The Cat's Whiskers June 2017

FREE Issue 118 Summer 2017

The Cat’s Whiskers Quarterly magazine from Shropshire Cat Rescue

Inside …

Latest news from our Bayston Hill Shelter and Shrewsbury Shop. www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk Enter our fantastic competitions to win great prizes!

Welcome to the Summer 2017 edition of The Cat’s Whiskers.

We hope you like our new format and enjoy reading this first issue of our revamped magazine. If you would like to contribute anything or if you would like us to provide information on any topic in a future edition please let me know. We will continue on a quarterly basis and our Autumn edition will be available in September. Many thanks to all who have helped or contributed to this edition.

Our cover picture shows Pickle, a resident of the retirement village.

This pretty little tabby and white cat is rather shy but has a sweet nature and loves a fuss. She is an older cat but available for sponsorship. Thanks to John Benge for the picture and Anji Smith for this profile.

David Bates.

Magazine Editor.

Contents 4..................Shelter News - Marion Micklewright, Shelter Manager.

7..................Events 8 & 13.........Win! Prizes in our Competitions – Alice Leiper, Associate Editor.

10................Volunteering with Shropshire Cat Rescue - Elayne Bates, Volunteer.

12................Retirement Village Life - Karen Wainwright, Volunteer.

13................The Clawyer - by Ruthie Lowe.

14 ...............“Ooh, I’m having that!” - Jim Hawkins, SCR Patron.

16................Shropshire Cat Rescue Shop - Elayne Bates and Kim Mason.

18................Cute Cats - Photographs by Lorraine Fletcher.

20 ...............Conquering the Comfort Zone - Ellie-Mae Hammond and Imogen Cooke.

24................Dear Shelter Manager - Marion Micklewright, Shelter Manager.

26 ...............The BIG PURR Project - David Bates, Magazine Editor.

28 ...............Gifts in Wills - Peter Kampler ACILEx. 30................To flea or not to flea… that is the question - Susan Ellis, Vet. 31................The Cat that got let out of the Bag - Paul Lawton, regular SCR shop customer.

33................Cats Love Care Homes - Daphne Owen, Care Home Co-ordinator.

34................How you can help us.

35................Who’s Who at Shropshire Cat Rescue.

Visit our website at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk or email us at info@shropshirecatrescue.co.uk Disclaimer: The information contained within The Cat’s Whiskers we believe to be correct at the time of going to press. No responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. The features in this publication are intended as guidelines only. The businesses and products advertised in this publication are in no way endorsed by the Charity.

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Marion Micklewright, Shelter Manager. to protect them from any viruses that may enter the shelter, and they will require a further vaccination at twelve weeks of age. In addition, our kittens are wormed, de-flead and socialised well prior to rehoming.

Our recommendation is that kittens are neutered at the age of four to five months to prevent more kittens entering the already over-populated cat world.

Kitten season has arrived and we currently have four beautiful litters of kittens at our shelter. My twoyear-old grandson Gus is learning how to be gentle with the kittens in the Nursery. All our kittens are checked and vaccinated by our vet at the age of four and eight weeks

Our “Practice of Mindfulness” programme has continued to be successful with students from Runcorn in Cheshire. Learning how animals are similar to us in terms of emotions and expression, children appreciate the value of living things.

A recent visit helped the children focus on the emotion of anger and how animals express the emotion and why. In addition, the children spend time with all the farm animals, read to the elderly cats and learn mindfulness techniques to help The Cat’s Whiskers Summer 2017

cope with daily life. The children brought along toys that they had made in their science class with teacher Jamie Housley.

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Volunteers have been extremely busy this spring, rounding up our rather naughty Lionhead rabbits who have decided that despite being made an extremely large pen to run and jump in, they

would rather be the other the side of the fence! They particularly seem to be interested in visiting the ducks and hens, and whilst some volunteers have become expert in gathering bunnies,

some find it far more rewarding to film them on their phones!

We have been very lucky to have Wolverhampton University student Ailee Mcauley join us for six weeks as she has been carrying out assessments as part of her Animal Behaviour degree. Ailee has enjoyed her work experience so much that she has asked to come back as a volunteer in the not-too-distant future.

Our Saturday Open Days have been extremely successful since opening to the public from April.

This is an opportunity for supporters and newcomers to visit our shelter, without appointment, to enjoy the company of the cats, our other animals and of course our wonderful volunteers.

