communicat - cats protection

Our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

whittington fairTo every one who helped on Saturday 6th September at the Whittington Fair - set-ting up, throughout the day and packing away - a big thank you! It was a great day and a total of £191.55 was made after the stall was paid for :-)

top marks at the pub quizMany thanks to those who came to our Pub Quiz at the Turnpike on Monday 22nd September.With the quiz entrance fee and the raffle we raised just over £140!!Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who donated prizes as well.Many thanks to Carol Atton from Burton who wrote the quiz for us and to Lindy,

who was a great quiz master, for letting us take over her pub for the night! She has very kindly agreed for us to do another quiz early in the New Year.

saturday stall in ankersideThank you to Clare Dean for organising the stall at Ankerside shopping centre in Tamworth on Saturday 4th October - what a great success!

Thank you also to Dianne Barre, Sue Speight, Su Sketchley and Clare Dean for volunteering to cover the stall. ...And not forgetting everyone who visited the stall and supported us on the day. It was a busy day in the centre (maybe the rain helped drive people inside in the morning?!) Just over £170 was raised for the branch :-) Thank you.

guildhall christmas fairMany thanks to everyone who helped at the CP Christmas Fair at the Lichfield Guildhall on Saturday 22nd November. It was an enjoyable day, getting into the Christmas spirit with decorations, Christmas songs and Santa hats!!Also thanks to all the husbands and partners of the volunteers who often get dragged in to help and get forgotten in the thanks - a special thanks to you too :-)We raised a great £461.27 in total for the Lichfield and Tamworth Branch - well done everyone and thank you to all our supporters who came along to visit us and spend your money.

CommuniCatLichfield and Tamworth Cats Protection

NEWSLETTERWINTER 2014-15

Fundraising Update...Fundraising Update...Fundraising Update...

0845 371 2741 • [email protected] • www.cats.org.uk/lichfieldCharity No. 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

a grand turnout at the winter fairA BIG thank you to everyone involved with the CP Winter and Christmas Fair at Bromley Hayes Cattery on Sunday 9th November. To those who baked gorgeous cakes and sold refreshments... those who made wonderful crafts and gifts... those who sold our CP goodies... everyone who advertised the event, who came to spend their money and the stall holders for supporting us... and of course, not forgetting the parking attendants and the CP Cats... you all helped us raise a massive £1158.72 :-)

Keep an eye on our website for upcoming fundraising events throughout 2015

2 . CommuniCat Winter 2014 . Lichfield and Tamworth Cats Protection


Fabulous Floral Fundraiser!Firstly thanks to Vanessa for arranging the Flower Demonstration Evening and to Gail and Irene who created such beautiful flower displays - giving their time for free as well!Thanks to the stall holders who supported us again and to everyone who bought a ticket and spent their money. Finally, to all the helpers who worked hard to set up and pack away, a big thank you too.After paying for the hall and flowers we raised £175.88 for the branch - not bad for a cold winter night!

� . CommuniCat Winter 2014 . Lichfield and Tamworth Cats Protection


Rogues Gallery cats & kittens in our care looking for their forever home...

SunnySunny is a very friendly, mainly white and grey tabby boy approximately 8 years old. Sunny was taped inside a cardboard box and left outside the home of one of our volunteers. He was badly sunburnt and has now had surgery to remove the tops of his ears.

Sunny has settled in well and is well behaved and a joy to look after. If you can offer Sunny the new loving permanent home he deserves please contact us.

(Pictures shown were taken prior to Sunny’s operation to remove the tops of his ears)

Olivia is a calico female who has recently had 6 kittens. She is approximately 1 year old and will be vaccinated, neutered and microchipped when her kittens have been weaned. She can, however, be reserved for when she is ready for her next big adventure.

Her kittens will be ready for homing in the next few weeks. It would be nice to home them in pairs if possible but not essential. There are 2 x black kittens, 1 x ginger, 1 x white with tabby markings and 2 x dark tabbies. If you can offer Olivia or any of these adorable kittens the loving home they deserve please contact us.

