Newsletter's
SUMMER
NEWSLETTER
2000
Re-location of the Cattery
Well, as you already know we have finally done it! We are now the proud owners of a small bungalow with land on School Road, Marton Moss in Blackpool UK, and shall shortly start the construction of our Sanctuary. When completed it will be a peaceful haven for cats and kittens awaiting new, caring owners. From their outdoor runs, they will have the enjoyment of watching rabbits and squirrels scampering across the garden and there is a peaceful wildlife pond where moorhens and other waterfowl have made their homes. With apple, plum and cherry trees for good measure, we cannot believe our good fortune in acquiring the property. The waiting game has been well worth while.
It has taken a long, worrying time to achieve our goal and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us every step of the way. The sanctuary is costing a great deal of money and our grateful thanks go to those kind people who have already donated to our "Buy a Brick" Fund. The Fund will remain open for a considerable period of time and every penny raised will go towards constructing this much-needed cat welfare centre. When the sanctuary is open, we will be grateful for volunteers to help out in several ways. If you feel you can spare a few hours weekly, please write to the address of the home page.
Welfare News
Without our dedicated welfare ladies and fosterers, we could not have coped with the enormous task of helping cat emergencies over the past eighteen months. Even now, the volume of rescue work is increasing, rather than abating. This spring, we have had to cope with a record number of pregnant and nursing cats, many are very tame, which points to the fact that they were abandoned by their owners once they become pregnant. One little mum gave birth to eight kittens. Although one sadly died the other kittens have now been homed to caring families and the mother cat, now neutered, has also gone to a good home.
We have several neutered/spayed adult cats ready for re-homing. These are healthy, loving cats which, through no fault of their own, have been discarded by their previous uncaring owners. There are also lots of kittens, all colours and boisterous personalities, now ready for adoption. Ring 01253 344396 for more details.
In our last Newsletter we mentioned "Levi" a large tabby/white cat, who had mysteriously crossed the Pennines and was found wandering in the streets of Blackpool. Despite articles in the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Evening Gazette and several advertisements, no one came forward to claim him and we are happy to report that he has now been adopted by caring people in Blackpool.
Did you know that from six months of age, an unspayed female cat can have an average of 15 kittens each year? In fact, she can be responsible for 20,000 descendants in five years! Scary, isn't it? Male tomcats go around yowling, spraying and fighting and apart from producing so many unwanted, neglected kittens, feline disease is more prevalent because unneutered cats fight to protect their territory and often receive bites that result in nasty adscesses. They are also likely to become infected with feline leukaemia, for which there is no cure. If you knw anyone who is reluctant for any reason to have their cats neutered or spayed, please tell them how imprtant it is for their pets to have these simple operations.
Lost and Found Register
This valuable service is run by Hilda who does a brilliant job matching lost cats with anxious owners. The contact telephone number, which is advertised twice weekly in the Blackpool Evening Gazette 'Lost and Found' column is 01253 305542.
Thanks...
Many people donate money, shop articles, raffle prizes and help in lots of ways to ensure that we can continue to help the cats. We are indebted to the volunteers who man the two charity shops at Westcliffe Drive, Layton, Blackpool and Vicarage Lane Marton, Blackpool. Without these hard-working ladies, we would be up the proverbial Swannee without a paddle! Grateful thanks are also due to our dedicated Veterinary Surgeons Mr Robert Jones, South Shore Blackpool and Pearson, Thompson and Callery, Poulton.
It is not possible to mention everyone who supports CATS PAWS, but here are just a few of the kind people who have been so kind over the past three months: Mrs l. Griffiths, Mrs M. Flaynn, proprietors of the Fish & Chip Shop, Woodlands Road, Ansdell, Bill McKechnie Line Dancing Team, Mrs L. McLellan, the ladies of Abbyfield House, Boscome Road Blackpool, Mrs M. Grimshaw, Mr H. Stead, Miss I. Wilkinson, Miss M. Constantine, Mrs D.Poxon, Mr & Mrs Eaves, Mrs D. Walmsley, Mrs C. Cummins, Mr D.M. Holmes, Mrs K. Jennings, Mrs H. Thompson, Mrs P. Clewes, Mrs C. Tolson, Mrs A. Winship, Mr & Mrs Wareham, Mr & Mrs McCann, Mr & Mrs Hatton, Mrs J.M. Kitchen, Mrs I. Condy, Mrs Sutcliffe, Mr & Mrs Boyce, Mrs S.L. Potter, Mr & Mrs Melrose, Mrs M. Connolly, Mr M. Berry, Mr P. Lewis & Miss J Hampson, Mr M. Wilson, Mr S Bullock, Mr & Mrs Hollis, Finsbury House Carpets, Mr A. Gray, Ms L. Duncan,mrs E. Marsh-Brown, Miss A. Sullivan, Mrs mead, Mr Hall, Miss Salthouse, Mr & Mrs Wright, Mr & Mrs Morton, Mrs Berry, Mr & Mrs Banford, Mr S. McLoughlin, Mrs C. Preddy, Mrs k. Starkey, Mrs E. Goukroger, Mr & Mrs Kay, Mrs C Ward, Mr & Mrs Mcadams, Mr J. Allitt,Mrs R. Gunn, Mr J. Chapman and the customers at Pets and Home. As already mentioned, we are indebted to everyone who has so far contributed to the "Buy a Brick" Fund to whom we have replied separately.Morrison's Supermarket
We could not manage to feed all our cats and kittens with out the generosity of Morrison's Supermarket, customers who donate food in our collection box. We are very grateful to the management for their kindness in allowing us to collect food in this way.