Children are made welcome with a play Shropshire Cat Rescue

area and children and adults are able to feed our chickens, goats and cats. With tea, coffee and homemade cakes available in our snack bar and lots of gifts for friends and cats to purchase in our Gift Shop, there is little wonder that people are returning to the shelter with friends and relatives to share the experience.

And of course, we all get very excited when we find a 5

“forever home” for one of our cats!

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Our young volunteers are always keen to get involved in all aspects of animal care, including grooming our delightful miniature Shetland ponies, Willy and Peaches.

It was great to see two of our fomer volunteers who visited the shelter on one of our Open Days.

We have started to deliver informative workshops from our staff room at the shelter.

So far, two workshops on feral cats and trapping have been successfully received and reviewed by volunteers. The intention is to open the workshops up to the public who wish to learn more about the process from start to finish. Details will be available on our Facebook page and website when dates have been agreed.

Meet three of our Resident Free Rangers

Megan (aged 15 years) Megan is an adorable female tortie. She enjoys her freedom and also enjoys attention from the volunteers. When it comes to the time to be weighed we have to bribe her with treats.

Precious (aged 14 years) Precious came to us in January 2011. She has a heart murmur and requires daily medication.

Precious loves roaming around the shelter; she is a very friendly girl. She enjoys the freedom of being a resident cat.

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Nerina (aged 6 years) Nerina is a Tonkinese (breed) who came to us as a stray. She is beautiful and very nervous and she likes to come and go when it suits her. In 2014 she had a broken tail which sadly had to be removed.

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We have a new resident free ranger too, the beautiful tortie, Annwyn, who was admitted into our Shelter with one kitten last year. A timid soul, Annwyn seemed intent on living her life with the other residents and so her wish has come true - what a sweetheart!

Finally, we have gnomes in our garden!

Forthcoming Events

Shropshire Cat Rescue will be represented at the following events. Please come and support us and say “hello” to our amazing fundraisers and outreach workers.

17th June - Shrewsbury Carnival The Quarry, Shrewsbury.

5th August - Pets at Home Shrewsbury. 1.30 - 3.30pm.

24th June - Table top sale Memorial Hall, Oswestry 9.30am - 12.30pm.

5th August, Oswestry Show Park Hall, Oswestry, 9am - 6pm.

12th August - Charity Market The Wharf, Ellesmere, 8.30am - 4.30pm.

1st July - Pets at Home Shrewsbury, 1.30 - 3.30pm.

26th August - Ellesmere Carnival Cremorne Gardens, 8.30am - 5pm.

8th July - Tin shaking event Wyevale Garden Centre, Chirk, 10am5pm.

2nd September - Pets at Home Shrewsbury, 1:30pm-3:30pm.

9th July - Tin shaking event Wyevale Garden Centre, Chirk, 10.30am4.30pm.

8th September - Charity Market Bailey Head, Oswestry, 8:30am - 2:30pm.

3rd August - Shropshire Cat Rescue Open Meeting at the Bayston Hill Shelter 7:00pm

Keep up to date about events and other news at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk, @Shropshirecatrescue or @shropscatrescue @bigPURRproject Shropshire Cat Rescue

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Win! Win 4 tickets to West Midlands Safari Park West Midland Safari Park is home to some of the world’s most beautiful animals. It features a drive-through safari and a theme park, and is home to over 165 species of animals. For more information visit their website at www.wmsp.co.uk.

Question 1. In ‘Ooh, I’m having that!’ What is the colour of the bag purchased by the Shropshire Cat Rescue Shop customer?

Simply read our magazine and answer the questions. Send your name, address, telephone number, email address along with your answers to scrcontest@gmail.com. Alternatively, post your answers to SCR Summer 2017 Competition, Windy Ridge, Lyth Hill Road, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0AU. The closing date for entries is 31st July 2017. All correct answers received by the closing date will be entered into a draw and the winners notified within 4 weeks. We will include the winners’ names in the next edition of the magazine.

Win a Pet Portrait by Doug Bayliss Doug is a Shropshire-based artist specialising in animal portraits and commissioned work. He is inspired by the chalk and charcoal portrait work of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Through his work, Doug supports several charities.

His website is at www.dougbayliss.com and he can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/dougbayliss.portraits.

Question 2. What is the name of the cat on our front cover?

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Pleased to meet you‌ Elayne Bates describes her role as volunteer shop assistant with Shropshire Cat Rescue.

Last year my husband and I visited the SCR shelter and adopted Belle, a two-year-old black cat, who needed a home following her owner being told by her landlord that she could no longer keep cats. We were really impressed by the shelter at Lyth Hill.

