended art school before becoming an entertainer. What made you decide to be a comedian?

ANSWER Art school gives you a kind of attitude and interest in life. Certainly with musicians there’s always a strong art school presence – John Lennon, Ian Dury, Blur – so I was doing that thing of not doing art but taking that art school sensibility into something else and I wanted to be in entertainment without carrying a set of drums up some stairs!

Doing stand up was a much more mobile way to do that – it seemed like a Viet Cong way of being an entertainer.

QUESTION What do cats give us that other animals can’t?

ANSWER Well, an elephant won’t catch mice! The reason for that original symbiosis was that they guarded grain stores so it was a working relationship first but beyond that they are very intelligent and have become good companions and I don’t think it’s just anthropomorphism to say that they have very diverse characters. You obviously do sometimes think “Oh, he’s thinking about Panorama last night,” but he isn’t really!

You can follow Alexei’s progress with his memoir on www.alexeisayle.me. His five books including his most recent work, Mister Roberts, are published by Hodder www.hodder.co.uk

We’re going

shopping w credit card!

Get online… for our great ne

Now you can help cats when you hit the shops, thanks to the new Cats Protection Credit Card from MBNA. You’ll receive a competitive rate on purchases and you can even manage your account online.

Even better, once your card has been approved and used, Cats Protection will receive a contribution of £20 from the issuer, MBNA Europe Bank Limited, and the cats in our care will continue to benefit as 0.25% is contributed from every retail purchase thereafter at no extra cost to you.

For more information and full details please visit:

www.cats.org.uk/creditcard

0% p.a.

on balance transfers (3% handling fee) for 12 months and on card purchases for 3 months from the date your account is opened*

15.9% APR

typical rate (variable)

* If you do not pay your balance in full we will use your payments to lower rate balances

before higher rate balances. If promotional rate balances are the same we will repay them in the following order: first, the one with the earliest expiry date; if the expiry dates are the same then the one which started first; if the expiry dates, and start dates are the same then the one with the lowest standard rate.

The Cats Protection Credit Card is issued by MBNA Europe Bank Limited, Registered office: Stansfield House, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QQ. Registered in England number 2783251. Credit is available, subject to status, only to UK residents aged 18 or over. You cannot transfer balances from another MBNA account. We will monitor or record some phone calls. MBNA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

News Catnapping success

Animal welfare at the top of the agenda

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Is the modern world too stressful for our cats? That was the question raised during national Cat Welfare Week which ran from 23-29 November 2009. Organised by Cats Protection and CEVA, manufacturer of feline behaviour product, Feliway, Cat Welfare Week was dedicated to raising awareness of stress and behavioural issues in cats.

To remind owners of the importance of reducing stress, Cat Welfare Week was marked by the UK’s biggest catnap in the Old Spitalfields Market, east London on 23 November. Catnappers wore specially designed eye masks to help them get their 40 winks – we’re not sure how much napping took place but a lot of fun was had by all!

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In December the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched new animal welfare codes with practical advice for pet owners on how best to look after their pets’ health and wellbeing, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Three separate codes of practice have been written for the welfare of cats, dogs and horses.

The code of practice for the welfare of cats covers the need for a suitable environment, diet, behaviour, housing with other animals and health. They can be used in courts as evidence in cases brought before them relating to poor welfare – the codes apply to England only.

From frozen feet to toasty toes!

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The Cat Spring 2010

What a capital idea!

Photo: Sue Dobbs

Bridgend Adoption Centre is holding a sponsored firewalk on 27 March 2010 and would love you to join in!

Learn from experts how to safely walk across a 20-foot bed of red-hot wooden coals. Every step you take you will be generating funds for Cats Protection in what is possibly the shortest sponsored walk in the world!

There will also be stalls, food and drink, bric-a-brac and a tombola from 4pm followed by the firewalk registration and training from 6pm. Bring your friends, family and sponsors to cheer you along! You can find out more about the firewalk, download registration forms and watch videos of previous events at www.t4c.org.uk/cp and sponsor at www.justgiving.com/teambridgend For further information, please contact Bridgend Adoption Centre Manager Sue Dobbs on 01656 724 396 or bridgend@cats.org.uk.

Meanwhile, Sue put her family to work during the recent snowy weather. The result was a fantastic bit of advertising and actually made it onto the BBC Wales website.

It took three hours but it was definitely well-spent – congratulations to the Dobbs family for their sterling efforts for Cats Protection!

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The Cats Protection fundraising team has come up with a novel idea to raise money that will allow you to take a moonlit stroll along the Thames taking in such tourist attractions as the Houses of Parliament the London Eye and Tower Bridge to name but a few.

Our Midnight Prowl is a sponsored walk of either five or 10 kilometres starting at midnight on Saturday 12 June and finishing in the early hours of the Sunday morning. So if you fancy seeing London in the beauty of the night, get in touch with the Fundraising Team on 01825 741 980 or email fundraising@cats.org.uk

news

Strewth, what a larrikin mog!

Carbon Monoxide warning

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UK pet owners have been warned about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes. Fur and hair can clog up vents, flues and gas fire filters, leading to the release of dangerous CO gas.

Nigel Dumbrell, Manager of The Corgi Trust, the UK’s leading gas safety charity, commented: “Engineer reports from a recent Trust study highlighted the potential danger of pet hair blocking gas fires, which could lead to a release of the highly toxic carbon monoxide gas. We recommend that gas appliances are checked every year and, as a nation of pet lovers with almost one in two households potentially owning a cat or dog, we urge pet owners to follow this advice. Known as the silent killer, CO is odourless and colourless, so pets would be susceptible to its effects too, particularly as they can be in such close proximity to the source,” added Dumbrell. “Fitting an audible CO detector near to the gas appliance is another way to reduce the likelihood of pets and their owners being affected.”

Remember if you live in Great Britain, always check that the installer holds a valid gas safe register card. The Gas Safe Register runs the mandatory gas registration scheme for plumbing and heating engineers working legally with gas in England, Scotland, Wales and Isle of Man. If you are not sure whether your gas engineer is registered with Gas Safe Register please phone 0800 408 5500.

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Published on 26 January – Australia Day – Australian PM, Kevin Rudd has written a children’s book about his family pets.

Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle follows the adventures of Rudd’s dog, Abby, and cat, Jasper, causing havoc in the grounds of his family’s official residence.

Australian children’s television presenter Rhys Muldoon and illustrator Carla Zapel worked on the title with the Prime Minister.

“It has not been the most demanding text I have worked on,” says Rudd. “I’ve worked on the text with Rhys and we’ve both interviewed the cat and the dog. They have been very co-operative in their responses but, for most of the time, have gone off the record.”

Proceeds from the sale of Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day are going to a children’s charity.

Of cats and casks

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Star paws

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Photo: EDO

A pub in London’s East End recently held a real ale festival with a difference – a fine selection of brews named after moggies!

The Nag’s Head in Walthamstow decided to run the four-day event after it became a popular meeting place for the local cats. “Our locals’ cats seemed to start following them over and that’s how we became a cat-friendly pub,” explains Landlady, Flossie Parsons. “We had already decided to have a festival and our brewery representative said we could have a theme so we thought it had to be cats!”

Not only was there a bevy of, well, bevvies including Wags to Witches , Cheshire Cat and Manx Bitte r on offer, but the pub was also treated to a cat-themed makeover. There were paintings of cats by local artists on display along with decorations and custom-made T-shirts for bar staff and the pub sign also now boasts images of four local felines.

There was even a beer specially brewed for the event. The Itinerant is named after one of the pub’s four-legged regulars, Tetley, thanks to the way he frequently wanders down to his local!

5,500 light years away from Earth is the Cat’s Paw Nebula in the heart of the Milky Way galaxy and stunning new images have been taken by the European Southern Observatory from an observatory in Chile.

The Cat’s Paw nebula is one of the most active nurseries of massive stars in our galaxy and has been extensively studied by astronomers. The nebula conceals freshly minted brilliant blue stars — each nearly 10 times the mass of our sun and born in the last few million years.

The region is also home to many baby stars that are buried deep in the dust, making them difficult to study. In total, the Cat’s Paw Nebula could contain several tens of thousands of stars. The nebula appears red because its blue and green light are scattered and absorbed more efficiently by material between the nebula and Earth.

The red light comes predominantly from hydrogen gas glowing under the intense glare of hot young stars.

The Cat online

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The Cat SPRING 2009

We are now able to provide examples of The Cat Evolutionary magazine online to potential new subscribers. excellence This is a digital version that allows the reader to flip Feline good through the magazine sampling the articles, features and reader contributions. The Spring 2009 issue is Picture Plus perfect now available and we will soon be adding the rest of last year’s editions. Simply go to our ‘About The Cat ’ tab on the magazine’s website www.thecat.org.uk.

So if you want to spread the word about just how great the magazine is, get your friends online to see for themselves!

From prehistoric predator to modern moggy

Photo: Tom Briggs

Can a cat a day keep the doctor away?

Mogs with jobs,

See the winning entries from our photo contest

living the good life & tasty treats tested

WIN! Over 30 great prizes including food for puss and books for you

Fur-kin: pub cat, Billie, guards the beers!

The Cat Spring 2010

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First class felines

Photo: istockphoto.com/Joe Tamassy

In the first of a two-part article Francesca Watson investigates the cats who have made tracks for Britain’s railway stations

‘You ought to admit that it’s very nice To know that you won’t be bothered by mice – You can leave all that to the Railway Cat, The Cat of the Railway Train!’

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The Cat Spring 2010

feature

T

S Eliot immortalised the importance of a railway cat in Skimbleshanks in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and, since the first locomotive took to Britain’s rails in 1825, their journeys have been forever intertwined.

Whether it is a heritage railway or part of Britain’s public network of stations, cats have made their presence felt in the loco sheds, ticket offices and signal boxes. From Inverness to Launceston, Paddington to Pulborough and Grosmont to Loughborough there are tales of felines, past and present, who make things just that little bit more pleasant for workers and passengers alike.

Cats of the railway, we salute you!

Watch out there’s a Vandal about

Photo: Tom Briggs

Kipper tie?

Photo: Francesca Watson

Stuart Mather, a signalman for Network Rail remembers Kipper, a big ginger tom with “a lovely white chest” from Rochdale signal box, with great affection: “Kipper was only a kitten when he arrived at the signal box in 1987 having been found on the level crossing at Shaw station. He earned his keep by controlling the rodent population,” says Stuart. “I kept cat food in the boot of my car to give to Kipper and if any staff were to work at Rochdale, I’d ask them to take the food, I even had managers delivering it!” At one point Kipper was moved with one of the signalmen a few miles down the line but soon made it clear that he wanted to be back at Rochdale. An empty passenger train was stopped and Kipper was put on board and dropped off back home. Unfortunately Kipper became ill and died in November 2008. Stuart wryly adds, “It was only after Kipper died that mice started appearing at the Rochdale signal box. It was now safe for them to come out.” It seems that Kipper was the last signal box cat in that area, but Stuart also remembers Marmalade at Brewery, Nelson at Baguley Fold, Amoss at Ashton Moss North and Selwyn at Diggle.

Trent station in Derbyshire, which closed in 1968, saw the return of troops from Dunkirk in 1940. Apparently they brought back a tom cat from the beaches, which was adopted by

the lady who ran the refreshments room. One of the junior porters, John Townsend, adopted a kitten sired by this war-weary moggy.

Tonbridge station in Kent is a busy commuter station serving London and the south-east coast. It was also the home of two beloved cats who turned up one day and decided to stay. Peter Ashdown remembers Jill and Louis well. Now an Operations Inspector, Peter was then Assistant Manager: “They spent their time moving between their two station homes; the staff mess room and the shunter’s lobby and were looked after very well by all the staff. The mess room had a cat flap in its door while the shunter’s lobby top window was always left open for them.“ When Jill had kittens they were adopted by the staff members. When they died, the station erected two plaques in their memory.

There are four cats who reside at Manchester’s Oxford Road station; Tom, Jerry, Manx and Jumper, but it is only Jumper who deigns to mix with the passengers. Leaving her brothers behind, Jumper charms the thousands of passengers who pass through the station each day. She does not like being picked up but does allow people to stroke her.

Staff put up a notice inviting donations of cat food and Station Supervisor, Richard Burgess, reported, ”The response was phenomenal. We ended up with enough tins of cat food to feed all the cats in Manchester!

I have seen people put best chicken down for Jumper – and everybody remarks how well they all look.“ Despite this cosseting, Jumper still remembers her first duty is pest control. ”Jumper clears the pigeons and we don’t see any mice or rats, so they are doing a good job,” observed Richard.

Another literary feline can be seen at a number of stations all around the country – Jack the Station Cat . This character is the creation of the Reverend Alan Cliff, based on his own cat Jack – now sadly departed – and there are twelve books in the series aimed at children between the ages of three and nine. Alan has book signing sessions at a number of the heritage railway stations meeting Jack’s many fans. Some of the cats within Alan’s books are inspired by real-life station cats; one in particular resides just down the road from the National Cat Centre in Sussex at the Bluebell Railway.

Vandal creates havoc on rail line

One of the two plaques at Tunbridge station

The Bluebell Railway’s resident feline is Vandal. He comes across as a very self-assured cat who is confident in both his environment and the affection of all who know him. Ten years ago he arrived at the railway just two weeks after the sad demise of the previous incumbent, Lucky. It seems Vandal must have seen the job advertised!

The Cat Spring 2010

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His name derives from the chaos that would ensue wherever he went. The old station shop was a tad on the tiny side and whenever the cat would make his way through it he managed to wipe everything from the shelves. He is still keen on checking the shop tills and on one occasion was responsible for a till overcharge to the sum of £5,000!

Shop Manager Nikki Favell remembers her first meeting with Vandal. “He bit me twice,” she says with a smile, “but now he sits on my shoulder trying to get between me and the phone, he’s that friendly. I need to get some shoulder pads though as he has a habit of digging his claws in.” Vandal also recognises the sound of Nikki’s car as she arrives for work and races across the car park to greet her. There’s no doubt that the initial frosty reception is completely forgotten.

Nikki is often helped with her paperwork by Vandal who believes his main job is that of a paperweight. “He’d always manage to place himself right on the paperwork that needed my attention so I have come up with a strategy of creating fake piles of paper to distract him while I get my work done.”

Vandal is prone to multi-breakfasts as he manages to convince Nikki, the restaurant staff and visitors that he is absolutely starving. His favourite provider does tend to be the caterers and he has been known to partake of steak and kidney pie on occasion. For a while when he first arrived, he’d get two breakfasts from Nikki as he’d leave in one direction and then ‘arrive’ again from another, vocally complaining of hunger. As there was already a black cat on the railway premises – Rioja in the locomotive shed – Nikki thought that perhaps there were two cats visiting for food but soon she began to wise up to Vandal’s canny ploy.

Visitors to this Sussex railway delight in meeting Vandal – with the odd glimpse of Rioja – not to mention Oscar and Gizmo down the line at the next station in Horsted Keynes. So if you’re in the area drop in and say hello!

Some cats do not live on railway property but are still rail enthusiasts. During the tourist season, Percy from Scarborough regularly commutes on the miniature North Bay Railway from his home to the Sea Life Centre. Sneaking in behind customers he spends his day gazing at the penguins and the fish before taking the train back home.

Percy has been making his summertime journeys for five years now and is such a popular regular that he even has his own piece of carpet to lie on at the station.

A sad tale pertains to the Nene Valley Railway line.

Apparently there is a ghost cat called Snowy who wanders by the Yarwell Tunnel searching for his owner the station master who was killed by a train while out looking for his pet.

Loughborough legends At the Great Central Railway in Loughborough there are two cats who have made their mark; one in the station concourse, GC, and one in the engine sheds, Mogus. Unfortunately both have now left the station; GC is a narrow-boat cat while Mogus has departed for the great railway station in the sky but they are still both remembered with great affection.

One day GC – full name Grand Central or Ginger Cat – disembarked from a train, much to the surprise of the station staff. No one knew how he’d got on to the train or where he’d come from. GC investigated the station, wandered into Chairman Graham Oliver’s office, settled himself in the intray and went to sleep. GC had claimed his territory. Despite appeals in the press, no owner could be found so he duly became the official station cat.

Robin Jones, editor of Heritage Railway , wrote an article about GC back in 2000. He remembers a most exceptional cat: “GC displayed a better knowledge than some of the rail enthusiasts I knew. He could hop on the running board of a train, hold on at 25mph and then drop off to visit the signal box or return to the platform. He displayed an uncanny indepth comprehension of how the railways worked. He’d even report to the manager’s office when called over the tannoy!”

Artist Richard Piccaver, who has painted a series of railway cats, immortalised GC, painting him in pride of place in the stationmaster’s office.

Photo: Robin Jones

Illustration: Richard Piccaver

GC takes in the view

20 The Cat Spring 2010

Stationmaster GC of Loughborough by Richard Piccaver

Photo: Richard Piccaver

Cheese lover Mogus takes a break

After retirement GC was taken to live on the chairman’s narrow-boat where, by all accounts, he has had even more adventures! GC may have travelled far and wide on the Loughborough line but he would not pass the gated foot crossing beyond Platform 2, for there resided his great rival, Mogus, the loco shed cat.

Mogus arrived at Great Central Railway’s loco shed in the summer of 1996. Tom Tighe, the railway’s Locomotive Superintendent, took to the cat and the feeling was mutual. Mogus decided he liked the place, a cat flap was established in the mess room cabin door and he stayed for the next 13 years. Alex and Alan Pakes, volunteers with the railway, have very fond memories of this cat that came to mean so much to so many.

“Shortly after Mogus had arrived it was decided that he would need a worming pill. It took three burly blokes with welding mitts and leather aprons to administer said pill. The cat was a big ball of angry fur and his sartorial elegance suitably dented,” Alex remembers.

“Mogus was cared for by a lot of uncles as every member of staff here would ask after him every day. He was bought treats and special care was taken on Christmas day with a journey made with turkey and giblets to keep him happy. He would often get Tom’s cereal milk to drink or would pinch your cheese as he loved it.”

Mogus’ forté in pest control was pigeons but when he realised food came from a tin the bird population inevitably rose. Ultimately a vet visit diagnosed liver and kidney problems and Mogus retired to the Pakes’ house. Here Mogus had a clean bed, fuss and trips round the garden. Mogus had day release back to the shed but sadly took ill and had to be put to sleep soon afterwards. Alex reports that Mogus was cremated. “We are still trying to make up our minds as to what we do with his casket,” she says. “The railway standard disposal method is going in the firebox over Swithland viaduct but we may choose a quiet spot at the shed.” However Mogus is ultimately honoured, he will long be remembered at Great Central’s railway sheds and far beyond.

Capital cats John Schlesinger may be better known for directing films such as Billy Liar and Marathon Man but one of his early efforts was for British Transport and showed 24 hours in the life of Waterloo station.

Terminus is an acclaimed film by rail enthusiasts showing a time gone by but also features the Waterloo signal box cat. The mother of Janice Ross, one of our readers, remembers seeing the Waterloo cat asleep

on a blanket by the toilets.

Janice also recalls Tiddles, the Paddington station ladies’ loo assistant. “When I was going to university in Exeter in the early 1970s, there was the Paddington cat.” Janice says. “He lived in the ladies’ toilet in a lovely big basket under the attendant’s desk. There was a placard on the desk, giving his history and asking for any spare change towards his food.

There was always quite a bit of money in the pot! Apparently he had wandered into the station as a kitten one cold winter’s evening and ran down the stairs to the ladies’ toilet. The station master gave his permission for him to stay in return for a little light mousing!”

Another reader, Muriel Salter, also remembers the portly feline: “Whenever I travelled from Paddington I always made a point of visiting the ladies’ loo on Platform 1. Tiddles lounged majestically in a large comfy basket enjoying all the attention lavished upon him by admiring ladies.’ Muriel adds: ‘Occasionally he would exert himself to climb the stairs and take a waddle down the platform.’

Reader Karen Tyrell remembers a cat that lived at Tower Hill underground station in London some years ago: “I had the pleasure of travelling through just after she’d had kitties and the staff was busy ‘wrangling’ them all, although I understand they had homes for them all to go to when ready.”

When faced with a long journey or a dull commute, the sight of a serene platform puss is enough to bring a smile to even the most weary traveller’s face. So when you’re standing on the platform waiting for the 11.39 to come down the line, keep an eye out for a railway cat, it’ll brighten up your day.