Cat Tale...
A couple of weeks ago, an old sick Persion Cat was found in Marton Blackpool and we were asked to deal with the situation. "Sick Cat" is an understatement. This poor, starving animal must have dragged itself around the streets for many weeks, totally ignored by passers-by. It appeared to have had a stroke and was incapable of fending for itself. It is inconceivable that no one cared sufficiently to reprt the cat's condition until it was to late. When at last someone did show pity and contacted CATS PAWS, we took it immediately to our Vet who could do nothing to help the distressed little cat and reluctantly had to put it to sleep...
Finally...
This sad tale emphasises what all animal welfare organisations are up against. Whilst there is so much public apathy towards poor, defencless creatures, our task will become even harder in the future. More "hands-on" assistance is essential, especially from young people who are desperately needed to carry on 'CATS PAWS' work in the future. Please Help....
AUTUMN
NEWSLETTER
2000
Sanctuary News
as you know, the wheels of fortune turn exceptionally slowly when one is hoping for instant action and CATS PAWS luck is no better than anyone else's. A last-minute hold up, involvimg the proposed entrance to our new property, has resulted in an amended plan which is now being considered by the Highways Department. We hope that this will quickly be sorted and then construction of the sabctuary will go ahead without any further delay
The photograph (to follow) shows a section of the land which we will build the sanctuary (where the polytunnel stands) and all cats and kittens will enjoy individual sleeping quarters with access to their outside enclosures. These enclosures will be contructed on each side of the sanctuary and the cats will, no doubt, enjoy the comings and goings of the local wildlife (moorhens, rabbits and a wide variety of birds)
In the meantime, our sincere thanks go to the dedicated welfare ladies and forsteres who are caring for the homeless cats and kittens that would otherwise be on the street sheltering from the rain and searching for food.
Thanks
I is impossible to thank everyone who has given donations, good wishes, cat food, shop articles etc, because we would run out of paper! There has been a tremendous response so far to our 'Buy a Brick' fund and everyone concerned has received an individual certificate to acknowledge their support. I we have missed anyone's name, please don't be offended. We appreciate your help very much. Thanks also to cat lovers of Whitemoss Ave, Mr Royle, Mr & Mrs trudgill, Mrs J Foster, Mrs P Meng, Mr R Sutcliffe, Mrs M Constantine, Mrs F Woodman, Mrs J Norris, Mr & Mrs J D Harrison, Miss R Cardwell, Miss I Gerdes, Mrs P Warden, Mr & Mrs Lyon, the Fish and Chip Shop, Woodlands Road, Ansdell. Linda (Fish), Mrs A Hoole, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, St Annes, Mrs L A Williamson, mrs E Porter, Mrs S Robinson, Mrs maslin, Mrs shaw, Mrs L McLellan, Pets at Home, The Pet Stall, victorian market, Cleveleys, Linda Hayley & Dave, Mrs K Wood, Finsbury House, Ken's Pet Shop, Victorian Market, South Shore, Mrs J Greenwood, lesley Ellison, Mrs Lingarm, Mr Bob Jones, Staff and clients, Mr & Mrs J Thompson, Mr & Mrs Singelton, marie Revill and jane, all the ladies who man the charity shops, and the Management, Staff and generous customers at Morrisons Supermarket also the anonymous lady who left £100 in cash at our Layton Charity Shop. Thank you.
Cat Tale
..."Buffy", a lovely female cat with very unusual colourings and markings, came into our care after she had been seen wandering and scavenging for food in Preesall, Over Wyre, for several months. she was heavily pregnant and in desperate need of help. she soon gave birth to five kittens and the little family settled down happily with one of our caring fosterers. recently, a couple arrived to adopt a kitten, remarking how the little creature reminded them of a muched-loved pet cat that had gone missing from Saville Road, Blackpool, eighteen months earlier, leaving a brother cat that pined for a long time. They eventually came to the sad conclusion that their pet had been killed by a vehicle.
Just then "Buffy" came into the room, followed by the other four kittens. The lady took one look and gasped: "I dont believe it - its her!" The mother cat knew her immediately and you can imagine the cuddling that followed. The very happy outcome of this coincidence is that "Buffy" and her family were taken home where they belonged. One of our welfare ladies accompanied them back to saville Road and witnessed the brother cats's joyful reaction when he saw Buffy". The couple are keeping one kitten and have guaranteed good homes within the family for the other four kittens. all we can assume is that she must have climbed into a vehicle and travelled to Preesall, a distance of at least five miles. She must also have given birth to other kittens during her long absence from home. Needless to say, she has now been spayed
The above tale ...emphasises that missing cats can turn up many miles away from their homes and people who read "Cat Missing" adverts in the local newspaper should keep their eyes open, not only in the area from which it has disappeared, but further afield. If you suspect that a cat is lost or homeless, please give it some food and water, don't ignore it and hope that it will go away. It needs help NOW. The Evening Gazette kindly offers free "Found" adverts and our Lost and Found Register (01253 305542) should be contacted with full details. Also, Petsearch has a local contact number (01253 866301).
Finally ...Don't forget our little hedgehog pals who are now desperately filling their tums before hibernating for the winter. They love cat food!
Tuesday, January 30, 2001