When I took voluntary redundancy in June 2016, and with time on my hands, I felt I would like to help SCR. I contacted the SCR shop in Shrewsbury, completed the The Cat’s Whiskers Summer 2017

volunteers show you how the shop operates, how to deal with the items that are donated, how we display all the goods, how to serve customers and operate the till. You always have someone to show you how to do things or ask if you are not sure.

I am constantly amazed Photograph courtesy of Jim Hawkins by the generosity of the public who bring volunteer application unwanted items to form and went in the shop and to the to meet the shop shelter. I like it when manager. I now spend two full days each week something unusual comes in and I do there. some research on the I particularly enjoy internet to find out working with all the more about the item other volunteers, and what it might be some of whom have worth. now become friends.

I thoroughly enjoy The experience has volunteering for SCR been valuable to me, and would recommend having never had it to anyone. any previous retail The SCR shop has some experience. The SCR real bargains. Why not shop provides work come and have a look placements through next time you are in the local job centre to Shrewsbury? give individuals retail experience they can put on their CV. The Shop Manager makes sure you understand the fire and health and safety issues you have in a shop. The other 10

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Retirement Village Life By Karen Wainwright Shropshire Cat Rescue’s policy is to give shelter and veterinary aid to stray and homeless cats when manpower and finances permit and to find them new, safe and caring homes.

Through the support of volunteers and supporters, Shropshire Cat Rescue has created a unique, tranquil environment for our elderly residents to retire to. If a home is found, wonderful; if not their needs will be met for the remainder of their lives in a large landscaped garden area with six cosy, heated cottages and one large heated summer house.

A bed of catnip, a water feature, a wild garden to attract insects, ornamental grasses to rustle and play with; places to climb, places to hide; freedom to choose which cottage they want to sleep in - we hope we have manged to create a haven for elderly cats. ​If you can help with the running costs of the retirement village, you would be contributing enormously to the health and well-being of the cats who live within the village. All we ask is an annual payment of just £50. To take part you can download or request the Retirement Village Leaflet. For further information or to organise a visit to the village please email: info@shropshirecatrescue.co.uk Photographs taken by volunteer Karen Wainwright.

Nancy, Minnie, Oreo and Smudge are all new residents in our Retirement Village. Nancy is a small white and tabby female, Minnie and Oreo are black and white; the latter, pictured below in the sandpit, is totally blind. Smudge is a very large longhaired tabby.

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The Clawyer by Ruthie Lowe My cat is a clawyer He ensures his butt is always covered.

Each box must pass inspection.

Every bag must be checked. it’s in his contract.

Laptops must be sat upon scratching painful clauses, creating documents fluent Miaow.

His sunlit meditations fireside contemplations window seat deliberations precede his Submission that his is a very fine tail.

Indeed.

Ruthie Lowe is a freelance writer and poet based in Shropshire.

She has several cats who share her home, many of them from Shropshire Cat Rescue.

Win a £20 voucher from Pets at Home Pets at Home is the UK’s largest pet supplies retailer, with more than 370 stores countrywide, selling pets, food, accessories and toys. It provides vet services under the Vets4Pets brand. For more information, visit their website at www.petsathome.com.

Question 3. How much money has been raised for the Big PURR project so far?

See page 8 for details on how to enter this competition.

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“Ooh, I’m having that!”

By Jim Hawkins, Shropshire Cat Rescue Patron.

The lady with the shopping bags had barely made it through the door of Shropshire Cat Rescue’s shop on Roushill Bank, Shrewsbury, when she spotted something she couldn’t resist. It was a bright orange bag, thoughtfully placed to catch the eye. When her companion joined her moments later, she showed it to her. The companion nodded her approval. One bargain landed, they set off to explore what else was on offer.

Shropshire Cat Rescue’s charity shop occupies a tall, narrow space on Roushill Bank just a few seconds’ walk from main shopping street Pride Hill. It’s been here since 2009, and it’s become a favourite destination for regular customers, casual browsers and eager volunteers.

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The shop plays a significant role in fundraising for Shropshire Cat Rescue, and in the lives of the people who congregate around it.

For some, it’s more than just a shop.

It’s a regular staging post on their expeditions around Shrewsbury.

There’s always something new to see, or explore, or examine. It draws in cat-lovers, who chat with the volunteers and each other, sharing cat stories. Regular customers and volunteers become friends; they make sure to come in on the right day, so as not to miss one another.

Some people even come in with questions about their cats! Kindly advice, or a helpful phone number, is always available.

