scunthorpe & district cats protection spring 2013 newsletter

Branch Contacts

Branch website:

www.scunthorpe.cats.org.uk

Branch phone: 01652 651001 Mon-Fri 7pm-9pm. In case of emergency please contact your local vet. Membership Secretary: for membership enquiries, newsletter subscriptions and newsletter articles – Wykeham House, Cadney Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 9HW. Branch Treasurer: for donations, 'in memoriam' donations, funds raised. Please make cheques payable to 'Scunthorpe & District Cat's Protection' 94 Station Rd, Gunness, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8TH.

SCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT BRANCHSCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT BRANCHSCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT BRANCHSCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT BRANCH Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland)

MEWS LETTERMEWS LETTERMEWS LETTERMEWS LETTER SPRING 2013SPRING 2013SPRING 2013SPRING 2013

SUPPORT YOUR

LOCAL

CATS PROTECTION

BY BECOMING A

MEMBER FOR ONLY

£5 PER YEAR

(£4 CONC.)

See form on 0

Hi folks Spring has finally sprung and kitten season seems well on its way as we are al-

ready inundated with lots of little furry babies. Its been a very long Winter and we here at Cats Protection are certainly ready for some warm sunshine. We’ve

had a good start to the year managing to re-home approx. 30 cats so far this year already but of course in the current economic climate our budget is limited

with vets/food/litter costs etc far outweighing the small adoption fee so your membership, donations and contributions are vital to our continued success, without your help we wouldn't be able to do the work we do.

In this issue we’ve up-dated you on some of our successful re-homings during

the last quarter and due to a rather large cat, Milly, coming into our care we have published an article regarding cat obesity which makes for very interesting reading.

Please also take note of our Dates for your Diary (see below) and especially our

advert for our up-coming Open Day on Saturday 18th May. We hope you have a wonderful Spring/Summer.

Angie Roberts, Newsletter Editor

DATES FOR YOUR 2013 DIARY

SATURDAY 18TH MAY - Cats Protection Open Day, Appleby Lane, Broughton

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE - Pets at Home Open Day, Lakeside Retail Park, Scunthorpe SUNDAY 9TH JUNE - Pets at Home Open Day, Lakeside Retail Park, Scunthorpe

SUNDAY 14TH JULY - Broughton Show

SUNDAY 28TH JULY - Wildlife Day, Waters Edge, Barton upon Humber

SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER - Cats Protection Open Day, Appleby Lane, Broughton

FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER - Brigg Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER - Barton Christmas Fair

single and double cat pens

all heated

£4.50 per night

meals the same as at home

pet plan insurance

animal fist aid trained staff

all our pussycat guests are cared for individually and all their needs met.

able to accommodate

long term stays medical need covered

several cats from the same family and kittens and elderly cats.

Opening Times (NB. Wednesdays and Bank holidays we close at noon.)

November 1st - March 31st 9.00am-12.00pm and 2.00pm- 4.30pm

April 1st-October 31st 9.00am-12.00pm and 2.00pm-6.00pm

Burton kennels are situated in the village of

Burton-on-Stather , which is approx. 4 miles

from Scunthorpe on the B1430 and approx. 3

miles from Winterton on the B1430. The kennels

can be found by leaving the main road at The

Sheffield Arms and following the signs for The

Wharf. The entrance is on the right and limited

parking is available at the end of the drive. For

more information:-

68 Stather Road, Burton-upon-Stather, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire

Tel: 01724 720238

Webmaster: Webvale

Cats are really clean animals and do not like to use dirty

litter trays so to save the odd accident around the house, it

is in yours (and your cats) best interest to make sure

that their litter trays are cleaned out regularly. This will stop them having to soil around the rest of the house as they will not use a tray if it

is dirty!

Congratulations to our

Christmas Fill-a-Dish

competition winner

MRS PENNY RHODES

OF SCUNTHORPE

Is feline obesity a problem? Yes – Obesity, defined as an excess of body weight of 20% or more, is the most common nutritional disease of domestic cats. Although the frequency varies from one country to the next, we know in some countries that up to 40% of adult cats are obese! Despite these alarming figures, very little is known about the detrimental effects of obesity on feline health. What we do know is that cats that are neutered and live indoors are more likely to be obese. Similarly, male cats are more likely to be obese. With respect to the detrimental effects on feline health, obesity in the cat is a known risk factor for both diabetes mellitus and lower urinary tract disease. In humans, obesity causes an increase in morbidity and mortality at all ages and is associated with diabetes mellitus, certain types of cancer, impaired mobility and arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. Recent studies suggest that heart disease might also occur in obese cats! More work is needed to evaluate this and to determine what other detrimental effects obesity has on cats. Finally, obesity in cats is associated with hepatic lipidosis. This is a severe form of liver failure in cats. It typically occurs in cats which are obese and have then undergone a brief period of “stress” which causes anorexia. The “stress” may be as simple as a change of house or a change of diet. Hepatic lipidosis used to be an almost universally fatal disease in cats. Fortunately, with improved, aggressive and prolonged therapy about 80% of affected cats can be saved. However, it is because of the risk for this potentially fatal disease that treatment of feline obesity needs to be done cautiously and always under the care of a veterinary surgeon.

