Bromley Cats Protection Summer Newsletter 2016

Transcription

1 CHARITY No (ENGLAND & WALES) SCO37711 (SCOTLAND) Bromley Cats Protection Summer Newsletter 2016 Visit our website:

2 Dates for your diary These are the current dates for our hall sales. Please come along to meet some of our volunteers, support our work and have a drink and some homemade cake. There is a variety of stalls including jewellery, cosmetics and gifts, good quality clothes and accessories, cat goods, bric-a-brac, a tombola, a raffle, and our very popular refreshments. Also see our website and subsequent Newsletters for new dates added, especially the summer outdoor events Saturday 10 September 2016 Sale at Holy Trinity Church, Lennard Road, Penge, SE20 7LX Helpers from 12 noon. Open to public from 2pm. Saturday 1 October 2016 Combined Animal Charities at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to the public from 2pm. Saturday 5 November 2016 LAST SALE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Christmas Bazaar at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, BR4 0PW Helpers from 12 noon. Open to the public from 2pm Our next indoor sale starts at 2pm at Holy Trinity Church, Lennard Road, Penge on Saturday 10 September. Buses 75 and 194 stop just a short walk away. Penge East railway is only a stones throw. There is also plenty of free parking. This venue was a runway success last year! Please come along and enjoy the fun, pick up a bargain and enjoy some homemade refreshments. If you would like to contact us Write: Bromley Cats Protection, PO Box 1124, Bromley, BR1 9TU Website: Visit our website and see our Contact Us page for the online enquiry form Homing: Jenni Neutering: Jenni Lost & found: In the first instance please complete the online enquiry form on our website. Hilary or h.hamilton4@ntlworld.com Membership: Eve or eve9nq@yahoo.co.uk Helpline: Editor: Tracy would love to hear from you with stories about the cats you have got from us as well as other articles of interest to our readers. Write to her at the above PO Box number or BromleyCPL@outlook.com. Front cover Our stall with all our smashing outdoor sale helpers at Foal Farm Country Festival this year

3 Words from The Editor I hope everyone has had a good Summer whether you had a staycation here in the UK or a holiday further afield. The sometimes wet and windy weather interspersed with sunny days has lead to good crops of fruit and vegetables. Sandra, our treasurer and one of our bakers, has already picked over 18lb of local blackberries and has been busy making jars of delicious Bramble Jelly for you to buy at our sales. We have had quite a few kittens being born over the summer and some are now ready to be homed. If you are thinking of adopting a cat or kitten please see the homing page further on in this Newsletter and also take a look at some of our cats who need rehoming on YouTube. Follow the link on our website or type into your browser. It costs money of course to rescue and foster cats and kittens in our care, and on behalf of all of us at the branch I would like to thank everyone who donates money or items for us to sell. Our Membership Secretary has mentioned that quite a few people on her list are still due to pay their 2016 annual subscription of 10 so if you are able, please send this as soon as you can. Of course we really welcome new members and a membership form can be found at the end of this Newsletter. Congratulations to Pat who was the winner of our Word Search competition in our last newsletter. The answer was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Pat won a selection of Dreamies for her cat Tilly. For this Newsletter we have a got a wonderful cat face to colour in this is not just for the kids, I m sure you have seen all the colouring books on sale billed as relaxation for adults! I want to also say thank you to all you who has contributed articles to this newsletter. Writing an article can be difficult and it takes time, so I really appreciate new owners taking time out to showcase their new cats and share with us all their experiences. All our members enjoy reading them and I hope it will encourage others to perhaps consider taking on one of our rescue cats, or adding to their feline clan. It is such a rewarding feeling to watch your new arrival gain confidence and trust. Kittens are wonderful, but for me personally, there is something really special seeing the change in a mature rescue cat. Sometimes I think they rescue us! Finally, please note that we do not have sale in December this year, so please make a note in your diaries that the last sale before Christmas is 5 November 2016 where we will have a great selection of cards, wrapping paper and calendars on sale as well as our normal stalls and our delicious homemade cakes and other refreshments. All competitively priced with proceeds going to help the cats in Bromley Borough. Tracy