Olivia & her kittens

Please note: We will not be homing any cats or kittens

again until January 5th 2015. Any other

enquiries please call our helpline.




If you would like to genuinely adopt any of the cats featured, please call us on 0845 371 2741

or email us at [email protected] All adoptions are subject to a homing visit.

She is very gentle and very friendly. She eats “As Good As It Looks” pouches and “Go Cat” dry food. She is very neat and tidy and enjoys snuggling in her bed watching the birds. Kitty looks after her fur very well and so only needs an occasional brush. She is 10 years old, fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped.Kitty lived with a lady since she was a kitten but is now looking for her new forever home as her previous owner is moving house and unfortunately not allowed to take her with her.If you can offer Kitty the loving permanent home she needs please contact us.

Peggy is a black and white female who has a litter of kittens to nurse. She is neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and ready for a new home. If you would like to offer Peggy the loving home she needs once her kittens are weaned she can be reserved now.

This is beautiful Kitty, she has lovely soft long black and white fur.

PeggyKitty




feature article

KEEPING YOUR CAT HAPPY THIS WINTERpeace and quietIf you’re having guests over or are planning a party, make sure your cat has a quiet den to retreat to away from the crowd and somewhere dark that he can hide.

temptationThrow away items such as string used when cooking the turkey, and tidy up tinsel, decorative wrapping ribbons and elastic bands because if eaten these could cause problems in your cat’s intestines.

festive foodThere’s no harm in giving your pet a taste of turkey or salmon, but don’t overdo it. Vets often see poorly pets at this time of year that have been unable to cope with food they’re unused to or have overeaten.

plants and flowersPoinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe berries, holly berries and lilies are poisonous for cats. If you have them in the house, then keep them well out of your pet’s way.

health careIf your pet is on medication ensure you have enough to get you through the festive season; the same goes for prescription food. Make a note of the local vet surgery who deal with out of hours/bank holiday emergencies for your usual practice, just in case.

antifreeze warningWith the coldest winter weather possibly still ahead, car owners will be winter-proofing their vehicles by adding antifreeze. This substance needs careful handling because just a tiny amount of antifreeze can be fatal to cats if ingested.Antifreeze tastes sweet and is particularly appealing to cats and dogs, who will invariably lick their paws after coming into contact with the substance.Seek immediate veterinary treatment if you suspect that your pet has come into

contact with antifreeze. The first nine to 12 hours are critical, as after this period the toxic crystals will have already started to form on the animal’s kidneys.When buying antifreeze look out for less toxic products — those which contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.Watch out for puddles of greenish-blue coloured liquid around the car, which would indicate that it is leaking antifreeze.


Great tips to help keep your cat happy and healthy this winter



keeping your cat happy this winter


Article previously published in Your Cat magazine.

a home truth about fleasSpring and summer are perceived as the worst time of year for flea infestations, but be warned - fleas thrive in the winter too.

Central heating provides a perfect all-weather breeding ground for these biting insects. To combat the problem, you need to use flea products all year round. It seems most pet owners tend to only react to the visible signs and limit treatment to just their pets, which unfortunately means they are usually too late to prevent an invasion, so an effective treatment programme involves treating your home, not just your pet.

It is also important to worm your cat if you discover he has fleas as some forms of tapeworm use fleas as intermediary hosts, which in turn are ingested by the animal when grooming so leading to infection by yet another unwanted parasite!

Image source: www.warrenphotographic.co.uk

fireworksExpect fireworks at Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, so prepare ahead for your cat’s safety and sanity.

