TORBAY & DISTRICT BRANCH 2015 NEWSLETTER What a busy year it has been for all the volunteers who give their time to Torquay and District Cats Protection. More than twenty cats have been rehomed so far this year, but that success was only possible courtesy of a varied support network. Cats in need had to be retrieved, installed in pens, chipped and checked. Food and medical supplies had to be ordered and distributed, accounts kept straight. New homes had to be found via the website, social media and other publicity, potential adopters visited. Then there s our neutering campaign as well as liaising with HQ and other animal welfare groups. And finally the fund raising, without which none of this could have happened. THE SEASON S GREETINGS and many thanks to all our supporters
Life as a Rehoming Officer CONTACTS Torquay & District Cats Protection PO Box 309, Paignton Devon TQ3 3ZS Telephone: 0345 647 2181 Website: http://torquay.cats.org.uk Cats Protection Registered Charity 203644 I ve been rehoming cats for the Branch since 2002, liaising with our volunteers about when cats are coming in and what s known of their history. If there isn t a suitable person on the waiting list, we advertise the cat as soon as possible. Calls from potential adopters are followed up by a visit to assess whether the home is suitable, following criteria laid down by HQ. Once accepted, adopters meet the cat and, if this is successful, adoption goes ahead. A few weeks later we check that both cat and family are happy. My task can be demanding (especially when we ve several litters of kittens to be homed), but it s very rewarding and I m looking forward to homing lots more cats in the future. Sandra Martin, Rehoming Officer We re pleased to be able at last to produce a newsletter once again, and hope to continue publication on an ongoing, regular basis. Meanwhile, may I wish readers a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Ian Doggett, Acting Chair Torquay & District Cats Protection Group.
Becoming a Fosterer We became fosterers at the end of 2014, having had a pen installed in the garden (pictured below right). It s been a rewarding 12 months, in which we ve cared for five cats aged between 15 years and six months, each with its own personality. Length of stay varied between one and four months. During that time, they had vet visits for checks and vaccinations, some were neutered or treated for minor problems. All were a delight to help and all found loving homes. Brenda Greysmith & Andy Collins CAN YOU HELP US? We are currently looking for the following volunteers: Co-ordinator - Trapper - Fund-Raisers - Fosterers Dart Vale Veterinary Group Station Road, Totnes, TQ9 5JR 01803 862 142 31 Manor Road, Paignton, TQ3 2HZ 01803 550 491 13/15 Penn Meadows, Brixham, TQ5 6PW 01803 854 051 The Old Mews, Roseville St, Dartmouth, TQ6 9QH 01803 832 422 19 West St, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7DT 01364 652 376 Our thanks to all the vets staff for their help throughout the year
REHOMED THIS YEAR Lilly was abandoned when her owner moved away. A kind lady took her in but could not keep her because of a relationship breakup. Rehomed January. Boo also came into CP because of a relationship breakup. Rehomed January. Pancake was a stray kitten just six months old. Rehomed January. Ollie and Mia came to CP because their owner was moving and couldn t take the cats. Rehomed together February. Tiggy was an elderly cat whose owner became too ill to care for her. Rehomed April. Buffy s owner wanted to have him put down but the vet refused to do it and contacted CP. Rehomed June. Jessie, Hobo, Winnie and Wilbur were timid cats from a rural home. Their owner could no longer care for them. Rehomed April, June & July. Lloyd and Lenny were 18-month old brothers whose owner could no longer care for them. Rehomed July. Drake was homed by Torbay CP in 2007 but found astray in Kingsbridge. His owner could not be traced. Rehomed August. Buddy came to CP with his mother cat who was pregnant again. Rehomed August. Minstrel and Lily II were born while their stray mother cat was in the care of CP. Rehomed August & September. Josie was a six-month-old kitten found astray in Brixham. Although in poor condition she quickly recovered. Rehomed October.
TWO SPECIAL CASES It has been a challenging year in rehoming the more senior cats in our care. Two, in particular, had a difficult time. MINNIE A sweet and loving 13-year-old white cat, Minnie came to CP as her owner could no longer care for her. She was rehomed with a Torquay couple but sadly this adoption wasn t successful and she came back into our care. After four months, she was successfully rehomed with an elderly gentleman who lives in a rural setting. Within a week Minnie had settled in really well, venturing into the garden for a few daily visits and finding the bed to sleep on at night. Her owner now has such a bond with Minnie that he feels as if he s had her since she was a kitten. MURPHY A beautiful ginger male cat with stunning green eyes, Murphy also came to CP as his owner could no longer care for him. He was found a home in February but, before being adopted, we discovered that he had an overactive thyroid. It was agreed that Murphy should have his thyroid removed but then he showed symptoms of kidney trouble, so the operation could not proceed. After months of tests, Murphy was able to have the thyroid removed and, once recovered, he was adopted by the family who d been patiently waiting for him since February. They had been steadfast in their wish to adopt him and kept in touch for progress reports. Murphy was adopted in October, has settled into his new home and enjoys lap cuddles from all the family. Sandra Martin
SOME OF THE CATS IN NEED OF LOVING HOMES Pearl was a pregnant stray who gave birth to four kittens while in the care of Torbay CP. She s about a year old and a very loving little lady. Lola and Sparkey are two of Pearl s kittens. Mouse was diagnosed as diabetic and is being treated by CP. Midnight was a stray who has taken a while to adjust back to being a pet but is now ready for a new home. Bayview Veterinary Group 96 Warbro Road, Babbacombe, TQ1 3RE. 01803 314 940 59 Sherwell Valley Road, Chelston, TQ2 6EL. 01803 605 675 Hospital Hill, Dawlish, EX7 9NS. 01626 862 020 Maudlin Drive, Teignmouth, TQ14 8RU. 01626 778 882 Special thanks for their help with the CP Neutering Campaign
Help With the Cost of Neutering Your Cat The Torquay & District Branch of the Cats Protection provides financial assistance to help with the cost of cat neutering. The scheme is available to anyone in receipt of means-tested benefits living in the Torbay area. People eligible for the scheme can get their cat(s) neutered in return for a donation. If you know of someone who could benefit from this scheme, please ask them to call our Neutering Officer on telephone number 07770 523296 or visit www.torquay.cats.org.uk. EVENTS IN 2016 Please check local press, our next newsletter or our website for next year s events. ----------------------- BRIC-A-BRAC WANTED We re always looking for interesting items for our fundraising stalls. Are you a keen baker or knitter? Do you have any knick-knacks that need a new shelf to call home? Raising Funds Robin, our Fund-Raising Officer, is always keen to recruit more volunteer help. If you like exchanging banter with the public, come and help us with collections. It can be very enjoyable! New ideas welcome. Ring Robin on 01626 821 498. Fund-Raising Events 2015 24 th January. Homing Show, Scala Hall, Brixham 27 th, 28 th February & 1 st March. Collections, Pets at Home, Torquay 21 st March. Collection, Marks & Spencer, The Willows, Torquay 9 th April. Collection, Sainsburys, The Willows, Torquay 10 th April. Donation from Torbay Mayor s Fund 17 th June. Babbacombe Fayre 4 th July. Collection, Sainsburys, Brixham Road, Paignton 18 th July. Collection, Trago Mills 31 st July. Donation from Waitrose, Plainmoor, Torquay 5 th August. Cockington Fayre 24 th October. Homing Show, Scala Hall, Brixham 19 th November. Stall, Lincombe Manor