4 Top 10 Plants for a Cat Lover s Garden Like most wildlife (my four cats are pretty wild at times!), cats much prefer a garden that is a bit rough at the edges to one that is maintained in immaculate order. Manicured lawns and narrow borders filled with the sort of summer bedding plants you see in your local park can quickly become a desert for wildlife and offer little opportunity for a cat to show off their natural instincts. Here are some cat-friendly garden ideas to get you thinking CATNIP (Nepeta cataria) Even more potent that catmint, this is the one they use to stuff kitty pillows and toys. Not as attractive as catmint, but easily raised from seed and will produce self-sown seedlings once established. CAT GRASS (Avena sativa) There are several grasses that cats can snack on, but this is the most widely available as seed or increasingly sprouting pots. RUNNER BEANS What a treat the first tender beans of summer are. Easy to grow and highly ornamental, set them out on a wigwam of canes or beans poles in early June to give your cat a secret hideaway and a shady spot to snooze. SCENTED LEAVED GERANIUMS (Pelagoniums) These are fascinating and smell of zingy citrus fruits like lemon, lime and orange, plus peach, apple, rose and Turkish Delight! Plant them in pots where kitty can rub around the foliage. SUNFLOWERS Sew them directly where you want them to flower, or start off indoors in small pots. Choose from 12-foot monsters to shoulder-high blooms and under plant with Cosmos to thicken up the jungle. MICHAELMAS DAISIES These wonderful late summer and autumn daisies stand out when others are flagging. Aster x frikartii is the one to look out for as it is a gem and free from mildew. Smothered in bees and butterflies they are tall enough to form dense cover below for hunting expeditions.

5 PUMPKINS AND SQUASH Choose trailing varieties and plant them through a woven membrane like Plantex to prevent weed growth. Your cat will have a whale of a time playing hide and seek. EUCALYPTUS NIPHOPHILA With handsome, scented, grey evergreen leaves, a patchwork bark, and unlikely to exceed bungalow height, this is a great choice to add character and of course, a kitty climbing frame. CARYOPTERIS Not as widely known and grown as it should be, this is another late summer, blue-flowered shrub, highly attractive to insects and perfect for that hot spot under a wall or fence. It provides privacy and shelter for a shy cat. TALL ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Choose a mixture of any of the tall varieties of Miscanthus grass and you ll soon have something resembling a sugar cane planation. Elegant, atmospheric and the perfect stalking ground for a cat on the prowl. Colour Your Way to Calm

6 Oliver! Oliver! Oliver was rehomed earlier this year with a lovely lady called Rachel and her family. Oliver is a much loved mischief maker who has even taken up piano lessons! I asked Rachel if she would send me a paragraph or two about young Oliver but she has done one better than that and created some verses. It's based on an A. A. Milne poem called Jonathan Joe Oliver O had a mouth saying oh When he was left on someone s front doorstep, CPL took him in, Even though he was thin, And nurtured him into a new pet. Oliver O, had a mouth saying oh When arriving at Laurence and Janet s, What luck he said As they showed him his bed, And he soon became somebody s favourite. Oliver O, had a mouth saying oh, When a red headed lady popped in She put up with his nips And his crazy antics I might have a new life to begin Now Oliver O, had a mouth saying oh Can this new place called home be real? A warm bed, comfy lap A garden, lots of naps Shame big boots was part of the deal! Oliver O, has a mouth saying oh I m so lucky to get this second chance But it s the red head who s smitten With this beautiful kitten Who delights in leading her a merry dance. Rachel