• Keep your cat in after dark and provide a litter tray. • Reduce the noise impact by drawing the curtains and playing music with a repetitive beat, although having the TV on should also help.• Provide your cat with a familiar cosy place to hide.• Use feline pheromone plug-in diffusers (available from your vet) to help calm your cat. Start using them a few weeks before the night if possible.

so sad it’s winterAnimals get the winter blues too, according to veterinary charity PDSA who say that affected pets want to eat more, avoid exercise and are grumpier during the winter months.Some pets may even display similar symptoms to the human disorder, SAD, which include fatigue, depressed mood and lack of energy.

ways to cheer up your cat:• Cardboard boxes can be used in many ways to provide entertainment for your kitty.• Create newspaper ‘tunnels’ for your cat to hide and play in.• Play with your pet each day and rotate toys.• Talk to and cuddle your cat.



Article previously published in Your Cat magazine.

Mini Mews...

maybe you have a funny story about your own crazy cat, or an amusing anecdote about the marvellous moggy in your life.

Do you have a tale to tell?

We,d love to hear it!email your story to us at [email protected]

good samaritan rescues rubyA tiny kitten named Ruby owes her life to the sanitation worker in Pueblo, Colorado, who heard her cries and searched through a garbage truck to find her, and then took her to the shelter to be revived.

Emery Baca went hunting through the garbage in his truck when he heard cries.

“I heard something cry and it sounded kind of like a baby. So I was wondering... and I heard it again. I started digging maybe seven inches in the trash. The cat rolled out... the little kitty rolled out.”

Emery was amazed that the kitten had survived several compressions of the trash that were made by the big truck, and didn’t think she would survive after being cold, wet and seemingly crushed. “That thing has a lot of pressure,” he said. “When she came out, she was like a pretzel.”

“When I finally got her [to Pueblo Animal Services], you couldn’t even hear her crying no more. She was just opening her mouth. Nothing was coming out,” Baca said.

Shelter veterinarian Patti Canchola was on duty when Ruby came in, called the kitten a “Ruby in the Rubbish,” and the name stuck and was shortened to Ruby. “She was one pound, soaking wet, ice cold, covered in grease, garbage stuff, just awful and unresponsive,” Dr. Canchola said, adding that had the kitten been brought in much later on she would not likely have survived.

Pueblo Animal Services/Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region is caring for the kitten and will find her a good home when she is ready for adoption. “She’s a wonderful, sweet cat who loves to play and chat with her special friends,” said Julie Justman, associate director of Pueblo Animal Services. “We are so thankful the sanitation worker found her when he did and brought her to us so we could give her the emergency care she needed. Now, Ruby will have the chance to live a full life with a loving family.” www.lifewithcats.tv

CommuniCat is sponsored by Bromley Hayes Cattery www.bromleyhayescattery.com 07877 033815

Holly Cottage, Common Lane, Riley Hill, Bromley Hayes, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 8HR



fat cat ‘texas’ starts christmas dietThe London branch of the longstanding UK animal charity Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has taken in their fattest cat ever and is speaking out against the degree of overfeeding that leads pets into life-threatening obesity.

Meanwhile, 26-plus pound kitty Texas is getting help to lose weight and get fit after losing his petparent and ending up at the shelter.

Battersea says that since the 12kg, (26½ pound) monstrously large cat weighing three times the recommended weight arrived at their London centre they’ve been desperately trying to help him begin to trim down.

When the tabby and white kitty, re-named Texas after America’s larger than life state, came into care last month after his petparent passed away, Battersea staff were stunned to see the size of the eight-year-old domestic long haired cat, whose weight made him proportionally similar to a middle aged man weighing over 500 pounds.

SuiLi Weight, Battersea’s Cattery Team Leader, said: “Many people may be starting to think about losing a few pounds in the countdown to Christmas, but for Texas this really is a very serious health issue he’s battling. We see cats of all shapes and sizes, but Texas is by far the biggest cat we’ve ever seen. We have had to specially kit out his pen with a double staircase up to his bed and extra bedding to make sure he is comfortable.”

Texas has now been moved to a home with foster caregivers where he will have more room to move around and exercise and to get one-on-one attention.