At the core of the operation is the team of some fifteen volunteers – and everyone who works in the shop 14

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when people are glad to find something good to wear, for just one or two pounds. They have plenty to choose from.

Shropshire Cat Rescue’s charity shop is a welcoming and important place for those connected with it.

The volunteers say it feels good to be part of a group of people who are so passionate about what they do, and they are understandably proud to be part of the whole organisation.

There may be no cats at the Cat Rescue shop – although there are plenty of pictures of cats, many taken at the Shelter, which the volunteers find inspiring reminders of the importance of their work – but there is no shortage of warm hearts for them.

is a volunteer. They are a committed army of people who are passionate about their work, whatever role they play.

For the volunteers, every day is like Christmas. That day’s donations – dropped off over the counter, or via the shelter – could contain clothes, jewellery, bric-a-brac, books, DVDs, handbags… some items being brand new, still with the tags from the shops where they were bought.

A surprising amount of unworn high-value designer clothing passes through the shop, along with highquality jewellery and, recently, a cache of designer handbags.

Donations are sorted, cleaned and prepared on the very top floor of the building. Once they’ve been sorted and assessed, the most eye-catching items, and in some respects the best bargains, are put out for sale on the ground floor. That’s also where you’ll find homewares, DVDs and the ‘Man Cave’ sections.

Skilled bargain-hunters, though, will head for the middle floor. This is where everything is on sale – permanently. We’re living in times Shropshire Cat Rescue

Photographs by Jim Hawkins 15

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Shropshire Cat Rescue Shop

up a full day to volunteer at the shop; many volunteers do a half day but a regular commitment is appreciated. Please visit the SCR website for more information at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk You will be given basic training and ongoing guidance and support which will enable you to gain useful retail experience.

Opening hours and how to contact us Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Closed on Sunday Shropshire Cat Rescue Shop 3 Roushill Bank, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PN Telephone: 07941 450379 Email: kimmason.scr@gmail.com

By Elayne Bates and Kim Mason Location The shop is located on Roushill Bank which is between Lloyds Bank and Café Nero at the bottom of Pride Hill.

It is attractively laid out on two floors and sells a wide range of books, CDs, DVDs, clothing, bags, bric-a-brac, jewellery and vintage goods. There are some real bargains to be found within; why not come and look when you are in Shrewsbury?

Donating goods The shop relies on the generosity of people donating goods. You can leave goods at the shop or at the Cat Rescue Shelter.

We are always pleased to receive high quality goods but there a few items we cannot accept: • Electrical items • VHS videos and cassette tapes • Food • Soft toys if they have no “CE” label • Prams, pushchairs and bike helmets We are also a collection point for cat food. We accept any type of cat food and it will be taken to the Rescue Shelter.

Volunteering Volunteers at the shop, like those at the shelter, are unpaid. The proceeds from sales at the shop go to support the cats and other animals at the shelter. You do not need to give The Cat’s Whiskers Summer 2017

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Pictures of young cats and kittens taken at the shelter by professional photographer, Lorraine Fletcher. visit www.fletcherphotography3.com

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The worry of what other people may think or say lingers and limits a person’s self-expression; but to me, a charity shop embodies the concept of finding a sense of individuality and overcoming the mind-set that comfort comes from conformity. We, as two young ladies who firmly believe in the power of dressing unconventionally, wanted to celebrate the special identity that the Shropshire Cat Rescue shop has created for itself as being not only a place which celebrates the love for rehoming animals, but also a place which enables storytelling through the language of fashion.

Let me introduce myself, EllieMae Hammond, and my friend Imogen Cooke. We are students at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College.

Imogen and I both want careers in the fashion industry, and therefore are truly fascinated by the individual fashion statement a charity shop such as the Shropshire Cat Rescue shop enables. Our parents raised us to understand the importance of second hand clothing, and with the ability to appreciate the need to find your own identity in pieces that allow you to distance yourself from your comfort zone. My grandmother, now in her late eighties but still full of flair and grace, drilled into me her perception that charity shop shopping is an opportunity for self-extension; that a charity shop is a place that is completely unconventional, that holds endless possibilities in terms of outfits that you can put together and enjoy learning how to piece yourself and your individuality together.

Conquering the Comfort-zone

By Ellie-Mae Hammond and Imogen Cooke The question I ask myself when I enter a charity shop is ‘Who do I think I am today?’, and I think this a question that we all should ask ourselves whilst rummaging through clothes that once lived an anonymous life. I believe there is a true beauty about the art of charity shopping, a skill which is required to see beyond what was once dismissed. Within society today this art is favoured by not only the generation that nurtured the rise of ‘vintage clothing’, but also today’s younger generation.