7 Bubbles a year on Bubbles was featured in last Summer s newsletter, and a year on he has settled into his not-so-new home and is enjoying life with his Mum, Kay. Kay is a keen amateur photographer and Bubbles is a very willing model, As well as modelling, Bubbles also likes to write, and he has written a few words below. When I first moved into my home last year I was quite nervous and fearful of many things with no reasons. I used to do things like running away from my garden if I spotted my mum appearing. It sounds totally crazy. Inside the house I was normal and would go up to her; I did not know why I had to do that outside. Over time I became relaxed, and now I do not even move from the sofa when she starts a vacuum cleaner. My morning starts by visiting her room. I cannot wait to have my breakfast, so we go downstairs together along with my brother cat and I hop like a rabbit racing ahead of her trying to get to the kitchen fast. After she has gone to work I find a comfortable spot to have a nap. I usually open the closet and snuggle amongst her clothes, as I want to put my scent and lots of fur on the clothes. Some days I sleep on the sofa, or on the scratch post platform next to the radiator or I might squeeze myself into a tiny cardboard box. My brother always sleeps at the same spot on her bed. He is fixed on the routine - but me, I have many places to choose from. When she comes back home I welcome her by throwing my body onto the floor exposing my tummy. I want tummy tickles. Did I hear you are saying I am not doing anything? That is not true. On a rainy day I am ever so busy doing my job. I have to go to the garden to catch frogs. I am a bit slow so I cannot catch mice. One evening I was working hard in and out of the house and managed to bring three frogs in a couple of hours. That was a real achievement and I am so proud of myself!

8 Update from the Welfare Desk Since the last newsletter, the branch has seen the usual seasonal increase in calls about strays and cats needing rehoming. As all the animal charities reach capacity, the calls come from a wider area, but as we are also full, sadly we are usually unable to help apart from giving advice. However, in July we received a call about three 6 week old kittens living in a garden, in East London. As they were at the point where if not handled they would be left to a life as ferals, we felt we had to intervene. Fortunately they were well contained in a small fenced garden, so with Brender's help they were quickly trapped. All three kittens responded well to handling, and two are now awaiting homes (see cats for homing page for Bonnie & Mia), and their other sibling already has found a new home. Thankfully the finder realised that the kittens were becoming feral, and took action. Sadly we often get calls where people have ignored the situation, and we are faced with sick toms who have been around for years, heavily pregnant cats who have been left for months, and kittens who are over 12 weeks and now feral. We are grateful for all the kind people who feed strays, but would urge them to contact charities for advice after taking steps to check if there is an owner. In July, we received a call from a woman reporting a cat living under a car. We arrived to find a tiny grubby black and white cat, and we were able to quickly catch her as she was so hungry. She was only young and unneutered, so was caught just in time. Still very timid, fosterer Jannette is currently helping Minnie to learn to trust humans again. In early June, we finally caught a stray unneutered tom, Bobby, who was notorious in his area and had evaded capture for over a year. At first, though he craved affection, he was also nervous and would often nip. Gradually he learned to trust and adjust to living in a home again, and we were delighted when he recently found a new home. We would like to thank the new and long-term fosterers, your contribution means that we can continue to help cats and kittens in the Bromley area. Janet, Laurence and Laura