SuiLi added: “Overfeeding your cat is a form of cruelty, you may think you are showing it love by giving it treats and feeding it human foods, but it’s in fact an incredibly cruel thing to do in the long run.” www.lifewithcats.tv

is your favourite feline a purrfect pet?Put the little dear to this test - you might take her down a peg or two!

My Kitty:• Knows her proper place (smack bang in the middle of the king-sized bed, between the other occupants.)

• Practices home improvement - carefully lines up the claw marks on the furniture.

• Greets important company properly - the white cats jumps on the lap of Mr. Black Suit, the black one adorns the white velvet lap of his wife.

• Helps clean the dishes (sometimes when company is still eating).

• Practices time management - eats, sleeps in alternate quarter-hour periods.

• Assists with web site development by helpfully keeping keyboard warm and mouse excercised.

• Protects me from the annoyance of unwanted cats on my shoulders (by getting there first).

• Helps me read the newspaper by holding it down firmly.

• Maintains good grooming habits by washing several times daily

• Provides free wake-up service (at 2, 3, 4 a.m. or whenever hunger strikes)

allow ten points for each affirmative answer.

scores:�0-50: Take another look at your pet. Are you sure he isn’t a giant gerbil?�0-80: Your kitty needs to attend the Bubba Academy of Attitude Adjustment.90-100: Congratulations! Your home is graced by a Purrfect Pet!



1. the way men talkCats like many other animals such as dogs, love a high-pitched human voice or “baby talk”. In fact, it is referred to as a Minnie Mouse voice at many animal shelters where people find that speaking in a soft, gentle, “puss puss” voice can relax an animal and let down the guard even for a disgruntled, distrusting cat. Cats communicate with each other in their high-pitched meows because their hearing is tuned to a higher range. They only start growling when they feel unease and the need for self-defense. Naturally, men speak in a deeper, lower, and more stern tone that is sometimes equated with growls by many shy cats.

2. men are naturally roughCats are extremely sensitive to movements, vibrations and sounds. They can detect your tiptoes and hear your whispers. Often time you may find your efforts futile if you try to walk up behind a cat for a friendly surprise. You get caught almost every time by their big eyes or sharp hearing. They are not like many dog breeds that love playing rough and making grunts. Cats are very vigilant and they tend to attach themselves to soft things such as blankets or pillows. If you have not noticed, many cats start kneading, pumping their paws against any soft fabric or people they like in many cases to show affection. Some cats may like to be held or pet, but none likes to be man-handled. Perhaps their fear of men has to do with men’s nature of being masculine and rough.

�. men are usually taller than women A 6’4” guy with a deep voice and heavy breathing may come off a bit too much for some shy cats. I would be scared if there was a 20 feet giant standing in front of me, flipping his arms or stretching his legs. Not a pretty sight!

feature article

Why are some cats afraid of men?

“We adopted Poppy a year ago. She was very timid around people, probably due to her circumstances before she was rescued, but she has gradually become friendly and more conf ident and loves getting a fuss whenever she can.

Poppy has become trusting and loving towards me, but she is still a little wary of my boyfriend when he comes to stay. She is quite apprehensive when there is a male presence in the house, and even a slight movement from my boyfriend or his voice can sometimes startle her causing her to escape to the garden or another part of the house.”

Image source: www.galleryhip.com

Image source: Artwork by aenaluck www.deviantart.com



why are some cats afraid of men?