The response to this subject has been overwhelming and although I have tried to acknowledge all the rail cats, past and present, which I’ve been informed of, I know there are many more out there patrolling the lines keeping our railways pest free.

This article would not have been possible without the invaluable help and assistance of Robin Jones, Alan Cliff and Richard Piccaver who put me in touch with so many cat-friendly rail staff out there. Grateful thanks are also due to The Cat’s highly esteemed readers who wrote in with their own rail cat experiences. I hope you enjoy part two in the Summer edition.

The Cat Spring 2010

21

Just what the

doctor ordered

laire Millington of the Royal College of C Veterinary Surgeons investigates the sale and purchase of veterinary medicines

D

id you know that there are currently 430 different cat medicines specifically licensed for use in the UK? Are you familiar with the differences between the flea medicines on sale in the supermarket and the ones that vets sell – or that you can buy from a pharmacist? And are you aware that it’s illegal to try to buy certain veterinary medicines without a valid prescription? The rules for human medicines may be familiar; for your cat’s medicines though, a slightly different system applies.

“Selling veterinary medicines in the UK is strictly regulated – and for good reason,” explains Simon Hack, Head of Enforcement at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Simon and his team work with suppliers, trading standards and the police to make sure that animal medicines are bought and sold legally. “Not only are there environmental and foodsafety concerns, but you need to know that you have the right product for your pet – and that it has been properly manufactured and stored so that it will work,” says Simon.

Who can supply what, where and when?

Although their sales are carefully regulated, you do have some choice about where you can buy medicines. In an emergency, the fact that the right medicine is on hand at the veterinary surgery may outweigh any other consideration.

However, for routine flea and worming – or a cat that needs longer-term medication – there are other options.

“Who can supply medicines and whether or not they need a prescription, depends on the type of animals they are used to treat and the ingredients in the medicine,” explains Simon. “The majority of veterinary medicines do need to be prescribed by a vet; however, once you have the prescription, the medicine can legally be supplied by any vet or a pharmacist.” Although there is no substitute for taking your cat to the vet if you think he is sick, there are some medicines

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that can be supplied, without a prescription, by a vet, pharmacist or suitably qualified person, as Simon explains.

“These are really limited to some tick and flea treatments though,” he says. “There are also some basic medicines, such as the type of flea treatments for cats that you see in the supermarket, which can be sold by anyone.”

For some ailments, there may not be a medicine licensed for cats, so your vet may decide that it would be appropriate to treat your pet with a medicine licensed for a different condition, or even a different animal species. If your vet considers this to be the case, you will be asked to sign a consent form and your vet should give you a clear indication of any potential side effects.

However, don’t use medicines you may have for different animals on your cat unless you’ve discussed this with your vet – some medicines that are fine for dogs and humans, for example, are poisonous and even lethal to cats.

How do you know if a medicine needs a prescription? “Ask any vet, listed or registered veterinary nurse, or pharmacist,” suggests Simon. “If you are still not sure, you can also look up the medicine directly on the VMD website.”* So, if the medicine needs a vet’s prescription, do you have to take your cat to the vet first? “Only vets should diagnose what is wrong with animals,” explains Gordon Hockey, Head of the Professional Conduct Department at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). “To be able to prescribe most medicines for an animal, a vet needs to see the animal so that they can make a clinical diagnosis. If a repeat prescription is necessary, the vet may need to see the animal again.”

Veterinary fees Veterinary fees are largely unregulated as, except for charity clinics, veterinary practices are businesses. Competition between practices is encouraged as it is in the interests of clients and their animals. “Ask your vet about fees in advance,” says Gordon. “If you have concerns, you can try to resolve them with your vet. If you think that the charges are excessively high or were not fully explained, you can also contact the RCVS and consider making a complaint.”

healthcheck

Photo: istockphotot.com/Mark Hatfield

The RCVS produces the Guide to Professional Conduct , a set of guidelines for veterinary surgeons that include both charging for prescriptions and communicating prices to clients. Although vets can charge for both consultations and writing prescriptions, they should not charge you more for the prescription if you buy the medicines elsewhere. Vets should also display a list of the ten most-commonly prescribed medicines at the practice and their prices.

If you think that you are being asked to pay too much for a prescription or medicine, discuss this with your vet. You can ask to have different medicines put on one prescription, or whether it is possible to have a repeat prescription – although the vet may need to see your cat again before prescribing further medication or indeed if there are any alternative treatments. Please don’t ask your vet to put medicines for different pets on the same prescription though – this is not allowed.

When buying prescription medicines, you have a choice between veterinary practices, pharmacies or websites. Comparing prices may be easy; however there are benefits and drawbacks to the different options.

If you buy from a veterinary practice or pharmacy, you are buying from a regulated supplier so can be sure that what you are getting has been properly manufactured and stored. Some medicines can stop working if, for example, air is allowed to get into them or they are used after the expiry date. If the practice is accredited under the Practice Standard Scheme, RCVS inspectors will have checked how medicines are stored. For more information see www.rcvs.org.uk/practicestandards.

Buying from a veterinary practice also means you are buying from qualified professionals who have the experience and who can advise on other health issues.

the scheme, so if there is no logo, you can check with the RPSGB whether a pharmacy is real. When you buy online, be very wary of any site that will sell you prescription-only veterinary medicines without seeing a prescription. If an online business is happy to do this, don’t trust them – and consider letting the VMD know. If you are buying a medicine which can only be supplied by a vet, pharmacist or suitably qualified person, you should be asked questions to make sure that what they are selling to you is correct. Similarly, if you buy medicines in the supermarket, make sure that you read the product information or label carefully before treating your pet – giving a cat medication intended for dogs, for example, can be fatal.

Finally, if you are thinking of ordering medicine from an overseas website, don’t; even if the country is within the European Union this counts as importing medicines and is illegal. “We need to make sure that the medicines you buy are safe and effective,” says Simon. “It can be inconvenient for a pet owner, however, the rules really are there to make sure that the medicines on sale are safe for your cat and yourself and that they work.” And remember, if you think your cat is sick, always call the vet.

Useful veterinary medicines information

Double check There are a number of UK websites, some of which are linked to veterinary practices and pharmacies, which sell veterinary medicines.

If the website says it is linked to a vet, you could check with the RCVS via www.findavet.org.uk or on 020 7222 2001 that the practice is genuine. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) runs a voluntary scheme that checks and accredits pharmacy websites which are then identified by a logo. Not all online pharmacies are in

National Office of Animal Health www.noahcompendium.co.uk www.pethealthinfo.org.uk Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons www.rcvs.org.uk *Veterinary Medicines Directorate www.vmd.gov.uk

Beyond the jargon If you look up veterinary medicines on the VMD or the National Office of Animal Health websites, you will see they are each assigned to a legal category. The ones that relate to medicines for cats are: The abbreviation

What it stands for

What it means to you

POM-V

Prescription-only medicine – veterinary surgeon

The medicine needs a prescription from a veterinary surgeon. If you have a prescription, you can buy the medicine from a vet or a pharmacist

POM-VPS

Prescription-only medicine – veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably qualified person

This medicine needs a veterinary prescription, which can be obtained from a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably-qualified person. If you have a prescription, you can buy the medicine from any one of these categories of individual. A suitably qualified person (SQP) is someone who has taken a qualification and is registered as an SQP

NFA-VPS

Non-food animal – veterinary, pharmacist or suitably qualified person

This medicine does not need a prescription. However you can only buy it from a vet, a pharmacist or an SQP. You may find these in pet shops

AVM-GSL

Authorised veterinary medicine – general sales list

This medicine can be sold without prescription by anyone. The flea medicines in the supermarkets are in this category. You need to take extra care reading the labels on these – treating a cat with flea treatment intended for a dog, for example, can be fatal

The Cat Spring 2010

23

Ali’scats

Paws and pongs lison Prince ponders the A proportion of her pets’ paws and their super sense of smell

W

hen I first saw Paddy in his pen he was seven months old and looked a bit scrawny – but it struck me that he had huge feet. That’s why I called him Paddy. Feet, paws, pads – you get the picture.

He had a good bit of growing to do, so I thought he’d turn out to be very large and his feet would then fit – but no such thing happened. He stayed a medium-sized cat, but with these whopping great paws. They’re very nice paws, soft and brown, with black stripes between the toes, but when he stretches one of them out, it’s like holding hands with a panther.

Fingal is the opposite. His feet are small, black and constantly busy like the rest of him. Unusually, his hind paws have claws that retract and if he’s on my lap I sometimes find my finger in the tight pincer grip of toes that should just be for walking. But then, Fingal doesn’t just walk.

I came in one night to find him looking down at me from the kitchen ceiling, having somehow got on the top of the high cupboards. A couple of days ago, there was a wild shaking of the clematis growing over the back fence because he had swarmed up it and was swaying around as though he thought he was a butterfly.

Furthermore, his small feet manage to pick up earth from the garden and transport it through the kitchen, up the stairs and into my office, to be deposited on my desk – and they are quite often sopping wet, so it’s mud rather than earth. Paddy would, I feel, carry an umbrella and wear galoshes if he could, but Fingal actually seems to like rain. He comes in literally dripping. There used to be a bit of chasing around with a towel at first, with water getting scattered everywhere, but he’s learned that getting dried off by me saves a lot of tongue-work, so he comes when called and submits to a rub-down.

Paddy regards this kind of thing as deeply eccentric. He likes his paws warm and dry. Perhaps because they never get wet if he can help it, they have a curious aroma. It isn’t the fullblown sweaty socks reek that would cause visitors to leave the room coughing and gasping – more a kind of eastern

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The Cat Spring 2010

bazaar perfume, musky and spicy. I find it rather pleasant now I’m used to it. He does wash his paws, quite assiduously, but the strange whiff is still there. I notice it most when he settles himself on my bed, with his paws rather close to my nose. Maybe it’s some kind of territory-marking thing that he uses to put pheromone paw prints all over his territory. It’s difficult for a non-cat to be sure, but I was sharply reminded of it when I came back from France recently.

I’d been over for a weekend, communing faithlessly with my daughter’s moggy, who looks very much like Fingal, only stockier. On return, I settled on the sofa with the cats to open the mail. After some huffiness about my truancy – despite the hugely indulged treatment they get from Julie next door – Fingal settled on my lap, then realised that there was something very wrong with the fleece jacket I was wearing.

He inspected it with great care, smelling it inch by inch. He stood up and set about rubbing his chin all over it. I then remembered seeing a film of a tiger rubbing his chin on a tree to mark it as his. The commentator had said big cats have scent glands under their chins for this purpose. I put my nose close to Fingal but could detect no scent, either from him or from the fleece, but he went on rubbing for quite some time, pausing occasionally to sniff and check. At last he seemed satisfied that he had expunged all traces of the Chanel Numero Chat acquired during my faithless trip, so he curled up and went to sleep. I can only suppose I must have come back reeking – in cat terms, that is – of Petit Thomas.

In Fingal’s view, this was not on. If I was going to go around smelling of cat, then it had to be the resident home cat, thank you very much, not some foreign interloper.

Paddy, oddly enough, didn’t seem to understand this performance at all. He appeared to be unaware of any evidence from my fleece that I’d been behaving like a tart and watched Fingal’s chin-rubbing performance with deep perplexity. Either he simply couldn’t smell any signs of othercatness, or the perfume of his own feet masked everything else. But I put the fleece in the washing machine the next day, mindful of that tiger and the tree.

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L ve cats arilyn Crowther explains how cats went from M undesirable to en vogue on Victorian valentine cards

H

‘With frisking air Miss Tabby tries The power of her gooseberry eyes’

earts, flowers and cupids were essential ingredients of the early valentine card, but not cats. They were latecomers to the scene and – with the exception of a devoted minority of adoring feline fanciers – cats were, at the time, regarded by many as scratchy antisocial animals given to howling and fighting all night.

So it comes as no surprise to find that they first appeared on the hand-coloured satirical and comic cards of the early 19th century, often intended to be highly offensive to the recipient. Although some were no doubt sent tongue in cheek, others were meant to settle old scores or choke off unwanted suitors.

To make matters worse, the unfortunate people who received these insults were required to pay the postage; some complained and a sympathetic Post Office obligingly refunded their money. With the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840, however, the rules were changed and the sender paid. Cards were expensive to buy and many early 19th century valentines were home-made using lace paper from the stationer and decorated by the sender with hand-drawn motifs of bows, hearts, wedding rings and the ‘true love knot’ – a never ending one.

These little messages of love were often sent by a young man to a girl in the same village when most cottage doors lacked a letter box – so the offering was tied to the door handle.

What a sour puss!

The cat was a popular target for comic valentine satire.

Here she is seen as a figure of fun, fussily dressed with an enormous hat. She glares at us from her ‘gooseberry eyes’ – gooseberries mean green for jealousy – and the verse warns that she will end up a ‘crusty old maid.’ Poor puss!

Early 19th century handcoloured satirical valentine drawn by Robert Cruikshank

26 The Cat Spring 2010

Hate mail: An early 19th century mobile card with a lever that rocks the head to and fro. Although St Valentine is not mentioned, this could well have arrived on 14 February. There were many who objected to paying for this kind of unsolicited mail

‘That Bedlam dress will ne’er disguise Your nature from discerning eyes, For plainly may be seen, through that, A selfish, sly and vicious Cat’

A sly old cat In a similar offering, a mean looking cat is seen wearing a fantastic and absurd looking headgear topped with a mouse. The verse refers to ‘that bedlam dress’ implying that only a lunatic would wear such a bizarre hairstyle. The entire headpiece is moveable and, by means of a small lever, can be made to nod backwards and forwards.

Puss is chosen Happily, in spite of common prejudice, puss moved on and some years later having made her way into the affections of children, became a favoured nursery pet.

Cats were to be seen featured alongside their young master or mistress on hand-coloured greetings cards. In an age when labour was relatively cheap, rows of young women and often children, applied

This early handcoloured valentine card was designed to send to children and reflects the growing acceptance of cats as nursery pets

culturecats Home sweet home By the 1870s, cats were a living symbol of hearth and home.

The sentimental charm of the Victorian and Edwardian eras were immortalised by cats as they played out their ‘human’ role on valentines and greetings cards everywhere. At last there were hearts, flowers, cupids – and cats!

A late 19th century valentine: The lace paper panel is fixed on with a folded paper spring and forms a 3D effect window for the cat to look through.

The floral background is heavily embossed.

Two small scraps have been added as a finishing touch

water colour paint to the cards using a stencil. Each worker handled a separate colour as the cards were passed along the line. However, hand-colouring was overtaken in the mid 1860s with the arrival of the fast new steam printing presses, able to churn out fancy goods in spectacular colours at a comparatively low cost. The greetings card market expanded rapidly, as did children’s picture books with many a lively feline adventure to be found within their pages.

Lace paper production increased with improved techniques and was commonly used on greetings cards generally; on the valentine it remained for several decades as a symbol of bridal chastity. As the years slipped by into the second half of the 19th century, the valentine became more elaborate with more lace, more embossing, more fine gilt dust sprinkled over intricately sculpted paper and, of course, plenty of ‘scraps’ – charming little vignette pictures printed in jewel-like colours. These were attached by tiny folded paper springs for a 3D ‘Scraps’: chromolithograph effect often with a verse or printed reliefs or ‘scraps’ declaration of love hidden featuring cats beneath, unseen yet right under the nose of Papa!

As the greetings manufacturers competed to catch the eye of the discerning buyer, exotic novelties appeared such as the perfumed envelope sachet and the elaborately silk fringed card, as well as pop-out and mechanical cards of every kind. The ‘cut-out’ card was particularly popular as it could be used to advantage for almost any theme.

So cats joined the fun and the flirtatious looking party cat seen here in her colourful outfit has a moveable fan fixed with a small metal rivet.

The Day of Love.

From a small, eight-page valentine gift booklet of the Edwardian era

Did St Valentine have a cat?

Cats were used everywhere to control vermin so it is more than likely that St Valentine had one or two resident cats at the cathedral in Terni – about 100 miles from Rome – where he was Bishop. In Britain cats were routinely used to protect the vast granaries of the Roman army.

When the Romans occupied Britain they celebrated their own festivals; 14 February marked the ‘Lupercalia’ – a Spring fertility ritual dedicated to Pan – the God that inspired the rebirth of Spring and the ‘nesting of birds’. The feasting, drinking, street processions, dancing and animal sacrifice were enjoyed by all including the local population. After the Romans withdrew in 407 AD the Christian Church took steps to suppress all pagan activities and the feast of Lupercalia was renamed in memory of Saint Valentine who, by coincidence, was martyred on 14 February 270 AD.

Cut-out: a novelty cardboard cut-out cat with moveable fan c.1900

The Cat Spring 2010

27

A day in the life of a cat behaviour counsellor

“...Let no cat put asunder”. Can a pet really ruin a relationship?

Vicky Halls investigates...

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ever before have human relationships been more complicated. The divorce rate is up, the marriage rate is down and many of us are choosing careers over families. The stresses of day-to-day life are at a peak and what we probably don’t need at the moment is another pressure threatening our domestic harmony.

In my role as a pet behaviour counsellor I am often privy to all the consequences of a cat’s emotional upset, many of which do not directly relate to the owner/cat relationship. Sadly what I see all too often is a family or couple in crisis and often – in their words – ‘on the brink of separation’ as a result of conflict in their attitude towards the cat-behavingbadly situation.

Worrying behaviour Ann and James were a typical example. Ann contacted me a few months ago having been referred by her vet. She was extremely distressed to report that her beloved cat Chester had started, for no obvious reason, to urinate and defecate in various places in the house. This had apparently been going on for several months and it soon became clear that James’s approach to the problem was very different from Ann’s.

As is often the way with the fairer sex, Ann felt the problem was somehow her fault; she was frustrated and upset that Chester was behaving in this way but went to great lengths to manage the situation by constant cleaning, spreading deterrents such as tinfoil and citrus peel across large expanses of carpet and generally maintaining constant vigilance for Chester’s next indiscretion.

James had a far more pragmatic approach to the problem. Chester was making a mess, upsetting his wife and making her fractious. After a long day at work James did not want to come home to a place full of obnoxious smells and debris. He therefore did what most men do. He looked for a solution to the situation and that was that the cat had to go. Ann and James then locked horns constantly as neither could understand the attitude of the other. Ann thought James’s solution was barbaric – after all you wouldn’t rehome a child – and James couldn’t understand why Ann was putting up with something that was clearly upsetting both the cat and her.

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The Cat Spring 2010

The problem was further complicated by the fact that James wasn’t that thrilled that some “mad cat lady” was coming along to perform some voodoo nonsense and cynically capitalise, in his opinion, on his wife’s suffering. Cat psychologist, indeed!

Strong bonds Cases like this are surprisingly common. Strong cat/ owner bonds transcend the logical and work on a purely emotional level. So often people continue with situations that are untenable for all parties but feel unable to address it, let alone make the decision to say enough is enough. It seems like the ultimate rejection so they plough on regardless and sink lower and lower while the cat continues to crumble under its various stresses. To those looking on with an emotional attachment to the human rather than the cat, it must also be soul destroying.

Men often become frustrated that they cannot protect their loved ones and their suggested solutions are rejected.

Another common scenario is when two cat lovers meet and decide to move in together but they both have cats, often several, that are expected to embrace the change in circumstances with equal enthusiasm. Introducing one adult cat to another is hard enough without considering the further complications of integrating five or six. Sadly, if the ultimate conclusion in these cases is that one or more have to go, who loses their cat or cats? This can put a strain on a relationship before it’s really had a chance to get established.

Even more distressing, you meet the man or woman of your dreams and you find that your cat hates your new partner. The feeling of rejection is so strong that something has to give: ultimately, who goes? I have actually been involved in a case where the female owner decided that her cat’s emotional wellbeing was more important than her relationship with her new man and he was politely but firmly asked to leave. I have always stood by a piece of advice to anyone in a similar situation: never, ever say: “it’s the cat or me”.

Something can be done I visited Ann and James and devoted the first part of the consultation period to getting James on my side. I am pleased to report I wasn’t nearly as mad

healthcheck as he expected and he was soon keen to learn why his wife’s cat had started to behave so badly. After investigating the situation and declaring that a local tom cat was probably behind Chester’s reluctance to toilet outside – or in the litter tray they helpfully located right next to full length glass patio doors. The simple addition of two discreetly located trays, well away from the back of the house would probably do the trick. Oh, that all cases could be resolved so easily. I then specifically added some essential DIY tasks to give Chester an added sense of security and show James that the solution was still very much in his hands. I am delighted to report that Ann, James and Chester are now all cohabiting in a state of domestic bliss again.

