Dear Friends,
We have had a calmer time since the New Year. We have got down our waiting list of cats to come in and (at the moment) are not having to use our emergency spaces.
This has given us more time to sort out vet trips and medical problems, such as Charlie with his over-active thyroid and Me-Too with his kidney problem. Sadly 2 of our pensioners Becky and Glenda, who went for ops turned out to have inoperable growths and did not make it, despite a lot of vet trips and a hefty bill. Someone recently asked why our costs had risen so much from the previous year. One of the afore mentioned cats vet bill came to nearly £500 and anothers’ ‘op’ cost us £23 per minute + anaesthetic £40 + blood tests at £20 for each organ tested. Many of our permanent cats are now getting older so we can expect more expensive vet bills in the future.
We have found new homes for several of our inmates, like Jennie and her sister, Oscar and Amy, (mentioned in our last news letter) and Thrupence and Tiger. In fact many of the ‘Cats for Homing’ from the last newsletter are now living happily in their new homes. We are lucky to find such caring people. One of our new owners is now also doing some voluntary help here which is lovely.
Thrupence, Tiger and Alfie were left behind in a garage when their owners moved. A kind neighbour brought them to us. Thrupence and Tiger are mother and son and 15 and 16, and were in quite a poor state when they arrived. They blossomed and were soon chosen. Lucky was found in a ditch by a lady out riding her horse. She kept her for a week in a bedroom, built up her strength, then brought her to us. She was very thin, quite weak and starving hungry. We thought she must be very old, but when taken to the vet, she was thought to be about 5. Lucky gradually put on weight and turned into a pretty and affectionate cat. She now lives in Staffordshire with 2 of our supporters and is doing well. ‘Me-Too’ was brought here by owners moving away. He is 15 and they had had him from a kitten. He had had his ear flaps removed a few years ago and has kidney problems, poor chap, but he is very sweet. We also have Jarvis, a dark grey tom with a protruding tooth, who is 12. He is also a dear. (See Cats for Homing or our ‘Cats for Homing’ page on our website). Last week a pregnant tortoiseshell was brought in who had been a stray for sometime. She produced a large ginger kitten 2 days later and is so proud and very protective. She whacks anyone who puts their hand near the kitten − we will probably find them a home together later on.
In the meantime we have started our fund-raising. The Jumble Sale did really well in February as did the Easter Fair, despite terrible weather. Thanks to all those faithful supporters who turned out in the rain and made it all so worthwhile. We continue to gratefully receive all donations of cat food, litter, blankets, bedding, newspaper, kitchen roll and items to sell. It just keeps coming and is so invaluable.
Thanks to everyone.
Rosemary Spicer and Margaret Goode
Avon Cat Rescue, The Barn House, Chapel Street, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8PX
01789 750235 website www.avoncatrescue.org
From Helen Hall, 24, Hanson Avenue, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4HL Email info@avoncatrescue.org
What a loyal group of helpers and supporters we have. Due to everyone’s support our Spring Bazaar was not the financial disaster it might have been. Weather wise, the day was reasonable on and off during the morning but as opening time drew nearer the rain came and the wind blew! 2 gazebos only survived to the end of the bazaar due to 2 or 3 very kind and strong people who either held it up when the frames were broken or held the gazebo down when the wind blew. These 2 gazebos will have to be replaced as they are beyond repair.
The outcome was amazing as the final total was £1,785.97p. Thank you all so much. Without your help and support the Rescue would be a much poorer place and seriously struggling to survive.
Our bucket of small change had a massive £137.23p in it. I think I might have to get a stronger bucket and do some weight lifting exercises, but I don’t mind − please keep saving your small change for us.
The Summer Fete (July 26th) is someway off, but please can you help? We need help at anytime between 10am and 6pm. If you can help please let us know so we can organise the jobs. Putting things out and especially putting away is very tiring and any extra help would be much appreciated.