9 We need a loving home Amber is a lovely 9 month old girl. Her fosterer says "Amber is so lovely, she is very gentle and sweet, she enjoys strokes and company." Bonnie and Mia are an adorable kitten duo looking for a new home together. Their fosterer says "Bonnie and Mia are a playful pair, they love play fighting and playing chase with each other. Bonnie is the more inquisitive and bold of the two, while Mia is more content to lay on your lap and be picked up for cuddles. They were born early June.". Watch Bonnie & Mia on our YouTube channel. Florence is a friendly beautiful girl. Her fosterer says "Florence is a sweet cat who loves human company. She adores strokes and attention, and she'll give you head rubs in happiness. She is a bit timid at first in new surroundings, so is best suited to a home without very young children. Watch Florence on our YouTube channel. Fluffy is a cuddly affectionate boy. His fosterer says "Fluffy is a very pretty boy, he's such a friendly cat and really enjoys strokes (as you can see in the video)! He's very cuddly and loves human company. Watch Fluffy on our YouTube channel. Jacob is an affectionate handsome tabby cat. His fosterer says "Jacob is a very friendly boy, who loves attention and strokes. He is also playful and inquisitive. Watch Jacob on our YouTube channel. Beau is a friendly affectionate cat. His fosterer says "Beau is a lovely handsome boy who likes a lot of attention. He loves strokes and cuddles, and prefers to interact and play with his fosterer rather than his toys. Beau is a happy content lad." Elsie is a friendly sweet girl. Her fosterer says "Elsie is a lovely cat, she's laid-back, gentle, and cuddly. Her tail trembles with excitement and happiness when being stroked! Elsie also has a playful side, she enjoys chasing and playing with toys. She is a bit timid at first in new surroundings, so is best suited to a home without very young children. Watch Elsie on our YouTube channel. If you are interested in any of these delightful cats, please call Jenni on

10 Smokey s Story Whenever I ask for stories from people who have recently adopted one of our cats, its never ceases to touch me how much these animals are loved by their new owners. The story of Smokey is no exception. Harriet, Alice and Jamie have fallen in love with Smokey, and I think he is smitten too! What greater gift than the love of a cat? I have only come to understand what Dickens meant by these words since adopting Smokey, our 10-monthold kitten, as I have realised that, once earned, a cat s affection is deep and everlasting. This is something I had never understood until welcoming Smokey into our home, and watching him play with us as though he had known us all his life. I have also since discovered the complexity of a cat s personality, which I believe is something unique to them, seen less in other domestic animals. Smokey seems to have adopted almost human-like qualities, for instance almost talking to us as he greets us with a soft meow when he sees us for the first time in the morning, and liking nothing more than being carried over your shoulder so that he can understand the world from a high vantage point on the same level as his owners. He also seems to have adopted some canine qualities, as he enjoys almost puppy-like games in the garden, with his own version of fetch and hide and seek. He also loves lounging, panther-like, in a flower pot with his paws flopped over the edge, probably as he was born in a flower pot before being fostered and then being adopted by us! Smokey seems to have been the perfect kitten for us, as two different relatives in our family from previous generations owned black cats of the same name, so ours will be continuing the Smokey dynasty. Like them, we will never forget his amber eyes and sleek black coat, but most of all his warm and loving nature. Alice

11 And the winner is...tilly! Well done Pat in Orpington who won her cat Tilly a selection of Dreamies for being the first correct entry picked out the hat for our Wordsearch competition in the Spring Newsletter. Tilly was rehomed with Pat by Cats Protection some 7 years ago now and she is much loved by all the family. Tilly enjoys nothing more than keeping a vigil of the back garden from the top of the armchair and performing roly-polys on the patio in the hot sun. Tilly s early life was not that easy hence her nickname Tilly Trotter (for those of you who know your Catherine Cookson). She has found her perfect home with Pat and will most certainly be enjoying the odd Dreamie or two for being such a good girl. And Finally Many thanks to Carol T for sending me feline articles from around the globe. This issue I have picked the story of Catsby, a former rescue cat, who gets to spend his golden years in a book shop. It just goes to show that all cats are worthy of being given a chance. Once upon a time, a 9-year-old ginger cat was constantly overlooked at a rescue centre because of his unfriendly nature with people and other cats. He was FIV+ and needed considerable eye surgery to correct inward rolling eyelids. A condition which left him in constant pain. No wonder he was grumpy! One day a kind woman took a chance on him and let him live out his retirement at her bookshop. Once Catsby moved into his new home, had eye surgery, his demeanour changed drastically and he became a different cat. He loves people. I don t even think an hour goes by where he s not with somebody, said his new owner. People come in to see him all day, every day. He loves it. Despite now being 14 years old, Catsby thrives and blossoms under the attention from the customers. Some senior visitors, who can no longer have cats, consider Catsby to be their part-time pet and the smart ginger boy recognizes their voices and remembers them by their scent.. He gives back to people every day and you can sense he is incredibly grateful. He has gone from being a cantankerous moggie to a social butterfly.