I have seen so many cases over the years that I am now wholly conversant with the fact that there are always two sides to every argument and two opposing but equally well-meaning attitudes to tackling cat behaviour problems.

I am willing to assist as best I can but, as always, prevention is better than cure. I will therefore step slightly outside my comfort zone and give a little advice that crosses over into the human domain.

• If the problem is referred to a pet behaviour counsellor, offer to involve your partner in the process but don’t force the issue if they are unwilling

Joining cat families together • Plan ahead and, ideally, join the cats on neutral territory • If one group is moving into the established home, create an area where the new cats can settle before the introduction. This area should ideally by one where the resident cats spend little time. The two groups of cats should then be introduced gradually, firstly by scent – swap bedding – and then by sight before actual contact is possible. Introducing them by using a wood and wire frame fitted into an open doorway enables them to respond to each other without the risk of injury • If your existing multi-cat household is tense then integrating them with another will undoubtedly cause further problems. Consider whether this is wise for them and talk through with your new partner that the groups may need to be divided to ensure their wellbeing.

Avoiding relationship strife Vicky Halls is a registered Veterinary Nurse, a member of the FAB’s Feline Behaviour Expert Panel and author of several best-selling cat counselling books. For further information regarding these and to subscribe to Vicky’s free monthly e-newsletter featuring cat behavioural articles, cats in the news, tips for cat owners and competitions, please visit her website at www.vickyhalls.net

Photo: CP Library

• Whatever you do, don’t do nothing when your cat develops problem behaviour! Emotional inertia sets in with time and you will soon be powerless to act positively.

As soon as it starts, seek help from your vet • Understand that your partner is trying to help and accept that his or her offered solutions may conflict with your own • Involve your partner and reassure them that you have taken their advice and that something is being done

The Cat Spring 2010 29

Ask the vets…

Every issue, CP’s team of veterinary experts will be tackling your feline-related questions…

Spooks joined us from the Warrington Adoption Centre in April last year, along with Millie, his companion – but definitely not friend! He had been transferred from another adoption centre only a few days before, but we were able to find out that he was around three years old. He is a beautiful sleek black cat, very vocal and initially very timid. He has settled well and is happy around our two dogs, although is the boss of the house – he’s decided I am his best friend and he is a very loving cat on a one-to-one basis.

However, I noticed that ever since we have had him he licks/washes my hands, arms and any bit of skin he can – as part of his routine when I stroke him. If I am reading or watching TV with my ankle on show, he will very quietly appear and the first I know of it is when he is washing my ankle. I then stroke him and redirect him away and he will stop but it’s something he always does. I have never experienced this before, he will wash your whole hand, in between your fingers and do a thorough job if you let him; is this stress? Is it mutual grooming on his behalf or, as someone suggested, was he taken from his mother too soon?

My horse does this when deficient in a mineral – so is this the problem? Spooks eats Whiskas soft food and Go-Cat biscuits, so has a balanced diet. Any thoughts?

Elaine Rippon, Knutsford, Cheshire We would always recommend contacting your veterinary surgeon if you are at all concerned by your cat’s behaviour. Your vet will be able to rule out any underlying medical causes. However, cats often lick their owners and this can be for a variety of reasons. One reason being that humans are covered in glands that exude sweat and cats often lick their owners because they enjoy the salty taste sweat has – this is not necessarily linked to a deficiency as a cat fed on a commercial pet food diet will be receiving all the salt that is necessary for normal day-to-day maintenance.

Another reason for this behaviour is that social harmony in feline colonies is achieved through ‘allogrooming’.

Allogrooming behaviour serves to confirm social relationships and maintain a common scent profile between members of the same group. Cats will therefore lick or ‘groom’ their owners if they consider them part of their social group and want to reinforce this relationship. If you stroke your cat during and after he performs this behaviour you will be ‘rewarding’ him with a pleasant experience, positively reinforcing his behaviour, meaning it will likely continue. If, however, you would like to help reduce this behaviour we would suggest that each time he begins to lick you, quietly stand up and walk away. If repeated, this will gently teach him that this form of attention is not appreciated. KH

30 The Cat Spring 2010

We have a beloved tortie of about two whom we have had from a tiny kitten. She has always been an ‘only’ cat and has had my full attention since I work from home. Recently we moved house and in the greenhouse lived a black cat who, to cut a very long story short, we have now adopted. We discovered he is in fact younger than her and certainly a stray. Our tortie hates him with a passion – she bullies him and makes him cry – she seeks him out when he’s in the house and pounces on him.

He has begun retreating back into the greenhouse which would break our hearts since we have begun to get him rehabilitated and he now purrs, plays with toys and is beginning to vocalise with us. Our vet said that eventually they will get on and recommended something that you plug into your socket which allegedly calms them down – however with Pumpkin, our tortie, it appears to make it worse. We don’t wish to get rid of either of them but we don’t want Basil, the new cat, to be bullied any more. The other day after she’d been at him he just sat and cried! They both have access to outside through the cat flap. Please help us!

Emma Green, via email Cats living in the wild are solitary and territorial creatures so it can be stressful when introducing a new cat to an existing cat in the household. However, characters do play a part and cats can live quite happily together in a household in one or two social groups if introduced correctly.

In this situation, we would suggest carefully reintroducing the two cats with the added assistance of some environmental changes to ensure you have a multi-cat friendly home. Essential resources for cats are food and drink, a toilet area, places to rest and hide and points of entry/exit between these. Make sure there are feeding bowls and water bowls for each cat situated in different locations, plenty of cat beds, scratching posts, a litter tray for each cat plus one extra – i.e. three if you have two cats – also situated in different locations. Each cat should be able to reach these resources easily without having to pass or interact with the other cat to avoid any conflict. If cats do have to pass each other, then try to provide furniture to hide behind or ledges to climb. Also, make sure there are plenty of hidey holes – cardboard boxes with holes are a cheap option – where cats can retreat if ambushed.

Reintroducing the two cats must be done carefully and at the cats’ own pace. We would suggest initially keeping the new cat in one room/small area of the house where you can provide all the resources he needs, while giving your existing cat access to the rest of the house. Scent plays a huge part in feline communication so we would then recommend ‘scent swapping’ between the cats i.e. take a blanket used by one cat and swap it with a blanket used by the other cat, also

healthcheck

Have you got a question?

Send your questions to ‘Ask The Vets’, The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, RH17 7TT or email: editorial@cats.org.uk

by stroking and interacting with each cat you will pick up and exchange their different scents. Small cloths can also be gently rubbed against one cat’s face and then introduced to the other cat. These measures will help them become used to each other’s smell. You may find that individual cats initially hiss at the new smell but after a while they will start to facially rub these areas and replace the other cat’s scent with their own. Once this has occurred you can consider allowing the new cat access to half of the house – if possible – while the other cat has access to the other half, while continuing to ‘scent swap’. This will further allow each cat to get used to the smell and sound of each other. The next step is to allow the cats to observe each other but not to be able to physically touch each other e.g. glass door or a screen. They can be fed either side of the screen to allow them to adjust to each other’s sight and presence. Once they are comfortable with this you can allow them direct access to the same areas. Make sure you have a soft pillow handy to place between the cats if there are any altercations.

The product suggested by your vet sounds like Feliway. This can also help make feline introductions easier and may still be worth trying if you undertake the planned introduction and enhancement of the environment. The product is a synthetic pheromone that mimics a cat’s own facial pheromone. Cats deposit their facial pheromones by rubbing against objects and these natural and synthetic pheromones convey a message of wellbeing and a feeling of security in a household.

The most important factor when introducing new cats is patience. It can take anything from a week to a few months before the cats are comfortable being in each other’s company. Also, please remember that none of the cats are at fault so please refrain from any punishment. They are just coping with a stressful situation in the best way that they know how. BS Toffee is 10 and seems to have a ‘thing’ about handbags. When at night I put my handbag on the bed to sort things out for the next day, she would put her head on it or lie on the whole bag. She looked so comfortable that I found a handbag I don’t use – it’s big and flattens down well and this is her bed for the night. She covers the bag completely and sleeps soundly. Her blankets at the end of the bed remain unused. Does it make sense?

Penny Hudson, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire Cats often seem to prefer to sleep on the ironing pile, in the cupboard or, in fact, any place other than where they are expected to sleep! When choosing where to sleep, cats will look for a place that feels comfortable and safe and is the right temperature. Different factors will be important to different cats. Some will happily sleep on the floor if the location is right whereas many cats like to be high up or in an enclosed area when they sleep as this makes them feel safe.

Cats have an excellent sense of smell so this will be a factor in deciding on a suitable sleeping place and experience as kittens can also shape a cat’s behaviour when he is older. Your cat’s mother may have bought her kittens up on a material that is similar to the handbag so your cat has now associated this with feeling safe.

Even though the blankets may look much more appropriate to us, cats will choose what is appropriate for them and this should be acceptable even if the reasons behind it can’t be fully understood! LM

The experts Maggie Roberts BVM&S MRCVS After qualifying at Edinburgh University in 1986, Maggie went on to work primarily in private practice. Maggie first worked for Cats Protection as Veterinary Officer from 1997-99; her interest in feline medicine brought her back to the charity as Head of Veterinary Services in 2006. She has three cats, Trevor, Frankie and Ronnie.

Beth Skillings BVSc MRCVS Beth qualified at the University of Liverpool in 1998 and went on to work in general veterinary practice until 2005 when she joined Cats Protection as Head of Veterinary Services. Beth moved into a new role as Clinical Veterinary Officer in November 2006. Beth has two CP cats, Starsky and Vincent.

Lisa Morrow BMLSc DVM MSc(BE) MRCVS Lisa graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Canada in 2000. Lisa first worked with Cats Protection as an Adoption Centre Vet at Derby Adoption Centre and was CP Head of Veterinary Services from 2003-2005. Lisa recently rejoined CP as Field Veterinary Officer in the northern region of the UK. She has two elderly cats called Ginger and Skinnie Minnie.

Karen Hiestand BVSc MRCVS Karen graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2001 and spent two years in mixed practise in her home country. Since then, she has interspersed locumming around the UK with volunteer veterinary work. She has one cat called Dexter.

Veterinary surgeons have provided the advice on these pages, but for specific cases and health concerns, it is important that you consult your own vet who will be able to look at your cat’s history and do a clinical examination.

The Cat Spring 2010

31

mewsic be the of food love,

If

Reports have suggested that pets can bring you happiness but can they also lead you to find love?

Amy Rutter investigates…

play on

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owadays there are many ways to meet your ideal partner. You can meet someone at work, through friends or when you’re out just about anywhere – the list is pretty much endless.

But what is different about that? What would be really interesting is if your cat helped you to find love. Your cat could wander into the home of your ideal partner. Your vet could turn out to be Mr or Ms Right. Or your eyes could even meet over the pet food aisle in the supermarket.

We spoke to three women with unique stories involving men and moggies…

Decent proposal Nicky Jennings from Warwick was divorced in April 2003 and met her new partner, Patrick, in August of the same year through an online dating agency. “I have to say that the thing that most attracted me to him was the fact he was a cat lover and dad to a pair of cats: Olive and Jasmine,” says Nicky, 43. “The most important thing in my life was my cat, Smudge, a then ageing, blackand-white boy.”

It was Patrick’s photo that initially attracted her to read his dating profile in depth. “The fact he had two cats was certainly the clincher that made me decide to initiate contact!” They swapped many emails including stories and photos about their feline friends for about three or four months before they met. “It seemed like ages before we got an opportunity to meet up, living so far apart,” she says.

Smudge was present on their first date when Patrick went to visit for the weekend and approved of her choice wholeheartedly. Nicky then made the 150-mile trip from Sudbury, Suffolk to Warwick the following weekend to visit

Olive and Jasmine. By October, Smudge and Nicky had moved across the country to live with Patrick and ‘the girls’.

Nicky says they made introductions between their cats gradually with Smudge staying in the spare room for the first few days and began by exchanging scents. “As expected, Olive, who’s a real ‘daddy’s girl’, was most put out – with me, as well as Smudge I think! – and there was some mutual growling when they first met, but fortunately no fighting.”

It was hugely important to Nicky that Smudge approved of Patrick. “I think cats are very astute judges of character and Smudge took to Patrick and let him fuss him straight away – unlike some previous boyfriends who he would never let near him!”

She reveals that she doesn’t think the relationship would have lasted if Smudge hadn’t liked Patrick: “I certainly wouldn’t have moved in with him,” Nicky says.

“Smudge’s happiness and welfare was always paramount in my decision making.”

On New Year’s Eve, Patrick proposed.

He had planned to place the ring on a loose ribbon hung over Smudge’s head – like Mr Jinx wears in Meet the Fockers . “We had previously watched the film together and are fans of Mr Jinx.

I remember commenting at the time that I couldn’t think of a better way to propose – I wasn’t hinting, honest! It must have struck a chord with him too”. Unfortunately, Patrick left the empty ring box on the side which Nicky discovered before the planned proposal; this pre-empted things and rather scuppered his plans!

In mid-January of the following year, Smudge was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and after a couple of weeks Nicky realised that it was time to say goodbye. “Smudge’s new step-daddy cuddled him in his

“I figured if my cats liked him so much he must be okay”

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The Cat Spring 2010

feature arms and told him not to worry, he would always look after his mummy,” says Nicky.

Six years on, Nicky and Patrick have yet to tie the knot, but are still together and have new additions to their feline family. They currently have four cats: Olive and Jasmine still, Wilkie and, more recently, Sweep – all adopted from the Coventry and Mid-Warwickshire Cats Protection branches.

A chance romance In December 1995 Chris Orton’s black-and-white moggy Gizmo went missing. She describes it as an awful time, explaining that he had always been an ‘outdoor’ cat – he came to them as a stray – but came home regularly for his meals, so when he went missing for 10 days all Chris wanted for Christmas was for Gizmo to come home safely.

Chris, 52, from Chessington, Surrey says she feared all sorts.

“There are far more ways now of making it known that your cat is missing, but we did all the door knocking, leafleting and signing that we could so a lot of people knew. I think cat people talk to other cat people and a lot of us were looking out for him.”

On Christmas Day, Chris’s daughter Anne called to tell her that Gizmo had appeared at her patio window. But he had a big problem – most of his tail was missing.

They had to find an emergency vet and Gizmo became an amputee. The vet suspected Gizmo had been trapped by his tail and finally pulled himself free.

Throughout January 1996, Chris was back and forth with Gizmo to the vet. “You may remember it had snowed very heavily at this time and I looked like the abominable snow woman, trudging to the bus stop through the thick snow to take Gizmo in his carrier to the vet,” Chris says. “Gizmo hated the journeys and often peed in his carrier. So there I’d be, at the bus stop, muffled up with just my nose sticking out and carrying a dripping, steaming cat basket! Hardly a prospect for a chance romance!”

Despite this, one day while waiting for the bus, a man started chatting to her. It turned out Kieron was a great cat lover, lived just round the corner from Chris and was also single. Chris says part of the ‘attraction’ for Kieron was that someone had told him she was involved with cats – she fostered for her local Cats Protection branch years previously.

“I haven’t fostered since I was about 30 as the branch came to an end at that point – although the people involved have re-established it and have many new members it seems!”

Chris says.

At the time of meeting Kieron, Chris was doing voluntary work in a café and he suggested he met her there. As they Photo: CP Library

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got to know each other more, Kieron often went to visit her at home. He had never owned a cat and loved playing with Chris’s two, Gizmo and Lucky – and they loved him. He firstly fell in love with the cats and Chris soon followed!

They have been together ever since, thanks to Gizmo. Now, all these years on, Gizmo and Lucky have gone to Rainbow Bridge but Chris and Kieron are shared by their two adopted cats, Chloe and Mr T.

More than a buddy Lisa Pike, 41, met her husband John, 39, when he went over to her apartment in New York – after a friend’s recommendation – to look at her crashed computer back in April 2006. Before John had even looked at her computer he was on the floor with her two cats. Lisa was amazed as they don’t normally warm up to too many people. Later, John asked Lisa out for a date. She says “I wasn’t especially attracted to him and thought he was strange! I think we had a couple of group outings together before I went out with him. I figured if my cats liked him so much he must be okay.”

Lisa has two cats: “The first one I got when I lived in NYC – I now live in Colorado Springs – and had mice in my apartment. I found her at the animal shelter there and I really liked her because she had a nice loud ‘voice’ which I figured would help scare the mice away. She is a calico named Buddy and is 11 years old now. She took care of my mouse problem and I promised her I would take care of her for life.”

When Lisa still lived in New York, she had a prospective boyfriend go over to her apartment. Buddy despised him so much she would go in the bathroom and turn her back to

the door, staying in there the whole duration of his visit. Lisa realised that she was right to despise him. “He turned out to be a real scoundrel that was dating several of my colleagues all at the same time – without them knowing”, she says. “Since this, I have taken Buddy’s judgment of people pretty seriously.”

She got her second cat a couple of years after Buddy after finding him at a local animal welfare centre in Colorado Springs. She describes him as the sweetest cat she has ever known and named him Sam. “Sam is sweet and affectionate, but he is reserved”, she says. “So the fact that he came up to John on their first meeting was very unusual.”

So Lisa did go out on a date with John and he seemed “alright”. They kept dating and she says she grew quite fond of him. “I had to go out of town at one point and asked John if he would take care of Sam and Buddy for me. ‘Sure,’ he said. Well, he took the best care of them. I ended up arriving back home a bit early and found him brushing Sam.” Lisa had no idea that Sam loved to be brushed so much: “I think the cats had such a wonderful time with him taking such good care of them, they hardly noticed that I was back from that trip,” she adds.

John and Lisa dated for about a year and a half before getting married. Lisa says she fell in love with John and believes his doting on her beloved cats really influenced that – and even thinks she wouldn’t have married him if her cats didn’t like him. Now they all live together happily!

Love can pop up from just about anywhere and it’s sometimes difficult to separate the men from the boys. So if your mog can help you find your knight in shining armour, what are you waiting for? Get puss on the case!

Photo: istockphoto.com/Daniel Laflor

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The Cat Spring 2010

exclusive

Countdown to Ferndown With our Ferndown Homing Centre almost ready to welcome its first feline residents, Tom Briggs looks ahead to this significant day in the CP calendar

S

ince Cats Protection announced plans for its new Ferndown Homing Centre in late 2008, there has been a growing sense of anticipation among everyone involved in the project.

The wait is almost over, however, as the centre prepares to open its doors for the first time.

Since we revealed details about Ferndown in our Spring 2009 issue, the site has undergone a major transformation. There are now 24 pens where cats from branches in the surrounding area will stay while they wait to find a new home and other facilities including a large meeting room that will be available to community groups have also been completed. Recruitment for the centre is well underway and the position of Homing Centre Manager has been filled.

Fiona White has already taken up her role and is working behind the scenes in the build up to the grand opening on 20 March.

“I’ll feel quite emotional when the first cat goes home,” says Fiona. “Hopefully the cats won’t stay with us for long. The idea is that they come in and find a new home in a matter of days. It’s an amazing centre; it’s all singing, all dancing – the cats won’t want to leave!”

By providing a central location where potential adopters can meet ready-to-home cats from local branches, the Ferndown Homing Centre represents a new way of rehoming that will not only accelerate the process of adopting a cat but that will also hopefully act as a model for future rehoming activity across the charity.

Fundraising boost The project has been boosted by a number of fundraising initiatives around the United Kingdom including CP supporter Martin Taylor who has raised £250 for the Homing Centre with street collections in all kinds of weather in Edinburgh. Elsewhere, Cats Protection’s annual Celebrity Paws auction – whereby feline-friendly celebrities draw around their hand then sign and decorate the result to create unique auction items – saw almost £2,500 raised for the centre.

Similarly, primary schools, Beaver colonies and Brownie packs have been helping to raise funds and have fun at the same time in our Kids Paw competition. Around 1,700 CP supporters have also contributed to our ‘Ribbon of Paws’ which will be displayed around the Homing Centre for its grand opening.

With the building almost complete, the rehoming work can soon begin and it’s not too late for cat lovers in the Ferndown area to get involved. Fiona says: “We’re looking for anybody who is interested in volunteering with us so we would be delighted for them to come along for a chat. From managing events and helping to market the centre and, of course, helping with the cats there are plenty of opportunities.”