As an ‘insurance’ against foul weather on the day, one of our supporters has offered to pay for the hire of the Memorial Hall. We will only use it as a last resort but it is good to know it will be available. Therefore, if the weather is bad on the day, check to see if we are in the hall. If we do use the hall, the Rescue will still be manned (from 2 − 4.30pm) for anyone wanting to look at ‘sponsored cats’, cats for homing or just generally look around.
When you come to the Summer Fete, perhaps you could bring some cat food, preferably not coloured dry food as many cats do not like this. Pouches and tins are welcome and we also use a lot of kitchen towels, washing-up liquid and black sacks so any of these would be a great help too.
If you cannot come on July 26th, perhaps you would consider sending us a donation, however small. It all helps.
By the time you read this newsletter, the clendar will be complete and being printed. They will cost £4 − the same as last year − they will be available from the middle of July. If you need one sent by post please add 60p for the postage.
Christmas Cards − Donations in lieu of
Over the last few years I have made all the cards and have donated them to the Rescue. The number of packs sold has slowly gone down and last year we sold only 75 packs. I have decided not to make any this year and ask instead that you donate £1 instead. There will be a special tin/collection box for this money and it will be interesting to see if we get as much as the £75 we did last year.
Weekend voluntary Help
We have 4 very kind and hard working people who help us on a Sunday on a once a month basis. We also have Jo who helps every Sunday but sadly she is moving away from the area later this year. We also have 1 lady who helps most Saturdays and 1 who helps every other Saturday. Is there anyone else who could help either on a Saturday or Sunday for a couple of hours once a month? If so, please get in touch. Every extra bit of help makes Rosemary’s and my life a little easier.
Other ways you can helpSponsorship is an invaluable part of our income providing us with between a fifth and a quarter of the money we need each year. We have over 50 cats with us permanently and this scheme helps us to support them. It costs £18 to sponsor a cat and in return you will get a photo and details of the cat plus our three newsletters a year. If the sponsorship is for a present a birthday card will also be sent from the cat to the recipient.
A form for sponsoring can be found at the end of this newsletter. Alternatively you can send you name, address, name of cat you wish to sponsor and cheque to me, Helen, at my home address. Please remember to make the cheque payable to Avon Cat Rescue.
NEW CATS FOR SPONSORING
As I said in the last newsletter this pen and house is about to be replaced. This has been made possible due to a legacy left to us, so no fund-raising! By the next newsletter I hope it will all be finished.
People are very kind in bringing us newspaper, things to sell, bedding etc. We often have no idea who has sent them. It would be nice to know even if you do not need a thank you. We would be grateful if you will just leave a name with the items. Thanks
NB Over the last couple of months we have tried to sort out and slim down our mailing list. This review is almost complete. If you know of anyone who has been omitted please let me know.
Our next newsletter is due out late September.
CHARLIE (white)
Charlie has settled in very well and has found a happy routine within the family. He relates very well to people and one of his greatest pleasures is to find a warm lap and a cuddle. He has a ‘real personality’, learns quickly and makes his needs known very clearly. He loves to chatter and is quick to greet visitors (with the exception of dogs). He does enjoy going out and quickly took to his new cat flap. Unfortunately he recently injured his paw which led to the removal of one claw and stitches on his paw. He looked after his bandage very well and made no effort to interfere with it. He has now had the stitches out and is making a good recovery.
Marley
Thanks for bringing me Marley. He’s a lovely little cat, full of fun and energy. He’s had his first jabs and the vet is very pleased with his progress. Neutering and micro chipping later. He is busy exploring his new surroundings now − if you hear a crash, that is where Marley is! He and Oliver (my eight year old) have little ‘plays’ together. Katie (twelve) is not so convinced, but I am sure will come to love him as I do.
Hope his siblings have found good homes.
SIMBA
Just wanted to give you a report on Simba as he has now been with us for three weeks. Simba has settled in extremely well, he loves to play with his ping-pong balls and milk bottle caps as shown. He is very affectionate and loves to curl up on my lap in the evenings and comes up to see me in the mornings for a quick cuddle as well.