OBESITY

What specifically causes obesity in cats and how should it be treated? Many factors work together to cause obesity in cats, and as mentioned earlier not all of them are clearly understood. Some are probably genetic, while others are clearly related to diet and environment. Also, as mentioned above, neutering increases the risk for obesity in cats. It is important for the cat owner and veterinary surgeon to keep all these factors in mind when treating the obese individual. Prevention is better than treatment but not always easy. When cats are neutered their food needs to be decreased, apparently because metabolism becomes “more efficient”. Also, cats living indoors are more prone to obesity, perhaps because they eat more out of boredom, but also because they have less opportunity to stay trim through exercise. Remember, everybody should run and play, including cats!! Once a cat becomes obese, the challenge for owner and vet is to promote weight loss safely and then to maintain the optimum weight. In the long run it is better to set realistic goals for weight reduction rather than attempting to force the cat down to a “normal” weight. Usually a 15-20% reduction in weight is a good target that can easily be achieved! Rapid weight loss should be avoided, since it puts the cat at risk of development of severe liver disease, discussed above. Also, weight that is lost slowly is more likely to stay lost! There are no drugs or magic pills which can be used safely or effectively. Commercial “low-calorie” diets are available from veterinary surgeons and provide the basis for effective weight loss. However, they are more effective when combined with additional exercise. This also has the advantage of providing more time for interaction between the cat and the human, which we know provides enjoyment and is beneficial for the health of both. With some patience and extra care, obese cats can be treated safely and effectively, with the ultimate goal of prolonging a healthy happy life!

By Chris Longcake

PENNY

TUPPENCE

A lady was out walking her dog one day near the Lake at Morrisons when she heard cats crying in distress. She discovered a zipped up bag which had been thrown into the water. In it were 2 kittens about 10 months old. She took them home and dried them as they were cold and wet through, it was the beginning of December! They were then handed to the RSPCA who transferred them to us. When they were brought into my care, Penny & Tuppence as I named them, were friendly, gentle kittens, the little ginger one being much more timid. They did not seem to bear any malice to humans, despite the trauma they had been through. After lots of TLC, neutering, vaccination and micro-chipping they were rehomed to a lovely quiet home where they are really spoilt and have flourished. They have brightened up the life of the couple who have adopted them. Irene Allen, Fosterer

Pearl and her kitten Ryan were brought in to me by a lady who found the kitten in her kitchen cupboard and Pearl was coming into the house. They developed into a very friendly and playful

pair. Evelyn, an elderly lady, came to choose a cat and fell in love with both of them. I delivered them both to her when they were ready and they loved their new home. I have spoken to Evelyn

since and she is thrilled to have them, they have given her a new lease of life. During this conversation I found out that she was 92

years old!! I think that you are never too old to adopt a cat and both of you gain love and companionship from each other.

Jenny Williams, Welfare Officer & Fosterer PEARL & RYAN

CATNIP PRODUCTS

Catnip cushions are filled with organic catnip and wadding for comfort.

£3.50 plus 80p p&p per bag

Please make your cheque payable to

Scunthorpe and District Cats Protection

and please remember to include your postage.

All our products are handmade and have been tried and tested on cats in our care, of which they have given their approval.

Please send your request along with payment to:

Secretary, Cats Protection, Wykeham House, Cadney Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 9HW.

I have recently taken in from the vets a ginger cat that was a stray. His long fur was very matted so he was neu-tered and his fur shaved off except for his head and tail. He does look funny but his personality shines through. He is blind, probably only seeing shadows, but he gets to know your voice and he responds by letting you stroke his head then his back. My husband has taken over his care and he likes him very much. We have put him in a pen that is all on one level for his comfort. He loves his food and eats it all up, he is very clean and not one bit of litter on the floor. I am sure he will be difficult to rehome but he has got a home with us for as long as he needs.