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the new Ferndown Homing Centre a reality; it wouldn’t have been possible without you. To show how your support has made a difference, we will be featuring a visit to Ferndown in the Summer issue. If you can’t wait that long, why not go along to the grand opening on 20 March? We would love to see you there!

You can find out more about the Ferndown Homing Centre or make a donation towards it at www.cats.org.uk/ferndownappeal.

You can also follow its progress in the build up to the grand opening on 20 March via www.facebook.com/cpferndown.

Email ferndownappeal@cats.org.uk

Picture Announcing the winners of our annual photographic competition…

Overall winner & category winner – In action or inaction Alfie by Paul Huggins, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

36 The Cat Spring 2010

photo2009

perfect T

he winner of our annual photographic contest has been announced as Paul Huggins from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Paul’s picture of Alfie was selected as the overall champion from over 400 entrants by our judges – Nick Ridley, one of the country’s leading pet photographers, and Cats Protection’s Chairman of Trustees, Heather McCann.

Over £4,000 was raised in accompanying donations, meaning that the cats and kittens in our care will benefit as a result.

Category winner – My feline friend Emma & Erin by Steve Kelly, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire

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37

Category winner – Animal magic Blackberry & Blueberry by Stephen McBride, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Category winner – Perfect portrait Seb by Terry Gibbins, Bromley, Kent

38

The Cat Spring 2010

Leading

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AGMnotice

An invitation to the National Cat Centre

O

n Saturday 17 July 2010 we will be celebrating the charity’s achievements over the past year with a wonderful lunch on a special day, built around our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Cat Centre in Sussex.

Photo: CP Library

Share the day with other Cats Protection supporters, volunteers and staff. Enjoy meeting and chatting to the charity’s vets and other staff. You will also have the opportunity to visit our shop in the Training and Education Centre and look behind the scenes at our flagship adoption centre – always a popular event with visitors who like to meet the cats themselves.

Voting members will also have the opportunity to vote in our Council elections. You can vote if you are a member, aged over 18 and have been a member for at least a year since becoming 18.

Photo: Martin Dewhurst

Transport to and from Haywards Heath train station will be available.

To book your place at this celebration of cats and Cats Protection, please complete and return the form below, phone 03000 12 12 12 or email agm@cats.org.uk Due to the expected popularity of this event, tickets will be issued so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Please reserve my place at this event on Saturday 17 July 2010 Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Title:

First name:

Surname:

Address: Postcode: Membership number (if applicable):

Transport required from Haywards Heath:

Special dietary requirements:

Return this form to: Sue Penfold, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex RH17 7TT by 1 June 2010. Alternatively, email your details and requirements to agm@cats.org.uk or or phone our Helpline on 03000 12 12 12 (calls charged at standard rate).

40 The Cat Spring 2010

Yes

No

Paws Outdoors 2010 L

ast year, Cats Protection held its first ever Paws Outdoors fundraising campaign, supported by Pets at Home. From garden parties to fêtes, from outdoor Shakespeare to lunchtime picnics, this exciting new fundraising initiative raised over £6,500 to help the cats and kittens in our care. So let’s do it again!

This June; the month of Wimbledon, garden shows and school sports days, we want to encourage people to take time out to ‘paws’ and relax in the great outdoors, while raising money for Cats Protection.

What sort of event?

Anything goes! The aim of Paws Outdoors is to encourage people to make the most of the great outdoors – with their cat if possible – so any outdoor event is ideal. If you don’t have access to any outdoor space, why not be creative with indoor space? There is no right or wrong way to hold a Paws Outdoors event. Anyone can arrange something, no matter how big or small, or how much time you have. Events can be held at any time in June, so you can choose a date to fit in with your plans.

From a get together with friends in your back garden, to a music festival, street party or even an office sports day, the choice is up to you.

How money will be raised?

This depends on what kind of event you hold. You could ask for a suggested donation, charge for food, activities or a raffle or even get people to sponsor you to do something active or unusual. The fundraising team at the NCC will be offering help and advice, as well as a fundraising pack, to anyone who wants to run a Paws Outdoors event. The pack contains a wealth of ideas and resources to help make your event a success. Just get in touch with the team by visiting www.cats.org.uk/pawsoutdoors/paws or by email fundraising@cats.org.uk to register your interest. This will also mean you are covered by our insurance.

What if I can’t organise an event?

If you are unable to organise your own event, why not see what other cat lovers in your local area have got planned?

In addition, there will be a series of national events across the country which you can attend, for example last year saw an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the National Cat Centre.

All the money raised will go towards helping the cats and kittens in our care by finding them loving homes, supporting and encouraging the neutering and improving people’s understanding of cats and their care.

To find out more and to download your free Paws Outdoors resources, please visit www.cats.org.uk/paws or phone

01825 741 980

(Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)

paws

outdoors

paws

outdoors

As we launch our Rescue Cat Awards, Tom Briggs looks at the cats who have turned the tables and rescued humans

S

Photo: Warren Photographic/Kim Taylor

ince the relationship between people and cats was forged thousands of years ago, there have been numerous examples of our feline friends apparently coming to our aid and confounding our expectations of them. From their initial instinctive behaviour that resulted in them being revered as gods to saving human lives in times of global conflict, there seem to be a number of documented cases of our pets becoming our protectors.

So, with our ever-popular Rescue Cat Awards shortly due to launch, what better time to take a look at some of the amazing instances in which our feline companions have defied their supposedly selfish characters to become saviours?

42

Divine intervention?

It all started in ancient Egypt where, according to the history books, the domestication of cats began. I say ‘according to the history books’ as the skeleton of a cat has been found carefully interred alongside that of a human in a 9,500-year-old grave in Shillourokambos, Cyprus that predates

The Cat Spring 2010

the ancient Egyptians – who knows?

Maybe this cat once did something heroic and was saved a space alongside his loving owner. I digress. According to the theories of eminent historians, it was the Egyptians who first saw the potential of cats as companions – although, seeing as many cat owners concede that their pets are, in fact, the boss, maybe this was the other way round. This occurred when wildcats’ prey got bolder and started pilfering supplies from human settlements.

Naturally, the cats put paid to the rats and were welcomed with open arms by the Egyptians; so much so that when a cat died, his entire adopted household would shave off their eyebrows. This all culminated in cats being deified; not a bad day’s work really!

Modern heroes It was cats’ instincts that again resulted them being perceived as heroes in the modern era and a number of stories from wartime stand out, particularly of those who literally served on the front line. In World War I, they were taken to the trenches to act as poison

feature

Rescue me ‘Cats put paid to rats and ended up being deified; not a bad day’s work really!’ gas ‘detectors’ thanks to their superior sense of smell while there were numerous ships’ cats whose names became well known back in Blighty during World War II. Two cats survived the Battle of the River Plate in 1939, providing a muchneeded morale boost to their crews during the conflict; Scouse served on the HMS Exeter, while Tissy was the mascot on HMS Achilles. Following the victory celebrations, Scouse was to have his portrait painted by a prominent artist, but sadly died in the studio while Tissy was awarded an unofficial Order of Feline Bravery for her courage during the shootout.

Then there was Oscar who defected from the Central Powers to the Allied Forces and endured three shipwrecks!

He survived the sinking of the Bismarck in 1941 and was taken aboard HMS Cossack. Five months later, Cossack was sunk and he was transferred to the aircraft carrier Ark Royal. This vessel was then torpedoed by U-boats, but Oscar pulled through yet again.

Simon was the ship’s cat on HMS Amethyst when it was attacked on the Yangtse River in 1949 and was the first cat to be awarded the PDSA’s Dickin Medal for his bravery and service. Despite a sustained attack from

Communist forces, Simon survived, overcoming his wounds to raise morale among the crew and ridding the ship of rats.

Sensing danger Back on dry land, there were several stories of cats acting strangely in the hours leading up to air raids during World War II. People soon made the connection and were convinced that their pets knew the Luftwaffe was going to attack and retreated to the safety of their air raid shelters. One story of a London cat called Faith stands out. She won the hearts of the nation after she saved her kitten on a particularly severe night of bombing during the Blitz. In the days preceding the attack, Faith persisted in hiding her kitten, Panda, in the basement of the church they lived in – even when their owner moved them both back upstairs.

The fateful night came and the church was destroyed, but both cats survived.

Faith was awarded a silver medal five years later.

Similarly, cats – and other animals – have been credited with saving lives when nature attacks. In 1975, an estimated 150,000 fatalities and injuries were avoided in Haicheng, China when a major earthquake struck.

The decision to evacuate the city before the earthquake was based in part on the fact that cats and dogs had started behaving erratically. Although it was later established that the disaster was detected due to a preceding series of small tremors known as foreshocks, the Chinese have continued to take animal behaviour around such events seriously and while there have been some false alarms, there have also been some notable successes.

Maybe all of these stories are a result of people misinterpreting their cats’ behaviour and projecting human characteristics onto their reactions to unusual events, but without their intervention – even if this is just in the form of their instinctive response – more human lives would have been lost. In addition to all of these largescale stories of feline heroism, there have also been numerous individual instances of cats saving their owners from accidents and illnesses.

Turn to page 50 to read about some of the truly remarkable cats who have been recognised in Cats Protection’s previous Rescue Cat Awards as we launch this year’s celebration of cats who are heroes.

The Cat Spring 2010

43

Photo: Graham Clarke

44 The Cat  Spring 2010

gardeningfeature

raham Clarke extols the virtues of having your own G personal Kew Gardens in your back yard

I

f you’re a gardener I would always recommend that you have a greenhouse. The extra heat and warmth it provides will revolutionise your gardening – and could change the way your cat behaves, too!

Every year between late spring and early autumn, my neighbour Doreen’s cat, Butch, has a favourite spot in her greenhouse. It’s in the left-hand corner farthest from the door, where the sun beats down, but is lightly shaded by the leaves of an indoor grapevine. In fact, any time of year when Doreen wants to shut the greenhouse door to keep in the heat, she has to first check that Butch isn’t inside.

A well maintained and stocked greenhouse is certainly something that can be beautiful to look at and you can display wonderfully different and/or exotic plants, too; with just a little effort you could create a mini version of the Palm House at Kew Gardens!

available – which many beginners are likely to go for – are not likely to last for very many years before corrosion and warping takes place.

Plastic: These greenhouses are available mainly as lean-to models, simple covered affairs that should be sited next to the wall of your house. They are flimsy and have a short life, but on the plus side they are incredibly cheap, so you get what you pay for – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Indeed, they are arguably perfect if you’ve never had a greenhouse before and are thinking about getting into it, or if you don’t have very much space available.

UPVC: This can be a very expensive option, but is virtually maintenance-free and will last for decades. It’s probably the sort of greenhouse you will choose if you are already experienced, know you’re going to use it to its fullest and don’t intend moving for a long time!

The different types

What do you use it for?

So, you’ve decided to get a greenhouse. But what types are out there and which is the best?

Wood: The most pleasing to look at and often the most ‘fitting’ in, say, a rural garden setting, would be a greenhouse made from wood. It retains heat well when the sun dips below the horizon and wooden houses are generally solid and sturdy.

The downsides to wood are quite significant, however.

First, it’s expensive… often three or four times the cost when compared to an aluminium greenhouse of the same size. Also, it will need care and attention: the wood needs cleaning and treating, otherwise after a while it will start to decay.

An annual regime of cleaning the glazing bars and checking them for rot is required.

Don’t forget that cats like a bit of wood to scratch occasionally and I’ve seen wooden greenhouse corner struts that have made great scratching posts – if your cat is a frisky scratcher, a metal greenhouse may well be a better option!

Metal: Aluminium greenhouses are the most commonly sold.

They are cheaper than wood, easier to put up and easier to maintain. The downsides are that metal can look stark and it does not retain heat so well. Also, the cheapest types

Propagation: For a dedicated gardener, the greenhouse is the place to sow seeds and take cuttings. A fortune can be saved each year by propagating your own baby plants – rather than buying expensive bedding and pot plants. If you plan ahead properly, you should be able to get plants growing earlier than usual, which can result in a longer flowering or cropping season. Yes, early growing means you may need to provide some form of greenhouse heating or insulation, but this is all part of the experience and the fun – and enables you to do so much more.

Overwintering tender plants: Outdoor plants that are fine in the summer, but which die off if they are frosted, can be lifted and stored in the greenhouse over winter. Things such as dahlias and Indian shot plants (Canna) need winter protection under cover. I bring into the greenhouse every November my container-grown Calamondin orange (Citrus) and used to bring in a potted peach until it got too big.

Palms, bananas and all manner of tender plants can be housed in the winter if the greenhouse is big enough.

Display: Throughout summer, I like to keep one side of my 8x12ft greenhouse for display purposes only. Fuchsias, pelargoniums, coleus, begonias and a host of other

The Cat Spring 2010

45

Photos: Top – Alitex; Left – Graham Clarke; Right – Two Wests & Elliott

Top: Cold frame Right: A mini patio greenhouse

plants provide a spectacle of colour on the bench. But some gardening friends have created a steamy, jungle-like greenhouse with dripping creepers and climbers, luxuriant palms and orchids. Which plants you grow to decorate your greenhouse is up to you!

Recuperation: House plants often flower their little hearts out on a windowsill but what do we do with them when they’ve finished their displays? Usually they stay put and look dull – or worse and we end up throwing them away. In many cases, a period of recuperation in the greenhouse is all that is required – their downtime if you like – and combined with a bit of feeding, tidying and maybe pruning, they could spring back to life and be brought back into the home.

Storage: If all else fails, you can use the greenhouse to store the mower – if you can get it through the door!

What’s to be done in the greenhouse now?

Vegetables: During spring you should be sowing seeds of many types of vegetable under glass; some will be grown on for cropping in the greenhouse, while others will be moved out to the vegetable garden. Sow the following now: tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and chillis, aubergines, courgettes/marrows. The types that definitely need to be grown outside, but which may benefit from starting off now in the greenhouse include runner, broad and French beans,

46 The Cat Spring 2010

garden peas, sweetcorn, many members of the cabbage family, celery and even lettuce. Harvest now the very earliest greenhouse-grown carrots, lettuce and radishes.

Fruits: Greenhouse-grown peaches, nectarines, grapes and perhaps strawberries will all flower during spring. Hand pollination – transferring pollen with a soft brush or a ball of cotton wall, from one flower to another, by gently brushing them in turn – may be necessary. Sow seeds of melons.

Water and feed greenhouse grapevines. Pick the earliest strawberries.

Flowers: Most summer-flowering bedding plants should be started off in March or April in gentle heat – a temperature of 13-20ºC is usually ideal; such levels won’t be achieved outside until high summer, by which time it will be far too late to sow these plants.

General greenhouse tasks for spring: • Ventilate when it’s hot – try to keep the greenhouse in the 7-20ºC range • Apply shading when the sun gets high in late spring to stop its intensity from bleaching plants; paint-on shading is the easiest, but netting and screens are available • Increase humidity in warm weather by damping down the floors and staging with water; this will help to keep plants healthy and turgid • Pests are more active at this time of year, so keep an eye out for greenfly, whitefly, vine weevil, red spider mite and slugs • Feeding and watering are all going to be essential from now on – and the frequency of application will depend on what you’re growing • Shut doors and windows at night, so that heat doesn’t escape – but check for your own versions of Butch first!

Shutting down at night won’t be so important during high summer

What if I don’t have room for a greenhouse?

Lack of space need not spell the end of your gardening hopes and aspirations.

Lean-to: A small lean-to greenhouse, such as the type described at the beginning, can be used on any scrap of hard standing next to the house – even if it’s in the shade. It will give plants some protection and enable you to grow a few trays of seeds, over winter a few tender plants – and even allow you to grow some pots of new potatoes for Christmas!

Garden frame: This is often thought of as an extension of the greenhouse, but you can keep a frame on its own. This is a low, glass-topped box affair, traditionally made from wood, but these days there are metal and plastic versions as well.

Use them to house tender seedlings and overwinter lowgrowing potted plants and alpines.

Cloches: Although traditionally used in the kitchen garden – placed over a row of vegetables to give them a extra warmth or to protect them from birds – cloches can actually be used anywhere in the garden. Put several next to each other on a spare bit of ground and you end up with a mini greenhouse for housing most of the seedlings and cuttings you’d ever want to take.

Go on – treat yourself to a new greenhouse and embark on an entirely new dimension in your gardening. Kew Gardens here we come!

underthepaw

Tom Cox investigates the stigma attached to being both a cat lover and a singleton

I

me her profile and asked me whether there was anything I thought she should add. “You haven’t mentioned that you like cats, have you?” I said. “No.” She replied. “That’s because you don’t, if you’re a girl. It’s the rule.” I noticed that in one of her photos she had cropped out Bob, her chunky tabby.

I felt sorry for Bob. Had he had any say in this? “But you wouldn’t want to go out with someone who doesn’t like cats, though, would you?” I asked. “No!” she replied, horrified.

I’m not sure that single men would worry quite so much about having a moggy slinking in the rear of their shot on a dating site, but ‘Crazy Cat Woman’ is now so ubiquitous, she is altering the way we all think about our pets, whether we’re male or female. She’s been here forever, yet she seems to be particularly prevalent in modern culture – on The Simpsons, on sitcoms, endlessly referenced in daily conversation. “You want to be careful. You’ll turn into the lady with all the cats and no friends!” “Uh-oh. You’ve got hair on your jumper.

Mad cat woman alert!” Certainly, there are people out there who project too much onto their animals and start to let their hygiene standards slip as a result of being around them, but they are in the minority and it seems sad that we are going to quite such lengths to hide our cat love because we’re worried what the world thinks. Surely loving cats says more good things about a person than it does bad ones: that they’re patient, an appreciator of beauty, open to a challenge? There’s the possibility that it might just say plainly that they love cats. Having said that, I will confess that I met a girl recently who talked a lot about how much she loved the smell of cat food and I found it hard to view it as a plus. But that’s just plain weird, isn’t it?

Tom Cox is the author of Under The Paw: Confessions Of A Cat Man. Visit his blog at http:// littlecatdiaries. blogspot.com

The Cat Spring 2010

47

Illustration: Rasoul Hudda

became single a few months ago. As a state of being, it’s not without its perks – sometimes, I’ll throw a wet towel on the floor and leave it there for a whole four minutes before picking it up – but it’s also been a slightly bewildering phenomenon. Of course, I’ve been single before, but since that happened in 1647, I’m not sure my memories of it are at all relevant to the present day. There’s also the fact that, last time I was single, I was not living alone with four cats: a domestic set up that can be a huge drawback in the dating world, or a major plus, depending on who you ask.

I’m told by cat-loving female friends that being a man who owns multiple felines marks me out as solid boyfriend material, but then they would say that: they like cats and are being nice to me because they are my friends and know I’ve been through a relationship break-up in the not-too-distant past. Am I really more sensitive because I like cats? I suppose I have a sensitive side, but I also probably like beer, boobs and loud rock music no less than many manly men who wouldn’t allow a feline in the house. I’m also aware that there’s a flipside to the perception: that there are also women, even women who like cats, who will immediately start asking themselves questions about a man living alone with that many sets of paws. Why four moggies, and not just one?

On a deeper level, what do the cats “represent”? If he has that many animals, does it mean he can’t relate to humans?

If I were to answer these questions, I would say it’s as simple as this: I like cats, my ex also likes cats, so we ended up getting a lot of cats. Then, when we split up, I ended up keeping slightly more cats than her. But as we all know, that kind of explanation might not cut it in the real world. Another single friend recently signed up to one of the more wholesome internet dating sites and showed

There are so many great things out there for cats and their owners. Here are just a few of our favourites…

WIN

Save our friends!

A sweet treat!

The Monty Bojangles® Fine Confectioners of London produce wonderfully nostalgic sweets that will take you right back to your childhood! With a choice of old-fashioned sweets, chocolate truffles and crèmes, these luxurious treats are sure to impress confectionary enthusiasts.

Plus it is fronted by sassy cat, Monty! We have 10 boxes of sweets from the natural sweet range – made with no artificial colours or flavours – to give away, comprising cola cubes, pear drops, pineapple cubes, rhubarb and custards, lemon sherbets and the newly developed sherbet pips, aniseed balls and white mice. To win a box, enter in the usual way with your entries marked ‘Monty Bojangles’.

WIN

Be clean, be green This is the perfect cat litter for all you eco-minded consumers out there. Made from 100 per cent organic materials, Cat’s Best OkoPlus is biodegradable and compostable, as the natural fibres effectively absorb liquids and capture any unpleasant odours.