However, I find there to be a conflict between what is thought and what is done within my generation today.

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for. In high street shops we are continuously told and shown how to wear something and what to pair it with, but with this outfit, and charity shopping in general, you are free to combine items with no limitations or restrictions.

The second look, put together

by Immy, takes on a particularly Parisian aesthetic with a subtle 1950’s twist added to it. ‘Modern’ pieces put together with distinct and noticeable twists from a chosen decade can be seen as a translation of time. Fashion, as a whole, can be considered a physical language, and the skill of putting together certain pieces and visually connecting them is a conversation. By adding elements or characteristics from the past to a simple modern piece, this ‘conversation’ can branch out and encourage exploration into the eclectic range of styles that can be found in charity shops.

Being regular customers of the charity shop, many a time going in with £3 in our pockets and walking out with a whole new outfit, we wanted to demonstrate how easy it is to develop an outfit to suit various styles. We want to encourage our generation to step outside their comfort zones of high street stores and try something new. Back in April, Immy and I took on the roles of an ‘inventor’ (we like to think), constructing four key outfits that showcased each item’s opportunity to become something more than a second hand piece of material.

The first outfit is the ‘Triple Gingham on Gingham suit’ look. I am a huge fan of this look as it just screams selfconfidence. I feel as if this isn’t an outfit that would be put together in a high street store mainly because of its distinct first impression. I’m aware this is not a piece that may appeal to everybody. However, I want to look past that element and draw attention to what the outfit stands Shropshire Cat Rescue

“Fashion, as a whole, can be considered a physical language…”

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“Fashion is a game, and this shop is our playground.”

The final two outfits that were put together are inspired by previous decades. The third outfit reflects a more 1960’s style, with high wasted gingham trousers, a red cotton tank top cinched in at the waist and a thin camel coloured jacket to cover.

To me, this outfit embodies the message we are trying to get across to our generation: once you leave your comfort zone and see something for not what it is but for what it could become, any outfit, even one that you hadn’t envisioned before, is possible to find, or even create.

Normally I am instantly, almost magnetically drawn to items of clothing that are evidently old and purposely glittery, that come with layers of glamour and past lives.

However, the distinct simplicity of three strong pieces placed together creates a look that you’re not likely to see in a high street store.

Spending time in this lovely shop, both Immy and I noticed all that the team does and where all their hard work and efforts go to. To us, this charity shop not only embodies the rehoming of precious animals, but also encapsulates the idea of what fashion really should stand for today more than ever: individuality.

The fourth and final outfit, styled

by Immy, reflects an early 1990’s attitude with an essence of rebellion.

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Dear Shelter Manager, My cat keeps scratching the wallpaper and has ruined the sofa – what can I do?

Cats have to keep their claws in tip top shape and just as we humans file our nails to keep them short and neat, cats scratch on tree trunks to keep their claws in good shape. However, when there is no tree available, cats associate all rough, vertical surfaces with tree trunks and so the fun begins.

Providing a scratching post or several posts around the house is a good place to start. To get the cat to use one spray with a feline pheromone such as Feliway which will attract the cat to the post.

Clapping your hands very loudly when the cat uses your furniture or wallpaper should help get the message across that this behaviour is unacceptable.

Dear Shelter Manager I really struggle to get my cat into a cat carrier, do you have any tips?

1.

2.

Ensure that the open door is facing up (place your carrier on its end if it is side opening).

Hold the cat securely and lower the cat into the carrier bottom first.

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Dear Shelter Manager My cat eats grass and then throws up – is this normal and why is she doing it?

Cats do not have the enzyme required to break down green/ vegetable matter and so when they eat it they vomit. The reason cats do this is to deliberately clear out their stomach of furballs, undigested bones and other animal parts such as fur and feathers. So yes, this is perfectly normal.

Dear Shelter Manager I am concerned that my cat isn’t drinking enough, she has fresh water everyday but the level doesn’t seem to go down!

You don’t say whether your cat is fed on dry or wet food, but if she is eating wet food then she is probably getting enough moisture from the jelly or gravy. When cats are fed on a dry diet, they will naturally drink a lot more and it is quite obvious as the cat will drink soon after eating. Cats are not very keen on our chemically treated water and tend to prefer drinking from rain water fed sources such as pools or ponds. You could try replacing tap water with bottled spring water. Running water is particularly attractive to cats and using a cat water fountain is both entertaining and more natural for a cat to drink from.