Rest assured he still has his kitten streak and loves to play (I have the war wounds to prove it!!) but I wouldn’t change him for the world.
I feel very lucky to have homed two cats from Avon Cat Rescue, both of which (so far) have given us much pleasure.
MISTER BUMBLE (white and grey − was Percy)
John, along with two friends, collected Bumble on January 15th. He was Percy but we re-named him and he seems to respond to his new name. He settled in quickly and is very affectionate. After sleeping for five days and nights when we got him home, he suddenly came to life and wanted to play. He is so funny the way he pounces on newspapers strewn over the floor. He runs about like a hooligan for a while then goes back to sleep! He eats well but only having four teeth manages better when helped. He likes company whenever he can! He doesn’t mind who lit is! Everyone loves him. I did let him out after a week but he went into the next garden, then the next. He did this twice and I was afraid I would lose him so he stays in and goes in the garden occasionally with his harness and lead on which he doesn’t mind at all.
He is a much-loved pet and will be taken good care of.
BOO
Boo has settled in well into our family home. She enjoys lots of play with our two children − Mollie aged 5 and Lucy 2½ − chasing a ball of wool around the house! Boo has found a piece of carpet which she enjoys playfully pulling up whilst we are putting new flooring down! She sits in the dining room watching the goings on in the garden which she will soon be able to go and explore. During the day Boo sits on our bed in the sunshine and at night she likes to get under the duvet for a cuddle. Boo is eating well and enjoys two meals a day − morning and night. Earlier this evening Boo has been watching our two goldfish with great interest. She is a lovely cat to have and we hope we will have many years with her.
May we thank you for all your help.
ROSSI AND BINX
We brought Rossi and Binx home on the Saturday just before Christmas, only 7/8 weeks ago and yet it feels as though they have always been here, Rossi on any available comfy bed and Binx on the kitchen chair. At first they spent time exploring the house and Binx was really quite nervous so we put their bed in a quiet corner. After a week of settling in we opened up our catflap and Binx went out for 4 hours, we were so worried, but by breakfast time there he was, ready by the bowls.
Their bed in a quiet corner has never been used, both cats prefer a comfy chair and Binx particularly prefers a comfy lap. During the day Rossi sleeps on beds and chairs and Binx likes to go out in the back garden. Binx likes to play with a shoelace and in the evening likes to curl up and be scratched under his chin on someone’s warm lap. Binx is much more relaxed and keen to be with people now that he knows us. Rossi always likes some attention and particularly enjoys stretching out on his back with his paws in the air in front of the fire. They play fight together and have to be told not to go on the kitchen table. Rossi is always interested in any sort of food!
They have so quickly become part of our family. Thank you for these beautiful cats.
SAM (known as Ferdinand at the Rescue)
The first two months were traumatic where Sam lived under the kitchen units or behind the freezer or sofa. He was not good at using his litter tray. Neither did he appreciate a trip to the vets. The vet thinks he is a Norwegian Forest cat look-a-like.
Now we have a cat who is noisy, not timid, purrs, not hisses and has wonderful mad cat times. He is still jumpy and terrified of new people.
BOBBY & MUMBLES (know as Fats and Rossi whilst at the Rescue)
Bobby (Fats) and Mumbles (Rossi) moved into their new home on April 26th and within a couple of hours they had settled in and were ruling the house.
Over the next couple of days they had many visitors and seemed to cope well with all the attention (ha ha). Mumbles (so named due to all the talking he does!!) certainly had a lot to say for both of them.
Both cats so far have enjoyed being spoilt with lots of new toys and have great fun playing with them.
Mumbles enjoys a good chat, particularly when he wants some fussing. He enjoys sleeping on the bed, on a sunny afternoon catching a few rays. Other than that, his favourite place is right under the duvet!! I often check him to make sure he is still breathing, which he is, and he looks at me as if to say “Do you have to disturb me?!?”
