News
Once again, the summer season has brought a flood of kittens. From a slow trickle, causing us to think that perhaps the neutering message was finally getting through – we are always optimistic! - it then rained cats and kittens. We have taken in a number of cats with fairly well grown kittens, which generally require a considerable amount of socialisation from our fosterers. Even if the mother is friendly, having started out life as an 'indoor' cat, the kittens are not used to human contact and can be very hissy and spitty, needing to be handled and coaxed into friendliness by the fosterer. Having a pregnant Mum is also not without its problems; generally the 'foster Mum' seems to get more worried than the pregnant puss, getting up several times during the night to check that all is well as 'due date' approaches. The mother just gets on with the task of having her kittens and cleaning them up, impervious to the concern of the fosterer!
Changeable weather has not been ideal for fundraising, causing some events to be cancelled, but we have been out and about, and there is a more detailed report from Beryl later in the newsletter. We are very fortunate that so many people donate all sorts of goods for us to sell at the different types of events – books, bric- a-brac, jams, marmalades, pickles and cakes – as well as tombola and raffle prizes. We also find that our food boxes in various supermarkets are filled by generous shoppers – and a
special mention to Pets at Home, whose wooden box at the front of the shop can be an absolute treasure trove of all sorts of cat food, litter, toys, etc. that are either donated by their customers or passed on to charities because they can't be sold in the shop.
Do remember that we are always happy to include individual orders for cards, calendars, presents, etc. from the CP Christmas catalogue on the branch order. We benefit from the profit and you don't have to pay postage! Just get in touch with Beryl, who will also arrange delivery once your goods arrive.
Lydia Shelton -Coordinator
11 Rooks Farm Road, Yelland, Barnstaple, EX31 3EQ
Tel: 01271 860787
SUMMER FUNDRAISING 2009
Our outdoor fundraising events have suffered this year because of the inclement weather we had in July. Due to the deluge of rain we were not able to attend the Dogs Trust event in Braunton or the Chumleigh Old Fair much to everyone’s disappointment.
The North Devon show was wet and muddy underfoot but we met a lot of people and raised nearly £300. Many of the cars and trailers were being pulled on and off the site but we were one of the lucky ones and did not need assistance – much to the relief of my husband who did not relish the thought of having his vehicle and the trailer being
pulled by a tractor.
One area of fund raising that we have promoted this year is going along to the Sunday Car Boot Sale at Pottington Barnstaple. We found that we can make around £60 to £70 an afternoon selling items that have been kindly donated to the branch. So if you are turning out the attic and find items you no longer wantthen please contact me as we are always grateful for books, clothes and bric-a-brac.
Jess “our cat” has been seen at various locations and at the Pilton Green Man event was seen dancing along to the live bands that were on stage which made everyone laugh. The children either love her or are slightly frightened to see the large black and white cat actually wave at them. It is certainly a big thank you to Ann for dressing up and giving everyone a laugh which is what we can do with these days.
During the summer we have had many new volunteers kindly giving up their time to come along and help at various events – Sue Forsyth, Mr & Mrs Jarvis, Jeanette Guy and Mel Denning to mention a few. Of course it is also a big thank you to everyone else that continues to help at the events. Christmas is only a few months away and I have already received (and started to sell) cards and calendars. Many of you will shortly receive the Cats Protection Christmas Gift catalogue and this year I would like to offer you the chance to save postage costs. If you contact me with your orders by 31
October 2009 I will place the order and thus only get charged one postage cost. Orders can either be sent to me by email dave20000@tinyworld.co.uk telephone 01271 812121 or post details to me at 1 The Brittons, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2HE.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Beryl Lloyd
Fund Raiser
BELLA
Bella was brought to me on 9th July as a very heavily pregnant blood tested cat with no problems. She had been examined by a vet who said that she had approximately 7 – 10 days left before giving birth and that she was going to have at least 3 kittens.