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Shropshire Cat Rescue and

The Big PURR Project Shropshire Cat Rescue was founded in 1998 by a small group of cat lovers in the Shrewsbury area. Since then it has grown into a broader foster care network for stray, unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens throughout Shropshire. Our main shelter is at Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury.

The Big Plan for Ultimate Rescue Relocation (PURR) project aims to raise £2million to create an exciting new centre near Shrewsbury to encourage education, community activities, leisure, tourism and animal welfare, to benefit the whole community.

In addition to our rescue and rehoming work, we take cats into care homes to visit the elderly who may have had to give up their pets when they went into residential care.

We provide a permanent home for elderly cats in our retirement village when their owner dies or is no longer able to cope.

We invite schoolchildren to visit the animals at the shelter and to take

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part in our Book Buddies scheme, which helps children become more confident with reading.

We go out to community events to promote the benefits of neutering and offer financial assistance with the cost by way of a discount voucher scheme.

We also provide work experience and Duke of Edinburgh Award opportunities for young people.

We work with partner agencies including social services, the police and housing officers and with many community groups.

We are currently developing an educational programme around responsible pet ownership with Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology.

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We have a BIG plan!

PUBLIC FACILITIES including reception, shops, cafe, toilets, car parking, picnic area and peaceful landscaped gardens.

STAFF ACCOMMODATION for employees and volunteers.

We will keep you updated on this exciting project in future editions.

We need your help. Please donate to help fund this ambitious project.

We want to: BUY up to 10 acres of land, preferably close to Shrewsbury.

RELOCATE to this bigger site from our current base at Bayston Hill.

BUILD a new centre for our animal and human friends.

This will allow us to: EXPAND our animal welfare and callout rescue support.

DEVELOP our work to educate on responsible pet ownership.

PROVIDE more education and community programmes to promote mutual well-being, understanding, and respect between people and animals.

Our new centre will have: RESCUE PENS for cats to stay while they are waiting for new homes.

NURSERY to give the youngest cats a good start in life.

HOSPITAL to provide on-site facilities for visiting vets.

RETIREMENT VILLAGE for elderly and disabled cats to live comfortable lives whilst interacting with visitors to the centre.

FIELDS and ENCLOSURES for rabbits, guinea pigs, ponies and sheep.

COMMUNITY HUB providing space for a seasonal programme of public events, and for rent by local artists, craftspeople and musicians.

EDUCATION CENTRE to host workshops and pet care classes for school children, Duke of Edinburgh and post-16 students, adults and other agencies and charities.

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How to donate to the Big PURR Project ONLINE at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk.

Click the link to the Big PURR Project Virgin Money Giving page to donate or to start your own fundraising campaign to support us.

TEXT PURR15 to 70070 to donate £3 CHEQUE Made payable to Shropshire Cat Rescue (please write PURR on the back).

MONTHLY STANDING ORDER OR DIRECT DEBIT Email shropshirecatrescue@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01743 872857 and ask for further details on how to make a regular donation.

LEGACY Email shropshirecatrescue@hotmail.co.uk and ask for a legacy information pack.

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Making a Will.

Peter Kampler ACILEx, gives advice on making a will. Peter was a Probate Manager for HSBC Trust Company, prior to his retirement. He now volunteers for Shropshire Cat Rescue.

Around 27 million people in the UK have not left any instructions regarding their estate after their death. They may have assumed that everything will pass automatically to their spouse or partner, children or grandchildren after their death.

making a Will would not change anything. However, if you and your partner are not married or in a civil partnership - and you have not made a Will - your partner has no entitlement whatsoever.

To further complicate matters, if you made a Will prior to marriage, unless it is stated to be made in contemplation of marriage to a named person, a subsequent marriage will revoke the Will. The law regards you as having died without

Depending on the value and composition of your estate your assets may pass under the intestacy laws (a specified order of who inherits your estate) to the people you wished to benefit anyway, and The Cat’s Whiskers Summer 2017

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that home-made Will writers often fall into is failing to give away all of their estate by not including a clause stating, “I give the remainder of my estate to….”. When this happens, that part of your estate passes to the people who would have been entitled had you not made a Will at all. Further costs are then incurred in tracing the relatives who are entitled to this share.

If you are single, with no children or relatives, the consequences of not making a Will mean that your hard-earned savings, investments and property will not go to friends or charities but will all go to the government. So, unless after working paying Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT, etc, you have a burning desire to let the Chancellor spend your money for you, please make an appointment with a solicitor to make a Will - and don’t forget Shropshire Cat Rescue! Some large charities will arrange for a free Will to be prepared in exchange for a bequest, and if you are wealthy enough to pay Inheritance Tax, giving a 10% share of your estate to any registered charity will result in a reduced rate of tax.