As friendly to your wallet as it is the environment, its clumping qualities make the soiled litter easy to scoop out and replace, so you don’t unnecessarily waste unused litter. Cat’s Best OkoPlus is available from all good pet shops, or online at www. petfoodwarehouse.co.uk. We have 10 bags to give away, send your entries in marked ‘OkoPlus’.

48 The Cat Spring 2010

WIN

Forget the hamster toy of the moment, these are more exotic and help raise funds protecting endangered animals. The Save Our Friends ethical range of cuddly, super-large toys are a way of showing concern about the plight of endangered animals.

For every toy sold, a contribution is made to one of several wildlife charities. This money supports valuable conservation work all over the world, helping to keep endangered wild animals alive and to protect their habitats. It’s easy to make a difference!

We have three of these toys to give away; a chimp, dolphin and zebra. Enter in the usual way, marking entries ‘Save our Friends’. These are priced at £29.95 each and can be purchased via their website www.saveourfriends.co.uk.

Toys will be allocated as available.

75 years old and still going strong!

In this day and age it is heartening to hear of an independent store surviving, let alone thriving. A Coombs Pet Store was opened in 1934 serving the people of Brighton and continues to keep customers supplied with cat litter, dog bowls, hamster wheels and budgie seed well into the 21st century. Owner Robert Harper started at the store 50 years ago as a Saturday boy and liked it so much he eventually bought the place! A Coombs has witnessed many changes to the commercial world since its inception and has recently celebrated the launch of a new online service ensuring that its client list extends well beyond the south coast resort. To mark its 75th anniversary, the store has provided the following prizes to our readers: one lucky winner will win a 2kg bag of Almo Nature Holistic Chicken Dry Food, 28 Cans of Mix Flavour Almo Nature Wet Food and the full range of Cat Dancer toys; The Original Cat Dancer, The Cat Dancer Compleat, The Catnip Cat Dancer and The Cat Charmer. Ten runners up will win The Original Cat Dancer toy.

Here’s to the next 75 years! www.acoombs.co.uk Mark your entries ‘75 not out!’

WIN

Cuddle a kitty Lulu is an adorable life-sized cuddly cat with highly realistic animatronic features.

She loves to sit on your lap and as you groom her with the included brush, she’ll purr and roll over to allow you to rub her tummy! She blinks her eyes, moves her head and ears and even ‘licks’ her paw to clean her face. Leave her alone and she’ll drift off to sleep. She is very advanced, complete with several built-in sensors – a great alternative for people who are unable to own a real cat. Available to buy from www.electronicpetshop.com at £49.99 with free delivery and a free personalised adoption package.

Let there be light!

Have you been doing up your home for the new year? What better way to modernise than with this funky dimmer light switch? Perfect for any trendy cat lover, Candy Queen Design’s light switches are available as dimmers or as standard on/off light switches and they even make cat cupboard door knobs! To buy one or see the many other designs available – or for details on commissioning your own design – visit www.candyqueendesigns.co.uk. We have been kindly offered a discount code which will entitle all readers of The Cat to 10 per cent off their first purchase; just enter ‘CAT10’ at the checkout. We also have one grass cat dimmer worth £24.99 to give away, to be picked as a winner mark your entries ‘Dimmer’.

WIN

The

cat’ s miaow

WIN

Make a house a home WIN

Ali’s House of String specialises in country-style accessories for your home and Fairtrade gifts and jewellery from around the world. Owner Ali makes a range of personalised bespoke items and can design and commission items to your own specification. These beautiful and rustic ‘Love me, love my cats’ plaques will add charm to any home. Priced at £10, the plaques are available from www.alishouseofstring.co.uk. Ali is kindly offering three giveaways to lucky readers of The Cat ; for your chance to win, mark your entries ‘House of String’.

For a chance to win one of our fantastic giveaways, send your name and address on a postcard or sealed envelope to: The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT. You can also send your entries via email to competitions@cats.org.uk. Don’t forget to mark your entries in the subject header so we know which competition you’re entering as well as including your name and address in the email body.

On occasion we may need to pass on the details of competition winners to the prize suppliers for products to be posted direct.

Closing date for all giveaways is 16 April 2010.

Mog shots Cat-owned people with an eye for style will love this offer from photographer Wolf Kettler, who is best known for his beautiful bespoke portrait photography of people. Wolf’s portraits are informal and fun. His work has been exhibited and published internationally.

Wolf photographs pets, both with and without their owners. In his Animals and their humans photographs he aims to express the character and essence of all his sitters; feline and human alike.

‘All that is needed for a great animal portrait,’ says Wolf, ‘is a little patience, respect and mental connection.’

A visit to the photographer with your feline companion does not require strategic planning because this photographer comes to you! Photo sessions with animals are available on location only, usually at a client’s home.

nimals and their humans photo sessions A start at £220, which includes a £150 credit towards your choice of prints.

You can also get a photo calendar with a different photograph of Moggy for each month of the year or even a jigsaw puzzle of Kitty’s whiskers.

Now you can book a photo session and help Cats Protection too: Mention the Spring issue of The Cat magazine when you book an Animals and their humans photo session before 30 June 2010 and claim an extra A3-sized, hand-crafted print in exhibition quality, worth £34, free of charge. In addition, you will be helping Cats Protection, who will receive 15 per cent of the value of the commission.

To book your photo session, visit www.wolfkettler.co.uk email bureau@wolfkettler.co.uk or phone Wolf on 07785 738 000.

The Cat Spring 2010 49

From cat flap to stage door As we invite entries to our Rescue Cat Awards, Tom Briggs looks forward to this year’s event

A

s everybody who has a feline companion knows, cats are incredible animals. They are independent yet affectionate, asleep on the sofa one minute and charging around the garden like a moggy possessed the next and while they are highly adaptable they often opt to do things very much on their own terms! However, complex creatures though they are there are instances when their apparently selfless actions surprise even the most cynical of people. We all love tales of cats who have helped their owners through adversity or who have defied the odds themselves and these are the inspiration behind Cats Protection’s Rescue Cat Awards. Following on from the success of past events, we are now inviting entries for this year’s ceremony which is due to take place in August.

Past winners The most recent Rescue Cat Awards took place alongside the Tutankhamun Exhibition at London’s O2 Arena in 2008 with Suffolk cat, Speedy claiming the overall title. Speedy is a true heroine to her owner, Christine Payne, who suffers from a range of health conditions including progressive spinal ataxia and epilepsy which means she is housebound and prone to sudden seizures. Speedy is able to detect when Christine is going to suffer a seizure and acts as an early warning system to her parents. She then stays with Christine to help her recover and provides much-needed company.

Speedy isn’t alone in being a lifeline to her owner, however.

Tee Cee who won the overall title in 2006 is also able to detect when his owner is about to suffer an epileptic seizure while Chrissie who was 2004’s Rescue Cat of the Year turned her talents to keeping children company in a hospital ward.

As well as moggies with people skills, there have been

50 The Cat Spring 2010

numerous stories of bravery. In 2004, Birmingham cat, Felix survived a vicious attack by a poacher after which 35 pellets were removed from his body. Four years later another Felix cheated death twice after surviving being caught in the blades of a combine harvester and then contracting tetanus.

The venue Dramatic stories like these need a fitting venue and it was always going to be a challenge to find one that had both the pull and a feline theme that 2008’s event boasted, but we have another location that should capture the imagination of cat lovers. The New London Theatre which was home to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats for a record-breaking 21 years from its opening night in 1981 will play host to tales of feline bravery, courage and survival.

This particular production is not the limit of moggies’ relationship with the West End, however. No, we’re not talking about runs of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or The Mousetrap here; there have been several moggies in Theatreland – and beyond, for that matter – over the years. Beerbohm was the resident cat at the Gielgud and was so well thought of among thespians that, when he died, an obituary was printed on the front cover of The Stage and his portrait hung in the foyer while Boy Cat once quite literally trod the boards during a production of Pygmalion at the Albery!

With the stage set and the players soon to be cast, this year’s Rescue Cat Awards promise to be an event to remember. So if you know a cat who has saved a life, survived a challenging ordeal or has been a best friend to someone in need then act now! We are looking forward to receiving your entries – check out the categories to the right then visit the Rescue Cat Awards pages of our website.

Rescue Cat Awards 2010 Photo: Phillippa Gedge Photography

The winners of the 2008 awards are joined on stage by the celebrity judges and CP Chief Executive, Peter Hepburn

Photo: UNP

The categories Hero Cat Cats that have saved the day!

Ultimate Survivor Tales of feline survival after those nine lives have been spent Best Friends Where a best feline friend has radically improved the quality of human life Most Incredible Story Belief-defying, true stories. If only puss could talk!

Deadline for entries: 27

May 2010

Our celebrity judges will select one winner for each of these four categories while a fifth cat from the entries received will be awarded the title of Rescue Cat of the Year!

The awards are open to any living cat rescued as a stray by its current owner or adopted from an animal welfare organisation. To enter your feline friend into this year’s Rescue Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/rescuecatawards or for an entry form, please phone 01825 741 911.

2008 winner, Speedy, with her owner, Christine Payne

The Cat  Spring 2010

51

Give your feet a rest and exercise your mind

Ten-minute crossword

Amusing Heather Me, me, miaow!

Across 1 Formerly (4) 3 Deathless (8) 9 Three-pronged spear (7) 10 Cast, shed (5) 11 Prohibited (5) 12 Stableman (6) 14 Not readily noticeable (13) 17 Language of the Middle East (6) 19 Take forcibly (5) 22 Electronic communication (1-4) 23 Without assistance (7) 24 Young person (8) 25 Slender rod (4)

Down 1 Go far ahead of (8) 2 An upward slope (5) 4 Movie (6,7) 5 Group of eight performers (5) 6 Underwater projectile (7) 7 Grassed area (4) 8 Fame (6) 13 Moved up (8) 15 Slaughter (7) 16 Free-and-easy (6) 18 Strong very light wood (5) 20 Asian country (5) 21 Period of fasting before Easter (4)

To win one of these three etched wine glasses, complete our crossword correctly, rearrange the shaded letters and find the composer then send it – or a photocopy – along with your name and address to: Crossword Competition, The Cat, NCC, Haywards Heath, Sussex RH17 7TT. Alternatively email the answer with your name and address to us at competitions@cats.org.uk with Crossword in the subject header. Winners will be drawn on 16 April 2010.

The prizes are kindly sponsored by The Cat Gallery.

Visit www.thecatgallery.co.uk or phone 01904 413 000 to request a catalogue.

After many years of taking in and rehoming cats, I can honestly say there are many more kind people than ghastly ones. It would be foolish to say that there is another group that are nearly as bad as the ‘ghastlies’, but it can sometimes seem that way at the end of a long day.

One lady recently risked life and limb by telling me that she couldn’t possibly rescue cats and kittens because she loved them so much and it would upset her too much to see them hungry or frightened. Now, if somebody thinks that rescuing cats is not for them, that’s fine. What isn’t so good is the inference that they are prevented from doing so because they are too sensitive and made of finer stuff. Now, I might look a bit on the stodgy side in my cat pen clothes, but underneath lurks an emotional wreck.

Then there are those that spend three hours in the pens before announcing that they would love to give a home to Pudding if only he had four white paws instead of three.

Or the people who desperately want a long haired cat but thought they would come and see a short haired one – presumably because its fur might have grown by the time they got here.

Or the people who could give a wonderful home to a pedigree kitten and are surprised that the cat pens are full of middle-aged moggies.

But then the phone rings and somebody says those magic words, ‘I just want to give a needy cat a good home,’ and suddenly there are bluebirds and rainbows all over the place.

Heather Cook

Last issue’s winners: Georgina King from Halifax, West Yorkshire; Lois Hope from Stalybridge, Cheshire; Dorothy Bailey from Kendal, Cumbria.

Answers to Winter Crossword on page 39.

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The Cat Spring 2010

Purr ‘n’ Fur

In 1999, a white-and-black kitten was found stuck in a hedge close by the church. In spite of his earlier feelings, Father John found himself taking on a new church cat. The church, its yard and rural surroundings make an ideal spot for cats, and Miss Mac quickly made herself at home. She also started to take a full part in church life, loving to attend weddings, baptisms and funerals and often attending Communion, when she would sit in front of the altar so that parishioners had to sidestep around her when they came forward for the sacrament. She liked to lap holy water from the stoop by the church entrance and loved sleeping in the straw of the crib at Christmas time.

One warm evening in August 2004, Father John recalls seeing the feline author sitting on the stone wall opposite the church, but he thought it was a bit early to call her in for the night. He never saw her again. No one knows what happened.

The next church cat was Ko-Ko, a very handsome tabby-andwhite gentleman who happily took over Miss Mac’s duties.

He was born on a farm and was homed to Dunsop Bridge as a kitten, but was left behind when his owners moved. He was begging around the village and the local gamekeeper thought of Father John. The rest, as they say, is history and in November 2004 Ko-Ko moved in. He liked to summon Father John to prayer at an early hour – and get his breakfast, of course! – and quite often joined him at worship. He went into the church during Mass, wrapped himself around the priest’s feet or even joined him at the altar – or simply trotted in, sat on the pew next to him and purred! He sounded a real character, but sadly he was run over near the church in November 2008. “I still miss him very much,” says Father John, who continues the story.

“Mungojerrie came to St Hubert’s on 15 December 2008. He is a male short haired cat, velvety black but with ever so slight a suggestion of a white clerical-style collar. He has a very distinguished bearing and almost sabre shaped upper teeth.

“He was found abandoned near a car park in a neighbouring village. I was asked if I would take him for three weeks over Christmas. I knew that once he arrived here I would not wish to part with him. Of course, he has been here ever since!

Like his predecessors he soon discovered the holy water font next to the door of the church and this has become a source of refreshment for him. Similarly, following in the pawsteps of his predecessors, he comes to Mass frequently and often sits on a bench in the middle of the congregation, watching and listening to all that is going on, or crouches down near the altar, or has a wash, or sits on the altar server’s knee, or sits on my knee, or even jumps on the altar from time to time.”

Extract taken from www.purr-n-fur.org.uk by Patrick Roberts, log on to read more of Patrick’s feline fables, folios and fun!

Illustration: Rasoul Hudda

The church of St Hubert’s is in the small village of Dunsop Bridge, in a beautiful and fairly remote area in the county of Lancashire. The parish priest, Father John Chaloner, has had several cats that came to unfortunate ends and he wasn’t seeking to repeat the sorrow of their loss by taking in another.

However, things don’t always work out...

Sudoku Fill in the empty cells so that the digits 1 through to 9 appear: • only once in each row • only once in each column • only once in each 3x3 box (shown by the thicker lines)

Cats are the most enlightened creatures, and one particular Zen Master trains harder than most...

...yoga after breakfast...

...and meditation for the rest of the day! r! purr

ch! stret

A.P Tentpeg 2010

Answers appear on page 39.

lick!

the cat with no home Yoga before breakfast...

The Cat Spring 2010

53

pawsforthought

The healing touch Maggie Stoker’s cat Barney has made a real difference to so many…

G

54

The Cat Spring 2010

register and our local Co-ordinator, Ann Foss, was delighted to double the number of cats registered in her part of Surrey – previously only one. I recently heard that Barney is now one of four cats in the area.

We were offered Sutton Lodge, a nursing home in Weybridge, only a few miles from where Barney and I live.

Barney was a little stressed on his first visit but, since then, has relaxed enormously. He has a number of regular residents on his visits, some who are in their rooms and others in the large lounge.

Several of the residents wait eagerly for his visits and love to watch him explore their cupboards or under their beds – they are delighted when I disappear under their beds to retrieve Barney.

We had an especially rewarding visit with one lady who was on a short-term visit. She was very anxious but stroking Barney was immensely calming. After a few minutes she was telling us all sorts of tales from her youth, much to the delight of the staff.

More recently, Barney and I visited a special needs school.

A group of four PAT dogs had been asked to visit but one little boy had also asked for a cat. This particular pupil has severe problems but is besotted with cats. It was a real joy to see his face light up when he stroked Barney and felt his ears and paws. He spent the whole hour of our visit with Barney, talking gently to him and making the most of their time together.

CP has given me many wonderful companions over the last 20 years, but it is heart warming to see how Barney brings joy to so many extra lives over the last few months. I hope that the visits continue for many years to come. If any other cat lovers feel their cat might make a suitable PAT cat, it is a wonderful thing to do.

For more information on Pets As Therapy visit www.petsastherapy.org or phone 01844 345 445.

Illustration: Rasoul Hudda

etting a Cats Protection cat can lead to some very unusual results. Once a terrified stray, our CP cat, Barney, is now a much-loved visitor to a local nursing home and is registered with Pets As Therapy (PAT).

I adopted Barney from the Epsom & Ewell Branch three years ago. He had been found in a barn near Dorking – hence his new name – and had been fostered by Angela Neale.

He spent his first few weeks locked in a frightened world, refusing to accept human contact. Just as Angela was about to accept he would never make a house cat, he seemed to realise there was a better way and found that humans were the key to a well-fed and happier life.

When I first saw him in early July 2006, he was still very thin but was literally bouncing with energy and enthusiasm. The first memory I have is a grey blur leaping onto the shelf of his pen and skidding along slap bang into my arm.

He was so keen to be touched and cuddled that he grabbed my hand with his teeth to bring it closer. At first I thought this was a sign he might be a biter but Angela made me realise he just loves to be touched all the time and is sometimes overenthusiastic.

When he got home, Barney then spent the first three weeks hunched in his igloo peering out nervously. He only came out to feed or use his litter tray. Things picked up when we adopted another cat from Angela. Unfortunately our second cat had died shortly after the first and Angela found us a little black scrap we called Wilfred after the war poet, Wilfred Owen – since we adopted him on Remembrance Sunday.

Barney took Wilfred under his paw – literally – licking him all over and sitting on him full length to make sure he couldn’t get away. They soon became firm friends and regularly lick and groom each other while cuddled up on an armchair in front of the TV. Barney is still very protective of Wilfred and will often go out at night to bring him back at bedtime when I ask him to “go find Wilfy.”

Barney is definitely a cuddle-cat and loves nothing more than to be on my shoulder nudging into my neck. If he wants a stroke, he jumps up and pulls my hand down to his head.

We suspect he has a lot of British blue in him and the breed is well known for its affectionate nature.

It was his love of human contact that I thought might make him a good Pets As Therapy cat. I had heard about PAT and knew about their dog visiting but didn’t know if they also used cats. To my delight, we were accepted with Barney. There are only 100 or so cats on the Pets As Therapy

Cats Protection in focus Contents Page 56

Spotlight… take a closer look at the work of Cats Protection branches around the UK

Page 58

Messageboard… cats needing homes, branches needing volunteers and thank yous to those who’ve helped

Page 60

Diary of events… coffee mornings, homing shows, photo competitions, car boot sales, fairs, bazaars and even the odd motorbike rally! Find out what’s going on in your area Page 62

Contacts… find a Cats Protection branch, adoption centre or charity shop near you

Can you help?

Our branches are always in need of donations, whether it be in the form of funds or bric-a-brac for them to sell on. Many need volunteers to help with a range of different tasks and, of course, loving new homes for the cats in their care.

If you think you could help, you can find your nearest branch by visiting www.cats.org.uk by phoning 03000 12 12 12 or by turning to the contacts section of this issue.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest feline welfare charity with over 250 volunteer-run branches and 28 adoption centres across the country, plus the Sussex-based National Cat Centre. We rehome unwanted and abandoned cats, promote neutering and raise awareness of feline welfare issues throughout the UK. In this section, you can find out more about our work near you.

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55

Spotlight A selection of tales from our branches and adoption centres...

Help us help Charlie

After

By Atherton & Wigan Metro Charlie had a large hole in his neck when he came into our care in September. He has already had one operation and needs a second surgery.

If this fails, he will need skin grafts and this could cost over £1,800.

He has already lost an eye at some stage in his life and does not seem to have been neutered either so any help with his vet bills would be gratefully appreciated. Cheques should be made payable to Atherton & Wigan Metro Cats Protection and sent to Betty Jones, Branch Treasurer, 3 Rosedale Drive, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 2TN.

A Christmas Carol

By Maidenhead, Slough & District

Remembering Mr Hyde

By Stockport Those of you who remember Mr Hyde when he first arrived – The Cat, Autumn 2008 – will recognise the ‘before’ picture when he was brought to us in a very poor state. With care and attention Mr Hyde blossomed into a clean and wonderful cat that loved life and people. He was just happy to sit in the sun, sharing his affection with anyone who chose to speak to him.