Bobby is a very loving cat who, I am sure, thinks he is a dog, as he follows you everywhere (even into the bathroom). His favourite pastime is giving you a wash. He does have an immaculate coat and obviously thinks everyone else should − including Mumbles whom he often washes. Mumbles is happy to lie there and let him!
Both cats are also currently enjoying having a mad half hour at 5.30am in the morning.
Other than that they have both taken ownership of 2 dining room chairs, where they lie and watch the world go by.
At feeding time, both cats are very patient, but definitely have a particular bowl they like to eat out of. Mumbles like to eat his and then tries to eat Bobby’s, but he won’t have any of it.
Bobby and Mumbles are happy to do their own thing, but Bobby has always got one eye on where Mumbles is and what he is up to.
We recently attempted to give the cats a taste of the outside world, but both cats took one look/sniff and ran back inside. I think it may have something to do with it being a little windy.
Both cats are wonderful, and have given us a lot of pleasure in a short time. They both have fantastic characters and are great in their own individual ways.
MAISIE − known as Puss at teh Rescue
Further to my email and one months on from Puss’s arrival; we wanted to say a big thank you and let you know just how much we love Puss and how great it is to have her here! From day one she has settled with ease and been great fun. Luckily Puss is rarely alone so has plenty of opportunity to play chase, have snuggles and generally be a gorgeous little show-off. The house would feel very empty without her!
We haven’t experienced any problems with her encounters with men; only purrs and curiosity! She seems right at home and at ease. She has been great fun.
We do still call her ‘Puss’ but we also chose Maisie after a week or so. It seems to suit her being both pretty and a little bit cheeky. Maisie spends her days chasing blue twine, bouncy, noisy Easter egg decorations and twigs. She loves twigs and swinging with great gusto around her scratching post. Her greatest temptation appears to be the dripping tap and she will even investigate when I am in the bath! She has snuck outside on occasions (luckily she also comes when called) and I have no doubt she will take to the great outdoors with ease. She has been very good at the vets and no trouble at all with us at home. Thank you so much for bringing Maisie into our lives.
COSBY
Sorry it has taken a while to tell you how Cosby is doing. He is great and has settled in really well. He is such a character we’ve completely fallen for him and he’s definitely the man of the house now! He did take a while to settle in, he was very nervous for the first few weeks and had a little go at his fur, but now, as you will see, he is VERY relaxed and has a beautiful coat.
He has rejected all the fancy bed and toys we’ve given him and instead, as you will see, he much prefers to sleep and play on plastic bags. All very well but it makes the apartment look very messy! This has taken a long time to write as he was sat on my lap and managed to delete everything..
Thank you.
ALFIE
When we first saw Alfie, we knew he was the cat for us. He was rather scared but had a sweet face which won us over. He was not happy in the car going home and when there, he disappeared under the bed for about 8 hours. However, when he came out he was loving and friendly which is how he’s continued to be − even to a fault − you don’t always want it at 3.30 in the morning! We decided to keep his name as it seemed to suit him and perhaps he was used to it. He had been abandoned by his owners when they moved house − leaving him and two other cats behind. A kindly neighbour brought them to the rescue. How can people do that? Anyhow, we followed the excellent guidelines given by the rescue to introduce him to our other cat though this has not gone entirely to plan. B.C. (our other cat) thinks he is TOP CAT since our last cat died and chooses to let Alfie know it by chasing him on occasions. Alfie moves fast and B.C. sees this as a challenge. However, they have not fought so we hope that in time they will work themselves out even if they may not be friends.
Certainly Alfie is the sweetest, friendliest cat we could ask for − he especially loves to sleep on us at night and amuses himself and us by sitting on our heads, begging us etc. to get our attention in the mornings.
SPONSORSHIP FORM
Name of cat chosen _______________
Amount enclosed £______ (£18 per cat) If for a present please give the birthday ___________
Name _______________________
Address _______________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Post Code ______________
Please send this form with your cheque (made payable to Avon Cat Rescue) to Helen Hall, 24, Hanson Avenue, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4HL