This article does not constitute formal legal advice and is only intended as a guide. In all cases I would recommend that you consult a solicitor who can provide bespoke independent advice based on your own financial and family circumstances.

leaving a Will, and your estate passes under the intestacy laws. Fortunately, this would mean that your spouse and children would then benefit, but not necessarily in the proportions you might have wished.

If you have children from a previous relationship in addition to your current family, it is even more important to make a Will. Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act, any person who depended on you for their maintenance can make a claim against your estate if they feel that you have not adequately provided for them. The legal costs incurred in dealing with such a claim can be substantial.

It is possible to write your own Will or buy a Will writing pack, but I would advise against this. To be valid it must be signed and witnessed correctly, and the wording used must be clear and precise to avoid any uncertainty after your death. For example, you may write “I leave all my money to….”, but do you mean stocks and shares, bonds, bank accounts, property, or do you literally mean only your actual cash? Another trap Shropshire Cat Rescue

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To flea or not to flea…that is the question?

Advice from Sue Wells BVetMed MRCVS.

across. This in turn will give them tapeworms as the flea acts as a host for this parasite. For this reason it is a good idea to give flea treatment and worm treatments at the same time; some products even do both at once.

There is a great array of products on the market and it can be bewildering knowing what to use.

I would not recommend using off the shelf products from pet stores and supermarkets as they are not very effective. It is tempting to buy products on the internet as they can be a lot cheaper than from a vet.

Just remember: products that don’t require a veterinary prescription will not contain an environmental pesticide, and you will have to buy a separate spray for the home. This is needed to kill 95% of the flea life cycle that can build up in your home.

The other 5% is the only bit you see: the fleas themselves. As an adult flea can lay 50 eggs a day, an infestation can quickly take hold.

When it comes to our cats, the answer is definitely YES! Fleas are a year-round problem for vets and pet owners alike. Having fleas on our pets and in the home is something we should all try to prevent. Flea infestations in our houses are common, due to increasingly warm winters and the fact that we let our feline friends live in our homes with us and often enjoy the comforts of our sofas and beds – just where fleas like to live too!

Fleas cause skin disease in cats as they bite to feed on the blood. They cause irritation and severe allergic skin reactions in cats, other pets and also humans if they get the chance.

When cats have fleas, they tend to groom themselves fastidiously and will eat any fleas they come

If in doubt of what products to buy, please phone your veterinary practice for advice. I am sure they will be happy to help.

Sue Wells graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1984. She worked in Dubai for three years during the 1980s and then for the PDSA in Telford for ten years. She has been practising in Shrewsbury and Shropshire.

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that the items on sale were good; it was that the people who ran it were all so friendly. I learnt later that none of them was paid. Apart from the inevitable overheads, all the money that goes over the counter ends up helping the cats.

It occurred to us that one way we could help was to do something that other people might consider or at least adapt to their own circumstances. The flats have a bin room and we put in an extra bin with a label on it saying we would take any donated items put in it to a charity shop – not absolutely everyone likes cats best, so we didn’t say which charity shop. Lo and behold, in the items came, lots of them. All went well and a steady stream of items went to the shop. Then one day we opened a particularly intriguing bag and inside was a little chap who was clearly looking for a new role in life. He has no name as yet but quickly ended up on the table, then on the best chair – cat carers are well acquainted with this type of thing. His previous life had been spent as a door stop, but he has that supercilious look in his eye that says, “Honestly, I really was above that kind of thing…I’m better than that!”

So far he has refused to be taken to the Cat Rescue shop. He will get there soon, honest. It’s just I feel he has a few more adventures in him yet before we lose touch with him and he moves on to his next carer.

I’ll keep you posted.

The Cat That Got Let out of The Bag

By Paul Lawton, regular SCR shop customer When the last of our rescued cats passed on to the great cats’ home in the sky, we knew we would never have another one. This was not just because she was one of the last great female dictators (given inappropriately the rather benign name of Jenny from a character in the Forest Gump film, which gives you an idea of how old she was) it was also because we felt a cat would now be likely to outlive us. It was also time to downsize so we moved to a flat in Shrewsbury where we quite literally could not have a cat.

This did not stop us going into the Shropshire Cat Rescue shop in town.

It seemed somehow nicer than the other charity shops. It wasn’t just Shropshire Cat Rescue

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Cats Love Care Homes

Cressida and Sparkle with Montgomery House staff Sadie and Freya.