Some time later, sadly his health started to deteriorate and despite indepth veterinary intervention, we took advice from our vets to seek a referral.

Unfortunately this revealed an aggressive tumour, which had spread from his nasal passage.

Reluctantly Mr Hyde had to be put to sleep. He will be missed very much. Any contributions in memory of Mr Hyde would help cover the bill for his treatment and would help with other unfortunate cats in similar situations. Donations can be sent to Stockport Cats Protection c/o Ms J Goodman, 3 Hexworth Walk, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3DF.

56 The Cat Spring 2010

Carol had a lucky escape when we rescued her from the freezing cold weather over Christmas. Our Co-ordinator, Peter Simmonds, received a call from a concerned member of the public in Slough who had spotted the cat sitting motionless and apparently freezing to death. Although it was Christmas Eve, Peter immediately went to the rescue.

Carol was crouched very still and icicles had formed on her fur. She was obviously homeless so he picked her up and took her straight to a vet for a full examination. She is now recovering well with food, warmth and affection and appears to be none the worse for her ordeal and will be looking for a new home soon. The branch also needs financial support to fund vital rescue work without which cats like Carol and Noelle – see page 58 – would die.

If you are able to make a donation, please send a cheque made payable to Cats Protection Maidenhead, Slough & District to CP Treasurer, CP, c/o 44 Switchback Road, Maidenhead SL6 7PZ. Alternatively, donate via www.maidenhead.cats.org.uk

Ways we help: Rehoming • Neutering • Raising awareness

A matching pair

By Wharfe Valley

No more ‘whingey’ for Gingey!

By Luton, Dunstable & District Gingey arrived at our branch as a stray. He was in a terrible condition, his lovely long ginger fur was totally matted and he had quite a nasty injury to one of his eyes.

Almost all of his fur had to be shaved off and he received treatment to his eye, along with lots of TLC from his Fosterers while his fur was regrowing, but he was a very timid cat and had the most peculiar miaow when people approached him which could be a little off-putting to potential new owners.

Our branch managed to get a free feature in our local press asking for new volunteers along with a photo of Gingey which resulted in him being offered a new home by one reader who had a lot of experience in cat care. Gingey was with us for a few months and we were all really pleased he has found the loving new home which he deserves.

Do you want chips with that?

By Eltham, Sidcup & District When a pretty tortie was found lost in a back garden, we suspected she might have an owner, but nobody came forward when posters were put up in the area so ‘Mittens’, as we called the one-year-old, was put up for adoption.

We had checked for a microchip with no luck, but another check six weeks later, this time not just round her neck where they are usually implanted, found one.

We missed it because it had moved down to the side of her body. A phone call to her owners followed. They were delighted but had no idea how the cat, real name Pickles, had ended up a mile away. They had been desperately missing her, as had their other cat. An emotional reunion followed, with tears from all members of the family – including the men – as they collected Pickles from us. So all ended well but she did teach us a valuable lesson: check all over a cat’s body for a chip as they can move to the most unexpected places!

Regular readers may remember Ike – The Cat, Winter 2009 – who, after a very bad start in life, has never looked back since he arrived with us.

He is now a lively playful naughty boy, just what a sixmonth-old kitten should be like and a far cry from the pitiful scrap we took in four months ago. If only we had been in time to save his sister. All Ike needed was some vet treatment and his fleas zapping but, more importantly, some proper food and TLC. He even featured on the Cats Protection Advent Calendar. We then received the call we had been waiting for, the perfect home for Ike. There are lots of people around to make sure he will be royally entertained and they didn’t mind that Ike had slightly bent back legs due to his previous malnutrition. “A matching pair,” the adopters said as their dog has similar shaped legs!

Laura’s on the road to happiness

By Crawley, Reigate & District Laura was spotted by a kindly lorry driver a few days before Christmas; she was dithering about in the middle of a road and clearly in trouble. She was found to have high blood pressure and to be blind and this appeared to be a recent problem as she was not spatially aware like a cat who had been blind for some time would be.

We found an experienced, indoor, safe foster environment for her where her confident character and friendly, affectionate nature soon revealed themselves. She had no concerns about going upstairs but is still adjusting to getting about with no visual clues but cats are very adaptable and already her balance and coordination are improving. She loves to be cuddled and will immediately drape herself over your left shoulder when picked up, purring loudly – this is clearly something she’s used to doing, so it seems she has been loved at some time.

By happy coincidence, we carried out a home visit just after Christmas – a couple who have a large, luxury secondfloor flat. They were looking for an indoor-only cat and were willing to take an older and/or disabled one. They met Laura on New Year’s Day, fell in love and she is now settling in to her new home with them.

Find your local Cats Protection: 03000 12 12 12 • www.cats.org.uk

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57

Messageboard from your local Cats Protection...

Swansea & District

Tiger

Male, 5 years

Dereham Adoption Centre

Noelle was found wandering in Maidenhead by a member of the public on Christmas Day. She has been checked over by vets and has been given a clean bill of health. She has also been neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and is looking for a new owner

Tilly

Female, adult

Tiger is a very friendly, big, cuddly, neutered, male cat.

Unfortunately he has tested positive for FIV so needs an indoor home with other FIV positive cats or on his own. He is in good health otherwise and could live for many years to come.

☎☎ 01792 208 808

Reading (East), Wokingham & Bracknell

Chocolate

Female, 2-3 years Chocolate – tortie, shorthaired – needs a nice new home where she can settle. She is friendly, likes to be stroked, but is not over keen on being picked up.

She would be better suited to older children and would need to be the only cat in the household.

☎☎ 08453 714 212

Blackburn & District

Sooty

Male, 6 months

☎☎ 01628 620 909

Tilly came here because her owner was unable to look after her anymore. She does not like other cats or dogs and would be suited to a quiet home without children. She enjoys a fuss and likes to have a lap to sit on; she also really enjoys chasing her toys around her pen!

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The Cat Spring 2010

Birmingham Adoption Centre

Hamble

Male, 5 years

Harvey & Holly

Male and female, 14 years

Hamble is a lovely lad who desperately needs a home as he has been at the centre for nearly two years. He is on daily medication for a heart murmur and needs a more mature household.

☎☎ 01362 687 919

West Oxfordshire

☎☎ 01564 822 020

George

Male, 18 months

George has overcome a bladder problem and illness after licking a paw that had accidentally trodden in some disinfectant. He is fine now, although he now dribbles when he cleans! He is a wonderful cat and deserves a caring, loving home.

Harvey and Holly are siblings and need to be homed together. They both love affection but will have to be fed a special diet as they are overweight. They would make great and loving companions for a wide range of people including families with young children.

Isle of Wight Adoption Centre

Sher & Marley

Female and male, 13 years and 12 years

☎☎ 01925 411 160

Blackburn & District

Amber

Adorable mum and son that love to snuggle up to each other. Sher is a little timid but enjoys fuss. Marley is more independent and loves to be brushed. They are looking for a kind and loving home together.

Maidenhead, Slough & District

☎☎ 01254 580 642

☎☎ 01254 580 642

Warrington Adoption Centre

☎☎ 01993 831 350

Sooty is rather timid and recently moved into foster care with Amber. He is looking for a new family who can give him lots of attention and help him build his confidence.

spend time with her. She will reward them with lots of affection and a warm lap all winter.

Noelle

☎☎ 01983 562 609

Female, kitten

Female, 6 months Amber has recently been taken into foster care with Sooty. She is very timid and needs a family who will

Ways we help: Rehoming • Neutering • Raising awareness

uton, Dunstable & District Branch L is seeking new volunteers to help out at fundraising events. This would be mostly at weekends and could be anything from car boot sales, supermarket collections, school fêtes and bazaars to local village carnivals and market stalls to mention just a few. We are a small, friendly group but desperately need more help with our events. Please phone 08453 712 746. eading (East), Wokingham & R Bracknell Branch is urgently looking for a volunteer to order, store and occasionally deliver cat food and litter to supply to all the local Fosterers.

This person must be able to store the supplies and be available for collections. If you are interested and would like to learn more about the position, please see the Contact Us page on www.readingeast.cats.org.uk or phone 08453 714 212. ea Valley Branch is also looking for a L Helpline Operator. We need volunteers to take calls and respond to voicemail on our Helpline for one or more days per week, talking to the public and referring calls to relevant branch volunteers. We will advise you and help you understand how the branch works before taking the calls. If you are able to help, please phone 08453 712 740.

ea Valley Branch is looking for L Fosterers to look after cats temporarily in our care in specially-designed pens in their back gardens. We really need more caring people to join them.

If you can help, please phone us on 08453 712 740. almouth, Helston & District Branch F urgently requires a Fundraising Co-ordinator to arrange and plan the branch’s fundraising activities for 2010.

We are also looking for a volunteer to organise our street and store collections, a Fairs Organiser to arrange our Easter and Christmas Fairs and another volunteer to order and sell CP goods. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Shirley, Branch Co-ordinator on 08453 712 729 or email catsfalmouthhelston@live.com asingstoke & District Branch is B looking for volunteers in all areas.

To find out more, please email info@basingstoke-cats.org.uk or phone Hilary on 01256 346 743. uildford & Godalming Branch is G seeking additional Fosterers. If you have a spare room or are interested in having a pen in your garden we would be delighted to hear from you. Please phone 01483 422 529 or email heather. brice@hotmail.co.uk

To Trevor Shipp who has organised the food and litter deliveries and storage over several years for Reading (East), Wokingham & Bracknell Branch. Trevor has done this in an extremely efficient way and it’s going to be hard to find a replacement.

To everyone who supported the Friends of Bredhurst Cat Adoption Centre Christmas Bazaar on 21 November in Wigmore, enabling us to raise nearly £600 of much needed money for the cats.

To Yvonne Dunning and Gerry for all their hard work and generosity in organising Guildford & Godalming Branch’s Christmas raffle. We really appreciate what you do!

Once again, to Jean and Ken Miller for hosting the Guildford & Godalming Branch Christmas fair in their beautiful barn. It is the most wonderful setting. Thanks also for your help on the day.

To everyone who sent donations and best wishes to Wharfe Valley Branch for Ike – The Cat, Winter 2009 and page 57 of this issue. It all resulted in a very happy ending to a very sad story.

uildford & Godalming Branch is G also seeking a Co-ordinator. You must be an excellent communicator, capable of leading and delegating and be able to build a rapport with volunteers and members of the public. To find out more, phone 01483 422 529 or email heather.brice@hotmail.co.uk eignbridge & Totnes Branch is T looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with outdoor fundraising in the South Hams & Teignbridge areas during 2010. We also need a Collection Box Co-ordinator, New Volunteer Mentor and help with transport. For more information please phone Barbara on 08453 71 2727. lackburn & District Branch is in B need of people who could help with anything from administration and publicity to fostering, driving and fundraising. If you are interested in joining this new branch, please leave a message on 01254 580 642. oss on Wye Branch which covers the R HR9 postcode area is urgently recruiting for the following roles: Fundraising Officer, Fundraisers, Recruitment Officers, Fosterers, Collecting Boxes Officer and Lost & Found Officer. If you are interested in joining this new branch, please phone Isabel the branch Co-ordinator on 08453 712 763.

To everyone who helped Swindon Branch throughout 2009 and also to the Co-operative Supermarkets in Highworth and Old Town Swindon which both have food bins which are always full. We also had collection days at both of the main Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the area and, over two weekends, collected £830 and 680 tins of cat food!

Deadlines All branches are encouraged to send in stories and diary dates for every issue.

The deadlines for the next three issues are: • 19 March – Summer 2010 • 18 June – Autumn 2010 • 18 September – Winter 2010 Please send your entries to: CP in Focus, Editorial Team, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT or email editorial@cats.org.uk. CP Volunteers and staff can now submit their stories online via CatNav. Log on at http://extranet.cats.org.uk

Find your local Cats Protection: 03000 12 12 12 • www.cats.org.uk

The Cat Spring 2010 59

Diary of events Find out what’s going on near you...

ENGLAND BERKSHIRE Reading (East), Wokingham & Bracknell Fairs 13 March: Spring Fair, Carnation Hall, Chavey Down; 1-4pm.

Monthly Meetings 29 March: Our Lady of Peace (OLOP) Church Hall, Wokingham Road, Earley (Earley Cross Roads), RG6 7DA; 8pm.

26 April: As above.

24 May: As above.

Quiz 27 February: St Paul’s Parish Hall, Wokingham, RG41 1EH. Entrance by ticket only.

Stalls 25 March: Woodley Pagoda, Woodley Shopping Centre, Reading RG5 3JJ; all day from 8am. On a monthly basis we hold a second-hand sale of goods in a covered pagoda-style area in the centre of Woodley Shopping Precinct.

29 April: As above.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE High Wycombe & South Bucks Collections 12 March: Beaconsfield Stall, Council Green; 9am3pm, dependent on weather conditions.

Milton Keynes & District Collections 27 March: Community Desk, Milton Keynes Shopping Centre; 9am-5pm.

27-28 March: Collection outside Morrisons Store, Westcroft; 11am-4.30pm.

25 April: Community Desk, Milton Keynes Shopping Centre; 9am-5pm.

8-9 May: Stoke Goldington Steam Rally; 10am-5pm.

29 May: Community Desk, Milton Keynes Shopping Centre; 9am-5pm.

60 The Cat Spring 2010

CHESHIRE

ESSEX

SURREY

Stockport

Harlow, Epping Forest & District

Sutton & Cheam

Cat Show May – date tbc: Manchester Cat Show, GH Carnell Leisure Centre, Kingsway Park, Urmston.

Fairs 27 March: Hazel Grove, United Reformed Hall, Commercial Road; 10am-12.30pm.

24 April: Cheadle Hulme, Methodist Church Hall, Ramilies Ave; 10am-12.30pm.

8 May: Woodley, Civic Hall, Hyde Road; 10am-12.30pm.

Any offers of help, phone 0161 439 1274 or email stockport.cp@hotmail.com

DEVON East Devon Stalls 6 March: Coffee & cat chat morning, St. Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook, Sidmouth – NB change of venue; 10am-12noon.

20 March: Lions Club table top sale, The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton; 10am-12noon.

17 April: Spring bazaar/ coffee morning, The Victory Hall, Whimple; 10am-12noon.

16 May: Cream teas in the garden, Fluxton Farm Sanctuary, nr. Ottery St. Mary; 3-5pm.

29 May: Lions Gala Week Fête, The Green, Budleigh Salterton.

Teignbridge & Totnes Fayres 20 March: Spring Fayre, Methodist Church Hall, Bovey Tracey; 10am-12.30pm.

EAST SUSSEX Friends of Eastbourne Fayres 8 May: Spring Fayre, Eastbourne Adoption Centre, Marshfoot Lane, Hailsham; 12noon-3pm.

Collections 3 April: Charity car park, Harlow College.

Rayleigh, Castle Point & District Homing Shows 27 February: WRVS Hall, Richmond Avenue, Benfleet; 10.30am-1pm.

27 March: Rayleigh Methodist Hall, Eastwood Rd, Rayleigh; 10.30am-1pm.

HAMPSHIRE Basingstoke & District Fairs 13 March: Spring Fair, Ambrose Allen Centre, Tadley; 1.30-3.30pm.

Features our annual photo competition.

HERTFORDSHIRE Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead Quiz 13 March: Northchurch Social Centre, Bell Lane; doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Stalls 24 April: Bric-a-Brac, Books & Clothes Sale, St. Helier Methodist Church Hall, Green Lane, Morden; 10-11.30am. 30p admission.

22 May: As above.

Guildford & Godalming Collections 27 March: Secretts Garden Centre and Farm Shop, Chapel Lane, Milford.

24 April: Sainsbury’s, Godalming. Collection, advice and information.

WILTSHIRE Salisbury London Marathon 25 April: Local vet Sanjay from Hampton Park Vets is running the London Marathon with proceeds going to the Salisbury Branch of Cats Protection.

We all wish him the best of luck!

KENT Friends of Bredhurst Fairs 9 May: Spring Craft Fair, Bredhurst Adoption Centre, Matts Hill Road, Hartlip, Sittingbourne; 11am-4pm.

A great opportunity to buy lots of Kentish craft items as well as CP goods, bric-a-brac, books, tombola and raffles, refreshments and barbecue.

Not forgetting the chance to meet some of the lovely cats looking for good homes!

Free parking nearby and entrance only 50p. A limited number of craft tables are available at £10 each. For more information, please contact Linda on 01634 377 267 or email lindalisgarten@ hotmail.co.uk

Ways we help: Rehoming • Neutering • Raising awareness

Talking Cat Spring 2010

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An audio version of this magazine is available free to all subscribers.

Contact Supporter Services on 0800 917 2287 or email

supporterservices@cats.org.uk to request your copy.

Contacts

Find your nearest Cats Protection branch, adoption centre or charity shop...

England South East Bredhurst Kent *Matts * Hill Road, Hartlip, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7XA ☎☎ 01634 232 471 88www.bredhurstkent.cats.org.uk Friends of Bredhurst Kent Adoption Centre Chelmsford & District *Willow * Grove, Deadmans Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford CM2 8LZ ☎☎ 01245 478 389 Eastbourne *63 * Marshfoot Lane, Hailsham, * East Sussex BN27 2RB ☎☎ 01323 440 101 88www.eastbourne.cats.org.uk Haslemere *Chase * Lodge Studio, Hammer Lane, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1QD ☎☎ 01428 604 297 National Cat Adoption Centre *Chelwood * Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7TT ☎☎ 08707 708 650 88www.ncac.cats.org.uk Friends of the National Cat Centre North London *135 * Junction Road, Archway,* Greater London N19 5PX ☎☎ 0207 272 6048 Basildon, Brentwood & District ☎☎ 01268 285 778 88www.bascats.org.uk

Croydon ☎☎ 0208 763 0072 88www.croydoncpcats.org.uk

Mid Sussex ☎☎ 01444 414 884 88www.midsussex.cats.org.uk

Dover, Deal & Sandwich ☎☎ 08453 712 748

Milton Keynes & District ☎☎ 01296 738 558 88www.mkcats.org.uk

Ealing & West London ☎☎ 0208 752 0793

North Hertfordshire ☎☎ 01438 228 877 88www.northherts.cats.org.uk

East Surrey ☎☎ 08453 712 739 88www.eastsurrey.cats.org.uk

Rayleigh, Castle Point & District ☎☎ 01268 750 831 88www.catsrayleigh.org.uk

Eastbourne & District ☎☎ 01323 440 101 88www.eastbourne.cats.org.uk

Romford & District ☎☎ 01708 451 341 88www.romford.cats.org.uk

Eltham, Sidcup & District ☎☎ 01689 815 475 88www.elthamsidcup.cats.org.uk Epsom, Ewell & District ☎☎ 01737 640 882 88www.epsomcatsprotection.org.uk

St Albans & District ☎☎ 08453 712 064 88www.stalbans.cats.org.uk

Folkestone & Hythe ☎☎ 01303 237 744 88www.folkestonehythe.cats.org.uk

Southend & District ☎☎ 01702 710 630 88www.catsprotectionsouthend.pwp. blueyonder.co.uk

Great Amwell & District ☎☎ 01992 467 826 88www.greatamwell.cats.org.uk

Sutton & Cheam ☎☎ 0208 330 0176 88www.sutton.cats.org.uk

Greenwich ☎☎ 0208 8551 027 88www.catsgn.org.uk

Swale ☎☎ 01795 664 194 Tendring & District ☎☎ 08453 712 742 88www.tendringcats.org.uk

Guildford & Godalming ☎☎ 01483 422 529 88www.guildford.cats.org.uk

Tenterden & District ☎☎ 01797 366 379 88www.tenterdencats.org.uk

Harlow, Epping Forest & District ☎☎ 01992 579 539 88www.harlow.cats.org.uk

Three Rivers & Watford ☎☎ 01923 283 338 88www.threerivers.cats.org.uk

Hastings & District ☎☎ 01424 754 328

Thurrock & District ☎☎ 08453 712 752

Bexley, Dartford & Darenth Valley ☎☎ 01322 611 911 88www.bexleycatsprotection.co.uk

Hemel Hempstead & Berkhamsted ☎☎ 08453 711 851 88www.dacorum.cats.org.uk

Brighton & Hove City ☎☎ 01273 279 138 88www.brightoncatsprotection.org.uk

Hendon, Finchley & Mill Hill ☎☎ 0208 952 1350 88www.hendon.cats.org.uk

Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough & District ☎☎ 01892 516 377 88www.uckfield.cats.org.uk