12 The many ways you can help There are many ways you can support our work if you are unable to be a fosterer or offer a cat a new home. Without you, we simply wouldn't be able to continue with our valuable work. Donations All donations, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to the lives of the unwanted cats and kittens in our care. You can send us a cheque made payable to Bromley Cats Protection and send it to PO Box 1124, Bromley, BR1 9TU. If you wish to set up a regular standing order to our bank account, pay your membership, or make a donation by direct bank transfer, please call our Treasurer on who will give you details on how to do this. If you are eligible for Gift Aid, please let us know when you send the cheque, or speak with our treasurer, as this is a very valuable source of income for us. Membership Renew your membership or become a new member for just 10 a year. See our attached membership form. You will then receive all our future Newsletters. Receive our Newsletters by This will save us envelope and postage costs, which is as good as a donation. Please indicate if you would like to do this on the enclosed membership/donation form, or call Eve on , or eve9nq@yahoo.co.uk Donate items We always need good quality items for our sales: Raffle Prizes Barbara Tombola Prizes Margaret Jewellery Beryl Good Bric-a-Brac Tracy Sell on ebay Donate % of your sale when you sell on ebay. ebay will also credit a portion of your basic selling fee back to you, according to the level of your donation. Go to the ebay for Charity option on the Advanced Tool listing form, and select Bromley Cats Protection. You can also boost donations by 25% by making a Gift Aid declaration in your settings. Donate through your payroll Charities Trust is a payroll giving agency which is tax efficient. Visit for more information Reference: CT62786 Cats Protection Bromley. Charity number Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Spread the word about our work to help recruit new fosterers and showcase our cats needing new homes.

13 PLEASE HELP NEEDY CATS IN BROMLEY CHARITY No (ENGLAND & WALES) SCO37711 (SCOTLAND) By making a donation or becoming a member of your local branch of Cats Protection We are the only Cats Protection branch in the immediate area and we need to raise in excess of 25,000 each year to carry out our vital work. We rely entirely on donations and our own fundraising efforts. Our objectives are: - To relieve the suffering of cats and kittens To encourage the public to take better care of their cats and kittens To rehome stray and unwanted cats and kittens To encourage and assist with the cost of neutering thus reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens. I would like to renew my membership / become a new member of the Bromley Branch of Cats Protection at a cost of per annum. I would like to make a one off donation. Please tick below if we may claim Gift Aid*. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your gift to us by allowing us to reclaim the tax you have already paid at no extra cost to you. Yes, I want this donation and any donation made in the future to be Gift Aided until I notify you otherwise. Name Address.. Date.. T elephone I would like to receive my Newsletters by at the address be low: e mail. Please make cheques payable to Bromley Cats Protection and send this form and the cheque to: The Membership Secretary Bromley Cats Protection 66 Jevington Way Lee London SE12 9NQ Website: Helpline: *to qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax and/ or capital gains tax for each tax year must equal at least the amount of tax that all charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that you donate to will re claim on your gifts for th at tax year. Other taxes you pay such as VAT and Council Tax do not count. Please tick if you would like a receipt.

14 How can I help? Please tick the box for further details: Foster a cat or kittens All you need is a spare room and a big heart! Offer help with transport We sometimes need help with taking cats to the vets. Donate good quality goods We always need items to sell at our sales. Please indicate the type/quantity of goods being offered Make a gift in your will We can send you a booklet detailing how. Become a volunteer We have many different roles which can be tailored to suit your lifestyle. Reg Charity (England and Wales) and SC (Scotland)