Special thanks to volunteers Marilyn, Theresa, Heather and Marg who also help out on the visits.

Volunteer Daphne Owen with Astra and Radbrook Care Home activities coordinator Gloria.

Tuesday morning is Care Home Visits morning at Shropshire Cat Rescue when volunteers Cressida, Julie and Daphne take cats from the Retirement Village to meet residents from care homes in the Shrewsbury area.

Cats Sparkle, Astra, Sparkie, Pongo and Dexter have been specially chosen for their pliant nature and their ability to be moved from lap to lap and give and receive cuddles unreservedly.

Since the 100th visit in February the team has been to Ottley House, Radbrook, Bowbrook, Coton Hill, Hillcrest, Ideal Home, Montgomery House, Briarfields and The Vicarage, Bayston Hill.

Shropshire Cat Rescue

Jean Beales at Montgomery House makes a fuss of Pongo in his cat buggy.

Volunteer Julie Kampler with Pam Johnson, Ideal Home Care home manager, holding Astra.

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How you can help us Not everyone can adopt a cat but there are lots of ways you can support the work we do at the Shelter.

You can buy an annual sponsorship package for yourself or as a gift. We offer the following packages at a range of prices: • A Retirement Village Cat - £12 • The rabbits and guinea pigs - £15 • The kitten nursery - £25

• The Retirement Village - £50 • The Cat Rescue Shelter - £100

You can find out more about our sponsorship packages online at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk or contact Marion Micklewright at the Shelter on 01743 872857.

Donate any sum of money at our Virgin money giving page.

Giveacar is a not-for-profit social enterprise that can turn your old car into cash for UK charity.

Text SCRT75 to 70070 to donate £3 to the Shelter or Text ‘PURR15’ to 70070 to donate £3 to The Big PURR Project.

By Cheque, payable to Shropshire Cat Rescue and sent to Windy Ridge, Lyth Hill Road, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0AU.

To buy a unique range Shropshire Cat Rescue merchandise from our eBay shop.

Visit our page and donate goods from our wishlist.

The Cat’s Whiskers Magazine The quarterly magazine can be sent to you by post for a minimum donation of £5 for 4 editions. This covers the cost of postage and packaging. You can subscribe online at www.shropshirecatrescue.co.uk or contact Marion Micklewright at the Shelter on 01743 872857.

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Who’s Who at Shropshire Cat Rescue Shropshire Cat Rescue is a Registered Charity (number 1071884). The charity was established in 1998 and is proud to have Virginia McKenna and Jim Hawkins as Patrons.

You can contact us on 01743 872857 at the Shelter. Email us at info@shropshirecatrescue.co.uk or write to Shropshire Cat Rescue, Windy Ridge, Lyth Hill Road, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0AU. Chairman............................................................................................ Marion Micklewright Accounts Officer................................................................................................Simon Edge Acting Shop Manager....................................................................................... Kim Mason Care Home Visits Co-ordinator................................................................Daphne Owen Duke of Edinburgh Award Officer....................................................... Tracy Frampton Facebook................................................................................................................Pat Piggott Fundraising............................................................................................................ Gill Bowler Gift Aid Officer..................................................................................................... Marg Lloyd Media Officer................................................................................................... Anne Wignall Outreach............................................................................................................Julie Kampler Shelter Manager.............................................................................. Marion Micklewright Shop Liaison Officer.......................................................................................... Marg Lloyd Sponsorship...................................................................................... Marion Micklewright Trustees.............................................................................................. Marion Micklewright, ....................Ola Trillo, Dianne Beaumont, Gill Bowler, Anne Wignall, Marg Lloyd Twitter........................................................................... Susan Marine @bigPURRproject ...........................................................................................Marg Lloyd @ShropsCatRescue Website Design and Management................................................................Deb Wales Shropshire Cat Rescue Shop, Roushill Bank, Shrewsbury...............07941 450379

Who’s Who at the magazine Magazine Editor...............................................David Bates: waltonbarns@zen.co.uk Magazine Advertising................Daphne Owen: daphne.owen@btconnect.com Magazine Associate Editor............................. Alice Leiper: aliceleiper@gmail.com Magazine Co-ordinator................... Susan Marine: susanmarine000@gmail.com Magazine Distribution Officer......................................................... Karen Wainwright Magazine Subscription................................................................ Marion Micklewright Printed and published by Spotty Penguin www.spottypenguin.com Shropshire Cat Rescue

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