�. cats remember their pastPerhaps the most common cause of their repulsion of men comes from their past experience. Cats have excellent long term memories. Unhappy or traumatic events with men in the past can formulate fear or rage against them. On the other hand, if a cat has never been socialised with men, the cat may find men threatening and uncomfortably strange. Imagine you were faced with an alien species that you have never met or heard of, you would be sweating in your palms too.

what can we do to acclimate a shy kitty to men?No worries, guys! As long as you can be patient, it can be done. Here are a few techniques to try...

speak like a catSince we know that cats are attracted to a “puss puss” voice, start talking like a baby. This may sound silly, but this can do wonders for your relationship with a shy cat, (maybe not so much for your girlfriend though, so maybe practice your voice alone!)

feed your cat his/her favorite foodIt is the most effective way to gain trust from them because basically you are establishing yourself as their care taker and provider. It’s a huge assurance for them to see that you are in fact someone they can trust.

play with your catFind a toy that works for both you and your cat. There are so many choices out there. Chewy mice and feather wands (with an attached bell), for instance, work exceptionally well and are a fun way to interact with your cats.

approach your catGet down to your cat’s level or sit on the floor, so your statute won’t be too intimidating to your cat. Move gently and softly around your cat. Before you start, point your index finger at the cat’s nose and let him sniff. Once he is rubbing his face against your finger, it means he has accepted you and you are allowed to pet him. Ask a female to hold the cat if necessary, but never force the cat to interact with you against his will. Let the experience be as easy and smooth as possible.

bond with your catWhen your cat is lounging on the couch, go ahead and pet him. Use the approaching technique before you start petting and bonding. Once he gets very comfortable with you, you can skip the approaching technique.

Part of this article is taken from www.lovemeow.com

Image source: www.galleryhip.com



Success Stories...

A word from Pugsy’s new owner...

“Just thought I would send a photo of Pugsy we had from you some months ago. He is very happy cat.”

PugsyOh look, I match the

furniture... I,m sooo

colour co-ordinated!

PepperPreviously featured in our Autumn issue of Rogues Gallery, she was originally called Missy and has been renamed Pepper by her new owner, who says she has settled in very well... “she’s adorable!”.

Her three beautiful kittens were all homed a while ago and it’s good to see Pepper has now found her forever home too :-)

Yes, I,m quite comfy here

thank you!

We love a happy ending!



Success Stories... Phyllis & BuddyWhen we first saw Phyllis, t here was this little face, so scared and cowering in a corner - she was feral, unloved and full of fleas. We didn’t even know which sex she was as she wouldn’t let anyone near her - it was love at first sight for us!

She was put into foster care, where we visited her, until she was ready to be rehomed - Linda, her foster mum, did a wonderful job with her. She would still hiss and spit but she let you stroke her for a minute.

While she was with Linda, a little black and white bundle (who had been in a box to be disposed of ) was put in with Phyllis.

She objected strongly, hissed and spit and cowered away, but this little boy was having none of it and he went to her and snuggled up. That was it! She started to wash him and he had found a mum and a friend.

We were only going to have one cat but seeing the affection they had for each other there was no way we could just take Phyllis, so along came her friend Buddy.

Phyllis is now 6 months and Buddy is 4 months, they are such fun and also hard work, as kittens are, but we now have a reason to get up in the mornings.

From being a very scared kitten, Phyllis now loves being fussed and she dribbles and purrs loudly, She is gradually getting used to being picked up and cuddled.

Buddy is a delight, full of mischief and love and he also loves a fuss.

They have made our house a home, and their forever happy home.

If you’ve given any of our cats or kittens a loving forever home, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] and tell us about your new furry friend or the latest addition to your family.

Buddy Phyllis

1� . CommuniCat Winter 2014 . Lichfield and Tamworth Cats Protection


Festive Frolicsanother success story!in the autumn issue we reported on missy’s kittens that had been adopted. (see missy, now called pepper, on page 11). here’s an update on their antics... looks like they can’t wait for christmas too!

“The kittens got their first experience of Christmas today. We put our tree up with a lot of help!

They are all exhausted and asleep now with only Jasmine attempting to climb it.

Boris and Smudge just think it’s great fun to see who can knock off the most baubles.



Fun Feline Stuff

The kitty decides when it’s petting time.

Do not pet the kitty like this; it is wrong.

This is also wrong:

If the kitty purrs, you are doing a satisfactory job.

If the kitty exposes their belly, it is an invitation for a tummy rub.