Bromley ☎☎ 0208 402 8860 88www.bromleycatsprotection.org.uk

High Wycombe & South Bucks ☎☎ 01494 448 849 88www.buckscats.org.uk

Woking & District ☎☎ 01483 721 700 88www.woking.cats.org.uk

Camberley & District ☎☎ 08453 712 745

Hillingdon ☎☎ 01895 443 637 88www.hillingdon.cats.org.uk

Worthing & District ☎☎ 01903 200 332 88www.worthingcatsprotection.org.uk

Hornchurch & District ☎☎ 01708 755 211 88www.hornchurch.cats.org.uk

Chichester *7a * Crane Street, Chichester, * West Sussex P019 1LH ☎☎ 01243 774 737

Canterbury & District ☎☎ 01227 266 838 88www.canterbury.cats.org.uk Chelmsford & District ☎☎ 01245 478 389 88www.chelmsfordcatsprotection.co.uk Chichester, Bognor Regis & District ☎☎ 08453 712 760 88www.chichester.cats.org.uk Chiltern ☎☎ 01296 680 397 88www.chiltern.cats.org.uk Colne Valley ☎☎ 08009 889 417 88www.colnevalley.com/cats.htm Crawley, Reigate & District ☎☎ 08453 712 734 88www.catsprotection.co.uk

62 The Cat Spring 2010

Horsham & District ☎☎ 08453 712 749 88www.horsham.cats.org.uk Lea Valley ☎☎ 08453 712 740 88www.leavalley.cats.org.uk Lewes, Seaford & District ☎☎ 01273 812 568 88www.lewes.cats.org.uk Maidstone ☎☎ 08453 712 758 88www.maidstone.cats.org.uk Medway & Gravesham ☎☎ 08453 712 757

Colne Valley **75 High Street, Halstead, * Essex CO9 2JD ☎☎ 01787 274 667 Croydon *13 * High Street, Purley, * Surrey CR8 2AF ☎☎ 0208 763 9898 Ealing & West London *3a * Albert Terrace, Pittshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1RL ☎☎ 0208 752 0793 East Surrey *20 * Chipstead Valley Road, * Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 2RA ☎☎ 0208 660 7475

Eastbourne & District *14 * Seaside Road, Eastbourne,* East Sussex BN21 3PA ☎☎ 01323 733 888 Eltham, Sidcup & District *14 * Tudor Parade, Well Hall Road,* Eltham, London SE9 6SX ☎☎ 0208 859 6009 Folkestone & Hythe *139a * High Street, Hythe, Kent * CT21 5JL ☎☎ 01303 238 661 Greenwich *18 * Old Dover Street, Blackheath,* London SE3 7BT ☎☎ 0208 858 2220 Hastings & District *43 * London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 6AJ ☎☎ 01424 203 778 Lea Valley *145 * Chase Side, Enfield,* Middlesex EN2 0PN ☎☎ 0208 367 4813 Maidstone *37 * Union Street, Maidstone,* Kent ME14 1DY ☎☎ 01622 688 665 Medway & Gravesham *34 * Canterbury Street, Gillingham,* Kent ME7 5TX ☎☎ 01634 571 270 *142 * Franklin Road, Gillingham, Medway ME7 4DG ☎☎ 01634 578 436 Tenterden & District *94a * High Street, Tenterden, * Kent TN30 6JB ☎☎ 01580 765 277 Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough & District *119 * Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QY ☎☎ 01892 531 428 Worthing & District *35 * Rowlands Road, Worthing,* West Sussex BN11 3JJ ☎☎ 01903 200 332

South & South West Exeter Axhayes *Little * Hill Cottage, Clyst Honiton, Exeter, Devon EX5 2HS ☎☎ 01395 232 377 Isle of Wight *122 * Marlborough Road, Ryde,* Isle of Wight PO33 1AW ☎☎ 01983 562 609 Friends of Isle of Wight Adoption Centre Newbury & District *Heatherpine, * Curridge Road, Curridge, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9DH ☎☎ 01635 200 111 Truro *Point * Road, Carnon Downs, * Truro, Cornwall TR3 6JN ☎☎ 01872 870 575

Ways we help: Rehoming • Neutering • Raising awareness

Andover & District ☎☎ 01256 892 019 88www.andovercats.org.uk

Maidenhead, Slough & District ☎☎ 01628 620 909 88www.maidenhead.cats.org.uk

Wootton Bassett & District ☎☎ 07928 674 433 88www.wootton.cats.org.uk

Barnstaple & District ☎☎ 01271 860 787 88www.barnstaple.cats.org.uk

Mere & Gillingham ☎☎ 01747 840 621 88www.mere-gillingham-cp.co.uk

Yeovil & District ☎☎ 01935 412 755 88www.yeovilcatsprotection.info

Basingstoke & District ☎☎ 01256 352 281 88www.basingstoke-cats.org.uk

Midsomer Norton & Radstock ☎☎ 01761 436 486 88www.midsomer.cats.org.uk

Bath & District ☎☎ 01179 861 467 88www.bath.cats.org.uk

Newbury & District ☎☎ 01635 200 111 88www.newbury.cats.org.uk

Bristol & District *272 * North Street, Bedminster,* Bristol BS3 1JA ☎☎ 0117 963 9028

Blandford & Sturminster Newton ☎☎ 01258 858 644 88www.blandfordcats.org.uk

Okehampton & District ☎☎ 08453 712 751 88www.okehampton.cats.org.uk

Bournemouth & District ☎☎ 01202 579 468 88www.bournemouthcats.org.uk

Oxford & District ☎☎ 01235 221 147

Bridgwater ☎☎ 01278 684 662

Plymouth ☎☎ 08453 712 753 88www.plymouth.cats.org.uk

Bristol & District ☎☎ 01179 665 428 88www.bristol.cats.org.uk

Portsmouth ☎☎ 08453 712 743 88www.portsmouth.cats.org.uk

Callington & District ☎☎ 01579 382 794 88www.callington.cats.org.uk

Reading & District ☎☎ 01189 403 005 88www.readinganddistrictcats.org

Cheltenham ☎☎ 08453 712 730 88www.catsprotection.net

Reading (East), Wokingham & Bracknell ☎☎ 08453 714 212 88www.readingeast.cats.org.uk

Cherwell ☎☎ 07716 596 212 88themurdybird@aol.com Cirencester, Tetbury & District ☎☎ 01285 641 289 88http://cirencats.tripod.com/

St Austell & District ☎☎ 01726 817 837 88www.staustell.cats.org.uk Salisbury & District ☎☎ 08453 712 068 88www.salisburycats.co.uk

East Devon ☎☎ 01404 811 089 88www.eastdevoncats.com

Southampton ☎☎ 08453 712 718 88www.southampton.cats.org.uk

Exeter ☎☎ 01392 276 291 88www.exeter.cats.org.uk

Stroud ☎☎ 01453 828 326 88www.stroud.cats.org.uk

Falmouth, Helston & District ☎☎ 08453 712 729 88www.falmouth.cats.org.uk

Swindon ☎☎ 01793 644 536 88www.swindon.cats.org.uk

Farnham & Wey Valley ☎☎ 01252 334 644 88www.weyvalley.cats.org.uk

Taunton & Wellington ☎☎ 01823 461 527 88www.taunton.cats.org.uk

Forest of Dean ☎☎ 01594 841 511 88www.cats-forestofdeam.co.uk

Teignbridge & Totnes ☎☎ 08453 712 723 88www.teignbridge.cats.org.uk

Frome & District ☎☎ 07733 390 345 88www.frome.cats.org.uk

Tewkesbury & District ☎☎ 01684 297 227 88www.tewkesbury.cats.org.uk

Glastonbury & Wells ☎☎ 01749 850 660 88www.stray-cat.co.uk

Torpoint & Rame Peninsular ☎☎ 01752 813 705

Gloucester ☎☎ 07891 112 654 88www. gloucester.cats.org.uk Gosport Town ☎☎ 02392 582 601 Holsworthy, Bideford & District ☎☎ 08453 712 717 88www.holsworthycats.org Honiton ☎☎ 01404 452 41 88www.honiton.cats.org.uk Launceston & District ☎☎ 01566 773 814 88www.launcestoncatsprotection.org

Torquay & District ☎☎ 01803 557 014 88www.torquay.cats.org.uk Truro & District ☎☎ 01209 861 134 ☎☎ 01872 275 402 (feral enquiries) 88www.trurodistrict.cats.org.uk West Dorset ☎☎ 01305 262 737 88www.westdorset.cats.org.uk Weston-Super-Mare & District ☎☎ 08453 712 066 West Oxfordshire ☎☎ 01993 831 350 Winchester & District ☎☎ 01962 883 536 or 01962 884 468

Bournemouth & District *333-335 * Charminster Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 9QR ☎☎ 01202 530 757 Cheltenham *20 * St James Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 2SH ☎☎ 01242 234 494 East Devon *72 * High Street, Sidmouth,* Devon EX10 8EQ ☎☎ 01395 513 394 Forest of Dean *The * Forest Cat, 28a Newerne Street, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 5RF ☎☎ 01594 841 848 Gloucester *15 * Broad Street, Newent, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL18 7AQ ☎☎ 01531 821 247 Honiton *137 * High Street, Honiton EX14 1LW ☎☎ 01404 423 12 Mere & Gillingham *Pothecarys, * High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AA Taunton & Wellington *48 * Bridge Street, Taunton,* Somerset TA1 1UD ☎☎ 01823 322 244 Truro & District *23 * Pydar Street, Truro,* Cornwall TR1 2AY ☎☎ 01872 276 351 88www.trurodistrict.cats.org.uk

Central Birmingham *Packhorse * Lane, Hollywood, Birmingham, West Midlands B47 5DH ☎☎ 01564 822 020 88www.birmingham.cats.org.uk Friends of Birmingham Adoption Centre Evesham *c/o * Dogs Trust Kennels, * 89 Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, Evesham, Worcester WR11 6RT ☎☎ 01386 833 343 88www.eveshamcpl.org Hereford *Cobhall * Villa, Allensmore, HR2 9BP ☎☎ 01432 277 543 Mansfield *Mansfield * Road, * Warsop, Mansfield, * Nottinghamshire NG20 0EF ☎☎ 01623 845 846 Nottingham *The * Gate House, New Farm Lane, Nuthall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG16 1DY ☎☎ 0115 938 6557

Find your local Cats Protection: 03000 12 12 12 • www.cats.org.uk

Ashfield & Amber Valley ☎☎ 01246 825 165 88www.freenetpages.co.uk/HP/ ashfieldcats/ Bedford & Biggleswade ☎☎ 08442 496 911 Burton on Trent ☎☎ 01283 511 454 Cannock & Burntwood ☎☎ 01543 279 641 88www.cannock.cats.org.uk Coventry ☎☎ 02476 251 491 88www.coventrycats.org.uk Evesham & District ☎☎ 01386 833 343 Halesowen & District ☎☎ 08453 712 062 88www.halesowen.cats.org.uk Kettering & Corby ☎☎ 01536 514 014 88www.kettering.cats.org.uk Leicester & District ☎☎ 01162 881 318 Lichfield ☎☎ 08453 712 741 88www.lichfield.cats.org.uk Ludlow & District ☎☎ 01584 874 171 88www.ludlow.cats.org.uk Luton, Dunstable & District ☎☎ 08453 712 746 88www.luton.cats.org.uk Mansfield & District ☎☎ 01623 845 846 Mid Warwickshire ☎☎ 01926 334 849 88www.midwarwick.cats.org.uk Northampton ☎☎ 08447 003 251 88www.catspro-northants.org.uk North Birmingham ☎☎ 0121 377 6302 88www.northbirmingham.cats.org.uk Nottingham ☎☎ 01159 386 557 88www.cp-nottingham.org Rugby ☎☎ 01788 570 010 88www.rugby.cats.org.uk South Birmingham ☎☎ 0121 444 4433 88www.southbham.cats.org.uk Stafford & District ☎☎ 01785 214 861 88www.stafford.cats.org.uk Stoke & Newcastle ☎☎ 01782 515167 88www.stoke.cats.org.uk Stourbridge & District ☎☎ 08448 848 520 88www.stourbridgecats.org.uk Telford & District ☎☎ 01952 201 167

KEY: Adoption Centre Branch Charity shop

The Cat Spring 2010 63

Walsall Borough ☎☎ 01922 682 005 88www. walsall.cats.org.uk

Breckland ☎☎ 01842 810 018 88www.cats.org.uk/branch/breckland

St Neots & District *10 * Cross Keys Mall, Market Square, St Neots PE19 2AR

Wellingborough & Rushden ☎☎ 08453 714 209 88www.wellrushcats.co.uk

Bury St Edmunds ☎☎ 01284 850 887 88www.cplbury.org.uk

Wolverhampton ☎☎ 01902 651 173 88www.wolverhampton.cats.org.uk

Cambridge ☎☎ 01223 441 880 88www.cambridge.cats.org.uk

Waveney *Beccles * Bazaar, 2 Blyburgate,* Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TA ☎☎ 01502 713 167

Worcester & District ☎☎ 01386 751 925 88www.worcestercats.org.uk

Chatteris, St Ives & District ☎☎ 01480 465 226 88www.chatteris.cats.org.uk

Bedford & Biggleswade *12 * The Springfield Centre, Kempton,* Bedfordshire MK42 7PR ☎☎ 01234 840 827

Dereham & District ☎☎ 01362 687 919 88www.derehamcats.org.uk

Coventry *34 * Far Gosford Street,* Coventry CV1 5DW ☎☎ 02476 222 105 Halesowen & District *9* High Street, Blackheath, Rowley Regis, West Midlands B65 0DT ☎☎ 0121 559 3135 Hereford *13 * Commercial Road,* Hereford HR1 2BB ☎☎ 01432 278 016 Ludlow & District *5* Old Street, Ludlow, * Shropshire SY8 1NW ☎☎ 01584 878 606 Mid-Warwickshire *5-7 * Abbey Court, Abbey End,* Kenilworth, Mid-Warwickshire * CV8 1QH ☎☎ 01926 850 054 South Birmingham *294 * Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7NH ☎☎ 0121 4412 480 Stafford & Disctrict *Market * Stall 48, St John’s Indoor Market, Stafford Stourbridge & District *27 * Lower High Street, * Stourbridge DY8 1TA ☎☎ 01384 422 208 Telford & District *Madeley * Centre Mall, Russell Square, Madeley, Telford TF7 5BB *75 * High Street, Broseley,* Telford TF12 5EX ☎☎ 01952 884 388 Wolverhampton *54 * Warstones Road, Penn, Wolverhampton WV4 4LP Worcester & District *53 * St Johns, Worcester WR2 5AG ☎☎ 01905 426 748

East Dereham *Hoe * Road Farm, Hoe Road, Longham, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 2RP ☎☎ 01362 687 919 Downham Market *Wards * Chase, Stowbridge, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE34 3NN ☎☎ 01366 382 311 Friends of Downham Market Adoption Centre Boston & District ☎☎ 01205 270 572 88www.boston.cats.org.uk

64 The Cat Spring 2010

Framlingham & Saxmundham ☎☎ 01728 723 499 88www.framandsax.cats.org.uk

Derby *White * Cottage, Long Lane, Dalbury Lees, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5BJ ☎☎ 01332 824 950 88www.derby.cats.org.uk

Harrogate & District ☎☎ 01423 889 598

Friends of Derby Adoption Centre

Lancaster & Morecambe ☎☎ 01524 850 112 88www.lancaster.cats.org.uk

York *582 * Huntington Road, Huntington,* York, North Yorkshire YO32 9QA ☎☎ 01904 760 356

Horncastle & District ☎☎ 01526 388 535 88www.horncastle.cats.org.uk Ipswich ☎☎ 08453 712 069 88www.ipswich.cats.org.uk

Adel & District ☎☎ 01132 610 694 88www.adel.cats.org.uk

Louth & Mablethorpe ☎☎ 01507 601 492

Atherton & Wigan Metro Areas ☎☎ 01942 888 693 88www.athertonwigan.cats.org.uk

North Walsham & District ☎☎ 01692 535 858 88www.northwalsham.cats.org.uk

Barnsley ☎☎ 01226 762 658 88www.barnsley.cats.org.uk

Norwich & District ☎☎ 08454 941 900 88www.norwich.cats.org.uk Peterborough & District ☎☎ 08453 712 750 88www.peterboroughcats.co.uk St Neots & District ☎☎ 01480 476 696 88www.stneots.cats.org.uk

Calder Valley & District ☎☎ 01706 810 489 88www.caldercats.org.uk

Spalding & District ☎☎ 01775 725 661 88www.spalding.cats.org.uk

Carlisle & District ☎☎ 01228 540 330 88www.carlisle.cats.org.uk

Stamford & District ☎☎ 01778 590 008

Chesterfield & District ☎☎ 08453 712 754 88www.chesterfieldcats.co.uk

Ipswich *184 * Bramford Lane, Ipswich IP1 4DP ☎☎ 01473 742 226 Lincoln *Moggielomania, * 381 High Street,* Lincoln LN5 7SF

Crewe & District ☎☎ 01270 588 710 88www.crewe.cats.org.uk Culcheth & Glazebury ☎☎ 01925 764 604 Derby & District ☎☎ 01332 206 956 88www.derbydistrict.cats.org.uk

Framlingham & Saxmundham *26 * Bridge Street, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9AH ☎☎ 01728 723 499

North Sheffield ☎☎ 01142 456 371 Pickering & District ☎☎ 01653 693 958 Preston ☎☎ 0772 748 788 88www.prestoncpl.com Rochdale 88www.rochdale.cats.org.uk Sheffield Hallam ☎☎ 01142 493 330 88www.catsprotectionshop.com South Wirral ☎☎ 0151 355 9813

Teesside ☎☎ 01642 589 090 88www.teesside.cats.org.uk

Sleaford & District ☎☎ 01529 488 749 88www.sleaford.cats.org.uk

Cambridge *172 * Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3LP ☎☎ 01223 566 997

Newcastle upon Tyne ☎☎ 0191 296 3512 88www.cats-protection-newcastle.co.uk

Blackburn & District ☎☎ 01254 580 642

Burscough & Liverpool Bay ☎☎ 0151 526 5999

Waveney ☎☎ 08453 714 202 88www.waveney.cats.org.uk

Macclesfield ☎☎ 01625 667 966 88www.macclesfieldcats.org.uk

Stockport ☎☎ 0161 439 1274 88www.stockport.cats.org.uk

Burnley & Pendle ☎☎ 01282 859 847 88www.burnley.cats.org.uk

Skegness, Spilsby & Alford ☎☎ 01754 830 621 88www.skegnesscats.org.uk

Hull & District ☎☎ 01482 790 284

Beverley & Pocklington ☎☎ 01482 861 866 88www.bpcp.org.uk

Bolton & Radcliffe ☎☎ 01204 572 111

Scunthorpe & District ☎☎ 01724 783 555

Gateshead & District ☎☎ 0191 420 3180 88www.cats.org.uk/branch/gateshead Halifax, Queensbury & Brighouse ☎☎ 01484 711 728

Warrington *Animal * Village, Slutchers Lane, * Bank Quay, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1NA ☎☎ 01925 411 160

Haverhill & Stour Valley ☎☎ 01440 730 096 88www.stourvalley.cats.org.uk

East Northumberland ☎☎ 07749 713 142 (6–9pm)

North

St Helens *100 * Chester Lane, St Helens,* Merseyside WA9 4DD ☎☎ 01744 817 718

Ely & District ☎☎ 01353 699 430 88www.ely-catsprotection.org

Durham City & District ☎☎ 01913 860 902

Dewsbury, Wakefield & District ☎☎ 01924 261 524 88www.dewsbury.cats.org.uk Doncaster ☎☎ 01302 840 777 88www.doncaster.cats.org.uk

Trafford ☎☎ 0161 610 2189 or 0161 969 0331 88www.trafford.cats.org.uk Wear Valley & Darlington ☎☎ 07966 653 388 West Cumbria ☎☎ 01946 590 079 88www.westcumbria.cats.org.uk Wharfe Valley ☎☎ 08451 947 292 88www.cats-wharfevalley.org.uk York ☎☎ 01904 760 356 88www.yorkcats.org.uk Barnsley *95 * High Street, Wombwell,* Barnsley S73 8HS Burscough & Liverpool Bay *Cats * Whiskers, 1 School Lane, Burscough, Lancashire L40 4AE ☎☎ 01704 893 393 Chesterfield & District *2* Cavendish Street, * Chesterfield S40 1UY ☎☎ 01246 279 163 Derby & District *31 * The Wardwick, Derby DE1 1HA ☎☎ 01332 360 808 *Institute * Buildings, North End, Wirksworth, Derbyshire DE4 4FG

