News

We are taking the opportunity to offer local services and businesses webspace on our site to advertise themselves in return for donations or discounts. If you are interested in placing an advertisement on our website or think that a link to your website would be beneficial to this site then please contact us. Telephone:- 020 3239 9538 or email info@cats.rolvenden.org.uk

Shy, a tale from Jamaica

Whilst people recognise the invaluable work we do in rescuing and rehoming cats and kittens perhaps a less well known, but very important part is teaching people how to look after their pets.  Because if people were to be more responsible towards those they have in their care then we would find ourselves (along with every other rescue) having to help far fewer cats and kittens.

Normally our help is just offering advice either in person or over the telephone but sometimes our help spreads a little further than the orchards of Kent or even the whole of the UK.  One of our volunteers has contacts with people from around the world via Skype, many of whom have been told about Rolvenden Cat Rescue.  Recently a young man, Richie, a university student in Jamaica, found a kitten.  She was tiny and there was no sign of mum so he brought her back to his room on campus.  She was hungry so he shared his chicken curry with her – not a good thing for tiny tums but she devoured it.  The next day he told our volunteer about his ‘find’ and she helped him to learn more about caring for Shy (named after his lifetime love).

I am not sure whose enjoyment of his journey of discovery was greatest as she shared with us his adventure.  First it was diet – not curry, especially not onions (toxic) and not those tiny milk portions – he thought cats needed milk.  So proprietary food was purchased.  Those with internet access will appreciate those little emoticoms we sometimes use and as each new discovery came along it was accompanied by a wide eyed open mouthed emoticom.  So learning how long cats live (20+ years) was a revelation.  getting her a litter tray and seeing her use it and then covering it over was something met with utter amazement at how clever she was.

This little imp has destroyed headphones, crept into his bed and then played half the night – not good when taking exams!  She climbs everywhere.  But most of all at a difficult time in his life she was there bringing joy into his heart – who could remain very sad when you have such a happy creature as your companion.  It is almost end of exams for this year so she will be going home to his mum and will make her home there and he has learnt the importance of her being vaccinated and neutered.  Hopefully he will be passing some of the knowledge he has gained to others and lives for felines will be improved in Jamaica because of it.

We have just received some photographs of her – up to mischief as usual – and isn’t she just beautiful. And just through that contact Shy will be well looked after.  Absolutely wonderful!

STOP PRESS: it appears that Shy is a boy!  He is far too pretty, but yes a boy he is!

Cats at risk from antifreeze

We received this from St Albans branch of Cats Protection.  Please add your voice to this petition.

Sadly, at this time of year more than any other, pets are at risk of falling victim to a silent killer. The beast in question is lurking in most households, and is called ‘Antifreeze’. Less than a teaspoonful can be fatal if ingested, and usually causes death by kidney failure.

Believe it or not, the sweet taste of antifreeze attracts animals, so much so that dogs have even been known to chew through containers to get at it – with devastating consequences.
So what’s to be done? Well there is a current petition calling for a bittering substance to be added to the liquid, so that even the slightest sniff would put animals off.

Details of this petition, (which closes on 19.6.10) and how to sign it can be found here:  http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/killerfreeze/

Please circulate this to friends and colleagues so that, hopefully, the petition will grow and grow and the ‘bittering’ request will become law.

Thank you all.

The symptoms of Antifreeze poisoning can vary, but some signs to look out for are: excessive thirst and urination, lack of co-ordination, weakness, nausea and vomiting.   If you suspect that your animal may have ingested Antifreeze, get them to your vets

If you would like to talk to someone about your fundraising ideas please contact Suzanne 020 3239 9538 or Ruth 01580 241632 or 0750 413 8398.

Keep your water butts securely covered, there have been reports of cats falling into the water and being unable to get out and drowning.

Collection Tins and Food Bins

If there is anyone out there who can help us by placing a collection tin in a local shop or workplace, or even a supermarket that would be willing to place a food bin in its store for customers to use or even to act as a collecting point for food in your community – every little counts, then please contact Suzanne :- info@cats.rolvenden.org.uk or Telephone: 020 3239 9538

Cat Beds and Blankets

If anyone has any equipment they would like to donate, from old litter trays and cat beds through to towels and blankets then they would be gratefully received. Please contact Suzanne on  020 3239 9538 or info@cats.rolvenden.org.uk

Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organisation such as ours. Without them many healthy cats would be put down and many feral and semi feral cats would lead a life of deprivation. Involvement can be from a couple of hours on an irregular basis at one of our or your own fund-raising events, or collecting bric a brac, or emptying collection tins, to many more as a cat whisperer or fosterer.

Think you can help:- For general enquiries contact Suzanne on 020 3239 9538 or email info@cats.rolvenden.org.uk

Fosterer or Cat Whisperer

If you would like to be a fosterer, cat whisperer contact Ruth on 01580241632 or 0750 413 8398 or email ruth@cats.rolvenden.org.uk

Bric a Brac

Bric a Brac and all sorts of things can be used to sell at our fundraising events throughout the area. To contact us please email cats@shabden.co.uk with your address and telephone number and we will contact you to arrange collection or for you to drop them off with our nearest volunteer.

Buy.at

If you purchase goods through the internet why not check out shopping through our buy.at link on the links page. One of the local voluntary organisations has teamed up with many leading internet retailers and they give them a commission on all sales made through this link – all at no extra cost to you. Before shopping always use www.buy.at/cats.rolvenden