Bella seemed huge but over the next couple of weeks seemed to grow even bigger. She looked fed up and extremely uncomfortable. On the morning of July 27th nothing seemed any different. She had been behaving normally other than moving bedding around. At 11.30am I popped out to see Bella who was acting strangely and had
deposited some liquid. I knew now that it was happening. I was excited but a little bit apprehensive, at it was my first time.
My 2 youngest boys and I watched Bella in the early stages, she was calm and we comforted her. She was purring and treading her paws. Before long we could see a sac appearing and looking closely could see a tail and a paw – breech, not good for the first time. After pushing for what seemed like ages but in fact was only 15 mins Bella gave birth to kitten number 1. She cleaned it up whilst giving birth to kitten number 2. Kitten number 3 followed shortly afterwards. She seemed to spend a long time cleaning so we weren't sure if there were any more. I felt her stomach and could feel more in there. After preparing my sons lunch I attended Bella again, number 4 had been born in the short time I was gone. Number 5 appeared swiftly afterwards. Bella was very tired and looked like she'd had enough so I left her alone.
At 3pm I thought I would check again and number 6 had arrived. They were all suckling from Bella. She seemed very pleased with herself but looked like she needed a good rest. I left her alone with her family. I was a very proud 'foster' mum. Bella had done a fantastic job.
Although Bella had given birth, I was now concerned that something was going to happen to the kittens. Checking each morning I was pleased to say that they were all fine. They are now four weeks old. They have started to play and I spend a lot of time with them. They are beautiful and I look forward to doing it again next year.
(The photo above is Bella with her kittens)
Sarah Pincombe
Fosterer
FINDING HOMES FOR CATS AND HOME VISITING
An essential part of our work consists of matching the right cat to the right home. Beryl & Sarah have been responsible for taking cats into branch care and ensuring that they all receive veterinary checks and treatment, any procedures such as neutering and vaccination, plus flea and worm control, before they can be put up for rehoming.
Beryl and Sarah have also been sharing the Homing Officer role very successfully and this has helped to avoid 'burn out' – having done the job myself for well over a year, I know how demanding and difficult it is.
So what happens when somebody wants a cat?
A high percentage of calls come initially to me, as I have the branch general contact number, and I do attempt to screen them. Some people ask if they can visit our 'adoption centre' to choose a cat and I have to explain politely that we don't operate like that. There is also no point in home visiting if somebody wants a kitten in February – they are asked to contact us again after the kitten season has started in April when we can give them some more up to date information. However, all other callers wanting cats in our postcode areas EX31-EX37 - are passed on to our homing number – 08453 714203 -where their details can be taken by Beryl or Sarah, and we hope, matched up with those of cats in our care. Kay Twine is our 'direct homing officer', and she can be involved at this point if there is a suitable cat available that can go from one home to the next– via the vet for checks and treatments. Details are then passed on to a home visitor, who gets in touch with the prospective owner as soon as possible and arranges a visit. What are we looking for? A safe, caring home, not adjacent to a busy road, and with some garden space. Many of our cats have experienced some level of trauma in their lives and may have very strong views on dogs, other cats, children, etc. We will not home small kittens where people are out all day as kittens need regular meals and company and we do hope that older, less active people, are willing to take on older, less active cats, which is where our Golden Oldies support can be helpful. After a successful home visit, prospective owners can meet the fosterer and suitable cats, and, with any luck, cat and home can be matched. It is very distressing for everybody when a cat has to come back into our care and it is essential that home visitors explain that some cats will take time to settle – hiding behind the sofa for 48 hours is not at all unusual! – and the new home needs to be tolerant and understanding of the cat's need for privacy and reassurance. Home visitors need to be able to give some guidance on cat behaviour and, if we have a new cat owner, that involves a more detailed discussion of cat care. Fortunately we are provided with an excellent and comprehensive range of leaflets by the National Cat Centre, and we do encourage new owners to read these before the cat arrives.
We are all delighted when a cat goes to the 'right home' and it always good to have news that the cat has settled in well and is now a much loved member of the household – if our work for Cats Protection has any 'perks', that has to be one of them!
Lydia Shelton -Coordinator