Do not turn this invitation down. It has been said that petting the

tummy of a kitty is like frolicking in the back hair of an angel.

An exposed belly however, can also mean the kitty wants to ensnare you into a whiskered bear trap composed of claws,

teeth and agony.

The trick is to look into their eyes first. What do you see?

Empathy?Or murder?

1

2

3

4Biting and clawing is a sign of “love

mauling”. The more pain they deal out, the more they are trying to tell you

that they love you. Endure the pain and do not stop petting your kitty.

If you do, the kitty will log the time and make up the deficit later.

5 Do not prematurely end the petting session.

How to pet a kitty...

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w.th

eoat

mea

l.com

If the kitty dozes off, you are doing an excellent job.

If the kitty is staring at you with their ears pointed backwards, you are doing an unsatisfactory job.



Empathy?

Paws for Thought... Rescued CatOnce I was a lonely cat, just looking for a home.

I had no place to go, no one to call my own .

I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow.

I ate what ever I could find, I was always on the go.

My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.

And no one stopped to give a pat, or gently say my name.

I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.

For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.

Then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,

And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.

“No one again will hurt you,” was whispered in my ear.

“You’ll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear.”

“You will be dry, you will be warm, you’ll have enough to eat,”

“and rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet.”

I was afraid I must admit, I’ve lived so long in fear.

I can’t remember when I let a human come so near.

And as she tended to my wounds, and bathed and brushed my fur.

She told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.

She said, “We are a circle, a line that never ends.”

“And in the center there is you protected by new friends.”

“And all around you are the ones that check the pounds, and those that share their home

after you’ve been found.”

“And all the other folk are searching near and far.”

“To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star.”

She said, “There is a family, that’s waiting patiently,

and pretty soon we’ll find them, just you wait and see.”

“And then they’ll join our circle they’ll help to make it grow,

so there’ll be room for more like you, who have no place to go.”

I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.

Today’s the day I thought, my family will be sent.

Then just when I began to think it wasn’t meant to be,

there were people standing there just gazing down at me.

I knew them in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too.

They said, “We have been waiting for a special cat like you.”

Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.

“Thank you for the life I live and all you’ve given me.

But most of all protect the cats in the pound and on the street.

And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet.”

Author: Arlene Pace



Volunteer Prof ileName: Su Sketchley

Volunteer Duties:

Assistant Welfare /

Homing Visitor /

Website & Emails Administrator

How long have you been a CP Volunteer?

I have been a volunteer for 3 years.

How did you hear about volunteering with CP?

My husband saw an advertisement in the Tamworth Info-Biz

magazine and pointed it out to me.

What made you want to become a CP volunteer?

After taking early retirement, I felt I had the time to help the charity

and hopefully make a difference to the lives of many cats and kittens.

What,s your favourite part of volunteering?

I f ind all aspects of my various roles interesting, but I think the most

rewarding is f inding our cats and kittens the right homes where they

will be loved and cherished. Some of the emails I get from excited

adopters is reward enough!

Who are the furry friends in your life?

Unfortunately I cannot have cats because my husband has an allergy

to fur, but I get a few cuddles here and there when I visit the cats and

kittens at the fosterers, or adopters

, homes :-)

Calling all new recruits!Lichfield & Tamworth CP always welcome new volunteers, so if

you’ve got spare time to give and you are interested in being part

of our team of helpers that care about the wellbeing of cats and

kittens, please email us at [email protected]



Volunteer Prof ile

Charity No. 203644 (England and Wales)SC037711 (Scotland)

Saturday 28th February 2015Come and join us upstairs atThe Guildhall, Bore Street, LichfieldBrowse our craft stalls, new goods and bric-a-brac, have a go on our tombola and stop for refreshments.Every penny we make goes to keeping those furry friends in our care safe and well.

Wishing all our readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

PS... Don,t forget your CP Calendar!

On sale now for 2015!

communicat - cats protection

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