Jenny Williams, Welfare Officer & Fosterer

18TH MAY 2013 AT

26 APPLEBY LANE, BROUGHTON 11.30AM—4.30 PM

ADMISSION 50P RAFFLE TICKET

CATS AVAILABLE FOR REHOMING

MANY STALLS & BBQ

BOOKS HANDICRAFTS NEW CP GOODS

CAKES & REFRESHMENTS TOMBOLA

LITTLE GOLDEN WONDER

Bradley was found in the ephalent pit room at Golden Wonder crisp factory (hence the name Brad Pitt). He was a very scared little man (about 8 weeks old) living off potato peelings. He was caught and taken to the vets for a check up, the fear being that he

had breathed in fumes from the ephalent pit and damaged his lungs but thankfully had no ill-effects. He had mites and a pretty bad ear infection caused by a polyp in his ear which was removed when he was neutered a little while later. Poor Bradley stank of rotten potatoes but once cleaned up it was discovered he revealed a lovely orangey/

ginger coat.

Bradley first went to our kitten fosterer Helen Atkinson who, with her very gently, gently approach managed to bring a very timid and frightened little Bradley out of his shell. Helen played socialising dvd’s for Bradley to get him used to the noises of every day home life. Helen stroked him every time she went into the room and he was so nervous he

hated to be picked up and would hide his face in Helen’s arms and close his eyes thinking that if he couldn't see her then she couldn’t see him, but was never aggressive and he never spat or tried to bite. Helen then took in two lovely kittens who had been dumped in a box at Wayside Cattery who were the total opposite to Bradley and he was very

interested in them. Over the coming days and weeks they brought him out of his shell, he was still nervous but more confident and learnt that being stroked was actually quite nice! He still didn't like to be picked up but didn't hide when Helen went into the room. He loved his food, used his litter tray really well and learnt how to purr and was quite startled when he did the first time. Bradley then went onto another of our kitten fosterer’s homes, Re-becca Mawby who continued with his care. When he first got there he was petrified and escaped into the kitchen and found a small hole in the ceiling void. He was finally caught and after that gained a new lease of life. He was still a little wary but day by day became more and more friendly. He didn't bat an eyelid when people came to visit and very much

made himself at home at Becky’s.

Bradley was adopted by a young couple from Gainsborough.

SPACEY’S FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

A percentage of the proceeds of sales will go directly to Scunthorpe & District Branch of Cats Protection

For further enquiries please visit our Facebook page or contact

Spacey on 07977 741950 E-mail: [email protected]

Tommy Gerry

Blind George Pregnant Pepper

7 week old April

If you feel you can give any one of these cats a home please give us a call on 01652 651001

OR VISIT

www.scunthorpe.cats.org.uk

If there are any stories or poems, anything you would like to share with us and would like them printed in our newsletter please write to us at Editor, Cats Protection, Wykeham House, Cadney Road, Brigg,

North Lincolnshire, DN20 9HW.

Flynn Milly

SCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT

BRANCH MEMBERSHIP

If you have adopted a cat/kitten or donated within the last year you are entitled to a year’s free sub-

scription to Scunthorpe & District Branch of Cats Protection, following which we would greatly appre-

ciate your continued annual membership at the nominal costs set out below. Your donations and

membership dues are very important to us and go a long way in helping the cats and kittens we

have in our care with costs such as food, litter and veterinary bills. Our dedicated team of volun-

teers wouldn’t be able to do the fantastic work they do without your help and support. Rest assured

all your donations and membership fees go directly to the Scunthorpe & District Branch.

If you have been receiving our newsletter and enjoy keeping up with our activities and events and

would like to continue to receive next year’s editions, please complete the form below and send your

remittance to the Membership Secretary at the address on the front page of this newsletter.

THANK YOU

Membership runs from January to January every year, but should you wish to join now or

simply make a donation please use the form below.

You could also help us by doing your bit and sending us a stamped addressed envelope so we can

send you your membership card and receipt. We would be very grateful also if anyone would like to

help us by donating a few stamps as every little helps.

Thank you so much for supporting Scunthorpe & District Cats Protection for an-

other year.

THE MORE WE SAVE MEANS THAT WE CAN HELP MORE AND MORE CATS/KITTENS.

Becoming a Member/Renewing Membership

Please fill in the form below and send to the address on the front page of the newsletter

*NEW MEMBER / EXISTING MEMBER MEMBERSHIP NO: (if known): __________________ (* delete where applicable)

NAME____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________

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EMAIL: ___________________________________________________________________

TEL:____________________________

CHILDREN/STUDENTS & SENIOR CITIZENS £4.00 ADULTS £5.00

Please tick if gift aid applies YES/NO

For your donations to be eligible for Gift Aid you must pay an amount in income tax and/or capital

gains tax for each tax year that is at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on your dona-

tion. Gift Aid can only be reclaimed by the Charity on money donated by UK Taxpayers. (For those of us who are blonde, like me, if you are employed, in receipt of benefits or pension you pay tax and therefore are eligible for gift aid)

scunthorpe & district cats protection spring 2013 newsletter

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