Ways we help: Rehoming • Neutering • Raising awareness

Newcastle upon Tyne *162-166 * High Street East, Wallsend,* Tyne & Wear NE28 7RP ☎☎ 0191 2627 377 Teesside *7–8 * Ramsgate, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland TS18 1BS ☎☎ 01642 607 435

Friends of Kirkintilloch Adoption Centre Shetland *Gott, * Shetland ZE2 9SH ☎☎ 01595 840 517 Alness & District ☎☎ 08453 714 204 88www.alness.cats.org.uk

Nairn ☎☎ 08453 712 714 88www.nairn.cats.org.uk North Ayrshire ☎☎ 08453 714 218 88www.northayrshire.cats.org.uk

Turriff & District *21 * Low Street, Banff AB45 1AU West Fife *6* Arberlour Street, Rosyth,* Fife KY11 2RD ☎☎ 01383 417 548

Ardnamurchan ☎☎ 01967 431 203 88www.ardnamurchan.cats.org.uk

Orkney Islands ☎☎ 01856 771 642 88www.orkneycats.co.uk

Wales

Caithness ☎☎ 08453 714 217 88www.caithnesscatsprotection.org.uk

Outer Aberdeen & District ☎☎ 01224 705 252 88www.cats-outer-aberdeen.org.uk

Central Aberdeen ☎☎ 01224 749 568 88www.catsprotection.org.uk

Peebles & Biggar ☎☎ 0707 4357 228

Wrexham *Alma * House, Madeira Hill, Wrexham, Clwyd LL13 7HD ☎☎ 01978 313 574 88www.wrexham.cats.org.uk Aberystwyth & District ☎☎ 01970 822 120 Cardiff ☎☎ 02920 369 138 88www.cardiff.cats.org.uk

Central Dumfries ☎☎ 01387 710 083 88www.centraldumfries.cats.org.uk Clackmannanshire & Stirling ☎☎ 01259 720 555 88www.clackscats.org.uk Cumnock & Doon Valley ☎☎ 08453 714 219 Dundee & District ☎☎ 01382 450 035

Colwyn & District ☎☎ 01492 660 221 88www.colwyn.cats.org.uk

East Neuk of Fife ☎☎ 08453 714 210 88www.eastfife.cats.org.uk

Gwent ☎☎ 08453 712 747 88www.gwentsouthcp.org.uk

East Renfrewshire ☎☎ 01416 444 809

Newtown & District ☎☎ 01686 670 277 88www.newtown.cats.org.uk Rhondda Valleys ☎☎ 01443 437 709 Swansea & District ☎☎ 01792 208 808 88www.swanseacats.co.uk Wrexham & District ☎☎ 01978 313 574 88www.wrexham.cats.org.uk Colwyn & District *28 * Sea View Road,* Colwyn Bay LL29 8DG ☎☎ 01492 535 655 Wrexham & District *60 * Chester Street,* Wrexham LL13 8BA ☎☎ 01978 310 555

East Lothian & Berwickshire Branch ☎☎ 08453 714 215 Ellon & District ☎☎ 01358 721 204 88www.ellon.cats.org.uk Eskdale & District ☎☎ 01387 376 738 88www.eskdale.cats.org.uk Forfar ☎☎ 08453 712 063 88www.forfar.cats.org.uk Fort William & District ☎☎ 01397 772 071 Fraserburgh ☎☎ 01346 513 546 Glasgow ☎☎ 08453 712 722 88www.glasgow.cats.org.uk Huntly & Keith ☎☎ 01466 760 311

Swansea & District *85 * Brynymor Road, Swansea SA1 4JE ☎☎ 01792 208 808

Inverness ☎☎ 07815 910 861 88www.inverness.cats.org.uk

Scotland

Inverurie & Alford ☎☎ 01467 625 695 88www.cats-inverurie.co.uk

Arbroath & District *15 * Kinaldie Holdings,* Arbroath DD11 5SH ☎☎ 01241 434 605 88www.arbroath.cats.org.uk Clackmannanshire & Stirling *Ochivale * Terrace, Fishcross, Alloa, Clackmannanshire FK10 3HT ☎☎ 01259 720 555 Dundee & District *102 * Foundry Lane, Dundee DD4 6AY ☎☎ 01382 450 035 Kirkintilloch *Cardyke * Farm, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 5LD ☎☎ 0141 779 3341

Isle of Arran ☎☎ 01770 820 611 Isle of Lewis ☎☎ 01851 612 448 Kilmarnock & District ☎☎ 08453 712 715 Lanarkshire ☎☎ 08453 714 213 88www.lanarkshirecats.co.uk Montrose & Brechin ☎☎ 08453 712 738 Moray ☎☎ 07837 342 646 88www.buckie.cats.org.uk

South Ayrshire *100 * Main Street, Prestwick, KA9 1PA

North Skye ☎☎ 07817 943 072

York *13 * Walmgate, York YO1 9TX ☎☎ 01904 620 361

Bridgend *Green * Acres, Pant Hirwaun,* Bryncethin, Bridgend,* Mid Glamorgan CF32 9UJ ☎☎ 01656 724 396

Outer Aberdeen & District *187 * George Street,* Aberdeen AB25 1HZ ☎☎ 01224 658 565

Perth ☎☎ 08458 622 206 88www.perthcats.co.uk Renfrewshire ☎☎ 0141 876 4133 88www.renfrewshire.cats.org.uk

Northern Ireland Belfast *270 * Belfast Road, Dundonald,* Newtownards, Northern Ireland, * BT16 1UE ☎☎ 02890 480 202 Friends of Northern Ireland Adoption Centre

Shetland ☎☎ 01595 840 588 88www.cats.shetland.co.uk South Ayrshire ☎☎ 08453 714 216 88www.southayrshire.cats.org.uk South Skye ☎☎ 07787 054 485 (mobile) Stewartry & District ☎☎ 01557 339 233 88www.stewartry.cats.org.uk Stonehaven ☎☎ 01569 739 396 88www.stonehaven.cats.org.uk Stranraer & District ☎☎ 08453 712 759 Strathspey ☎☎ 08453 712 725 88www.strathspey.cats.org.uk Tain & District ☎☎ 07050 248 849 88www.tain.cats.org.uk Turriff & District ☎☎ 07050 241 846 Uist ☎☎ 07050 121 586 West Lothian ☎☎ 08453 712 719 88www.cats-westlothian.org.uk Central Aberdeen *96 * King St, Aberdeen AB24 5BA ☎☎ 01224 634 894 Central Dumfries *19-21 * Friars Vennel,* Dumfries DG1 2RQ ☎☎ 01387 710 844 Clackmannanshire & Stirling *Ochivale * Terrace, Fishcross, Alloa, Clackmannanshire FK10 3HT ☎☎ 01259 761 893 Dundee & District *102 * Foundry Lane, Dundee DD4 6AY ☎☎ 01382 450 035 *5* Reform Street, Monifieth, * Dundee DD5 4BA ☎☎ 01382 534 316 Glasgow *440 * Dumbarton Road, Partick,* Glasgow G11 6SE ☎☎ 01413 346 907

Find your local Cats Protection: 03000 12 12 12 • www.cats.org.uk

KEY: Adoption Centre Branch Charity shop

The Cat Spring 2010 65

’ s d Kiner Cor Cat Riddles As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives.

Each wife had seven sacks, Each sack had seven cats, Each cat had seven kits.

Kits, cats, sacks and wives, How many were going to St Ives?

Welcome to Kids’ Corner! We love to hear from our younger readers so please send in your cat-themed letters, jokes and drawings – every picture printed wins a prize; in this issue our favourite wins a FurReal Lulu Kitty. Write to us at: The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, RH17 7TT or via email to editorial@cats.org.uk. Don’t forget to tell us your name, age and address.

Last time, we asked you to help us find SuperCat in the crowd of Christmas shoppers. Did you find him? He was hiding behind Ian the Iguana in front of the shop window.

This time, Sarah Fox, the teacher of local Safaria School, has taken her class to the town gallery with Mum tagging along to help out. Kate and Kit Kitten are second and third in line but class swot Timmy made sure he was right up front! Sarah Fox wants you to test out your crayon skills by colouring in the picture of SuperCat below.

*Answer at bottom of page

Nina, 10, Giffnock, Glasgow

66 The Cat Spring 2010 Answer: One – only me, I met them on the way!

Charlotte, 6, Great Barr, Birmingham

W

IN

NE

R

Congratulations to Collette who wins Lulu the kitty, a highly realistic animatronic cat who loves to be petted and groomed. The prize comes with its own personalised adoption package for the winner.

For more electronic cats plus other creatures, visit www.electronicpetshop.com – It’s pets… without the poop! And well done to Katie, Charlotte, Paige and Nina who each win a copy of I Love Cats Art ROM

by Top That! Publishing – for more great activity books, visit www.topthatpublishing.com

Katie, 6, Fetcham, Surrey

Collette, 11, Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Paige, 7, Worsley, Manchester

The Cat Spring 2010

67

makingmemories

Out of the Blitz and into the Outback Eunice Reiman shares tragic memories of the sometimes harsh realities of life

I

68 The Cat Spring 2010

many miles from the nearest town, I was given a beautiful cat for company. A carpenter and his pet rabbit arrived one day to bunk down in our spare room. I insisted the rabbit be kept locked up because my baby was now crawling and the man hadn’t provided a litter tray, but he didn’t heed my warning. The rabbit escaped and in the blink of an eye my cat had it for dinner. The workman went mad, he pushed me aside, grabbed his loaded gun and shot poor puss dead and as one never argues with someone toting a gun, I quickly grabbed my daughter and fled the scene. The workman and his smoking gun were promptly despatched and I worried for weeks he would return to finish me off too.

Years later after numerous feline friends, came Chan, a Siamese kitten with a pedigree as impressive as the peerage list in Debrett’s and a price tag to make one’s eyes water.

It was in Chan’s tenth year he disappeared from our lives. We believe he’d been stolen. It was heart-wrenching for us all.

Another Siamese kitten followed Chan. This was adorable Zoë and she loved money – what woman doesn’t? – and would grab any note that lay on the table regardless of denomination and run off to hide it.

Ten years on she was mercifully put to sleep after a paralysing stroke, the result of a snake bite.

Eventually my handsome Toffy joined our family. He favoured a queen-sized bed – mine – and would stretch himself across its width burying himself into the folds of my downy feathered quilt only to arouse himself when nature called to pat my cheek with his delicate paw followed by his cold, wet nose asking to be let out.

In 2007 poor, dear Toffy now in his seventh year, failed to recover from a serious illness. His death still hurts deeply. No more pets, no more heartbreaks.

Illustration: Rasoul Hudda

cannot remember when our house wasn’t cluttered with food bowls, litter trays and enough cat hairs to stuff a mattress and I loved each cat with a passion.

Years ago, our house was overlorded by a tabby who was smart enough to open the door of our old-fashioned oven to enjoy a snooze within its warmth but one day this habit almost resulted in roast pussy cat for dinner. It was only when a plaintive wail was issued from within the oven that we realised the catnapper had done it again. Mother hurriedly opened the oven door to rescue a hot, irate and medium-rare Tibtabs.

I grew up with an assortment of cats – as one departed, another would take its place filling my life with happiness but our ‘library cat’, smoochy Monty, was my favourite. It was during World War II when Monty and his street gang commandeered our outdoor air-raid shelter for their clubhouse which was later abandoned after we’d erected an indoor shelter which had enough space under its top to hold a party. A cloth covered it to disguise the monstrosity under which Monty hid, only to emerge at mealtimes when he metamorphosed from a gentle Dr Jekyll into an evil Mr Hyde to launch himself onto the ankles of any unsuspecting diner who dared to rest their feet under the cloth.

Sadly Monty came to an untimely demise after being savaged by a marauding dog. My mother dug a hole beside a rose bush in the garden and as I carried Monty out to bury him, he suddenly came to life heaving and waving his paws about. I screamed in panic ”He’s alive, Monty’s not dead!“ He was dead of course, my mother explained it was just postdeath twitching, but oh what a scare I had! When, in the 1950s, my family and I sailed to Australia to live in the outback

Remembering cats through helping others This section offers readers the chance to pay tribute to a beloved cat by helping others. Donations go towards pens for our branches, which help house cats and kittens while they wait for new homes. Please send your donations to: Remembering Cats, The Cat magazine, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Cats Protection’. Tributes will be printed in the next available issue. Please print your tribute clearly to avoid errors (no more than 20 words) . Thanks to readers of The Cat, 310 pens have now been bought.

NTHONY – 01.09.09.

A Never was there so loving an animal. May God wrap your snowy frame tenderly in his arms. Love always, Mark.

My beloved WONKIE , all my love, Mummy.

MICKEY – My wonderful friend. I still can’t believe you’ve gone. Life is so empty without you. Love you forever. X – Del. FREDDIE 2000-29.10.09.

Gentle, loving and brave little friend, taken from us too soon. Miss and love you always, John and Margaret.

My beloved MEEPO , constant friend and companion for 16 years.

Waiting with young ma ster at Rainbow

Bridge. Love you both always, Madam.

JENNY 20.04.09. Feisty, dainty white and tortie girl, so loving and loved. Missed and remembered every day, my Jenny Jones.

BIX 13.10.09. Big, beautiful honey-ginger tailless boy.

What a character – known to all locally. You died too soon – love you forever.

J ACK – died 24.10.05. My lovely black boy, thank you for 10 wonderful years. You will be remembered always – Gwen.

In loving memory of our beloved ginger boy J IMBO , tragically died 29.12.01, aged four. Loved and remembered every day.

Your Betty & John xx Remembering BOBBY – went missing 02.04.07, greatly missed. Peter, Sooty & Tiggy.

Remembering SNOWY – went missing 07.03.09.

Greatly missed. Peter, Sooty, Tiggy & Minie.

Remembering our dearest HARDY , who enhanced our lives for nine years – killed in a road accident – reunited with sister L AUREL .

CECILY – PTS 09.11.09.

A dear feral. Forever in our thoughts and hearts. At peace with PUSSKINS , SYD and MARY .

Heartbroken. Chris and Bryan.

L ADY JANE – 03.05.9413.10.09. The white lady has gone to sleep. Your mighty heart no longer beats and mine is broken. Loved forever. Dianne.

BUGSY 01.06.94 aged 20.

Our precious gift, your name and manner will be forever scratched into our hearts.

Mom & Dad, John, Topaz, Murphy, Milo xxxxx ½.

LI – such a wonderful E companion. So loved so missed. Linda and Esme.

SALLY – went to Jesus 16.03.93 and CHLOE 17.07.06. Still missing my beautiful girls. Love Mummy.

MISS EDIE TWINKLE 14.05.09. Miss you so much darling. I hope you are with your beloved Arthur now. Love Ma Ma.

M R ARTHUR 19.03.06.

My wonderful black and white boy. I hope you are proud of me. Love always Mum. JOEY , my soulmate and BERTIE who left us too soon, forever in our hearts, loved always xx Wendy & Allan.

In loving memory of

C HLOË – 02.03.05. Our beautiful girl. In our thoughts and hearts always.

Love Mummy, Daddy, Perry & son Leo.

B EINN 14.09.09 aged 18, faithful friend. Also twin sister CARA who died 1999. See you both at Rainbow Bridge. Love you always Mum & Keri.

GOLDIE , KITTY , T ABBY , FLOPPY , S ANDY . Always remembered. Love Elsie.

ARVIN 1992-2009 M aged 17, our special little man. Sadly missed. Also remembering SAMMY , WALLY , BARNEY & TEDDY .

O SCAR my big, beautiful gentle boy, aged 16, who died without being ill last Xmas Eve. I love and miss you every day. Aileen.

K ORKY c1987-2008. In memory of my darling boy, PTS 16.12.08. Miss you so much, always in my thoughts. Mummy Sue xxx Our handsome boy –

M ONTY – 19.01.09. Always in our hearts & thoughts.

Greatly missed each day. Love you forever. Mum & Steve xx In loving memory of TIMMY – 30.03.91 and T OPSY – 27.03.96. Together again. In our thoughts and hearts always and forever.

Love Mummy & Daddy.

GENTA 17.11.92-10.11.09.

My precious Burmilla, you have left us totally heartbroken. Your loss is so painful. We will love you forever. Mummy, Daddy & Riddy.

Remembering my pussies, SALLY , RUSTY , SANDY , BUSTER , TIMMY and L UCY . With love from Mam & Felix (the cat).

The Cat Spring 2010 69

Book reviews Looking for a great book about cats? Check out our reviews before

you buy...

The Quest for the Eye of Bast

By David Bloy his feline friends had Like many cat owners, the late David Bloy was convinced that his imagination days four for missing many secrets and when two of his cats went epic story of an is This res. adventu conjured up an amazing, magical tale of their ry and discove of journey a evil, and a battle for feline civilisation, between good will be a it but ed publish book his see courage. Unfortunately David did not live to our cats world secret es sometim the of lasting testament to his vivid interpretation disappear to.

Francesca Watson at www.lu he Quest for the Eye of Bast (£8.09) can be purchased online T option. search the in title book putting the

lu.com by

Jack The Station Cat and the Snail Trail

By Alan Cliff g Jack and Vandal, Based on a real cat, Alan Cliff’s story is a delightful tale followin on pages 18-21 feature Cats Railway the Bluebell Railway Librarian – mentioned in our Jack and series, the in book latest – as they cause mischief everywhere they go! In this Wales north from journey their Vandal hitch a lift with a local removals lorry to make perfect is book This Snails.

Station to Devon to meet the Superintendent of Britain’s lovely watercolour for a railway enthusiast to read to a child, pointing out all the copy of this title as signed the for illustrations which complement the story. Look out in the Summer Things te Favouri well as eight others in the series to give away in Our issue of The Cat. Amy Rutter

by Gwasg Helygain Ltd J ack The Station Cat books (£2.95) are printed and published various preserved (www.gwasg.com Tel: 01745 331 411). Also available to buy from steam railway shops.

Making the Rounds With Oscar

By David Dosa global fame in 2007 This new title tells the story of Rhode Island cat, Oscar, who gained home he lives nursing the at thanks to his apparent ability to predict when residents the Rounds Making home, in are going to die. Written by David Dosa, a doctor at the how details also and cat le With Oscar represents a first-hand account of this incredib t comfor d provide ts residen of his spooky and uncanny knack of predicting the demise gamut a provoke will book this both to them and their families. Engaging from the off, too. of emotions – prepare to be saddened but be prepared to laugh Tom Briggs aking the Rounds With Oscar (£12.99) is published by Headlin M (www.headline.co.uk Tel: 01235 827 702)

Books received

e Books

ary Handbook by John Bower, The Complete Guide to Holistic ig Cat Studio by Dr Bhagavan Antle, The Cat Owner’s Veterin B of The Cat by Ann Walker, Paw Tracks in the Moonlight by Denis Cat Care by Celeste Yarnall PhD and Jean Hofve DVM, The Power Moon , The Cat Who Came in From the Cold by Deric Longden, The O Connor, The Wonder of Whiffling by Adam Jacot de Boinoid Bailey, Gwen by g?

Thinkin Cat My Is , What Warner Peter by Cottage Cats: Volume Two by Marilyn Edwards with illustrations s.

Bonker and Fluffy by Cats for Book The Devious

70 The Cat Spring 2010

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Telephone: 020 8501 1033 Email: sales@pettex.co.uk www.pettex.co.uk 11/1/10 15:03:11

Gentle on your cat’s digestion, beneficial for health!

Tasty and healthy - made from the highest quality natural ingredients. Not only do we use a single source of meat protein and easily digestible rice to help reduce the risk of food intolerance but we also add cranberry extracts to help maintain your cat’s urinary health.

Maintains glossy coat - keeps your cat looking fabulous on the outside we use special omega-3 oils to help keep their coat looking glossy and healthy.

Peace of mind - we give you a full list of ingredients so you know exactly what you are feeding your cat.

NATURALLY HYPO-ALLERGENIC COMPLETE CAT FOOD NO ADDED ARTIFICIAL COLOURS, FLAVOURS OR PRESERVATIVES

James Wellbeloved - cat food you can trust Available from all good pet shops and veterinary surgeries www.wellbeloved.com or call 0845 603 9095