Catwel Newsletter 39 Christmas 2016

Catwel Cardiff registered Charity no 1086255 - Newsletter 39 Christmas 2016

Catwel is a Cardiff based Registered Charity, dedicated to the care and welfare of cats and kittens – 83 Rhydypennau Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff CF23 6PZ, 02920753475

It's almost 30 years since I became involved in cat rescue work. As there had never been a group in Cardiff specifically dealing with cat rescue prior to this, it has been very hard. However, I must say that it is no better now, or even worse than it was all those years ago.

What can the reason be? For years we have been neutering all stray cats we hear of, every cat/kitten we home are automatically neutered and micro-chipped. National rescue groups provide vouchers and low cost schemes for neutering, so why have the numbers of stray/abandoned cats increased??

Sadly I think that people are 'purchasing' kittens from online websites. Sellers are offering kittens for sale with appealing images which cause a lot of impulse acquiring of kittens. They get their cash, no guarantees, no vet checks and no option to return the kitten if things don't work out, and of course no neutering. 

Often the have a go breeders expect bona fide rescue groups to take in the kittens that they haven't been able to sell and often we have calls from people who have purchased these kittens as they ultimately find that they are unable to keep them. It is all very frustrating.

Over the 2015/16 Christmas/New year period Catwel had over 60 cats and kittens in our care! Historically when we originally opened our sanctuary 10 years ago this was a quieter period and kittens were scarce. It is all very worrying

Where does the time go?

Five years ago Catwel (Cardiff) signed a lease for the rental of a shop premises at Whitchurch Road Cardiff.

This was a completely new venture for the Charity. Our main source of income prior to 2011 had been via donations, sponsoring our long term cats, three fairs and two auctions per annum. 

These fundraising events were thoroughly enjoyed by the Catwel team running the events, and the Customers who supported them. Often people speak longingly of the demise of the fairs and auction sales. However, nobody, least of all me, anticipated the tremendous success that the shop has become.

I'm of course not saying that the shop is not hard work - it certainly is. We have a wonderful team of volunteers who help keep it going. It is not an easy job though, there is often no spare time to have a chat and a rest to have a cup of tea is an absolute luxury. The reason for this is the tremendous support which we receive from the general public who never seem to tire of bringing donations either direct to the shop, left at the Cardiff Cat Clinic, or outside my home. We have now renewed our lease for a further five years, so it is to be hoped that the high levels of support will continue and new volunteers will continue to appear and help with the workload.

International Fame

As most of you know, our website (along with many other duties) is run by Simon. 

His skills include photographing our window displays and often showing the goods for sale on our shelves inside the shop.

We recently had a Blue Owl money box on one of our shelves in the shop. This was viewed by a Canadian friend of Teresa's who lives in Toronto.

Much to Teresa's surprise she received a message from this lady asking her to purchase the owl and send it to her in Canada, as she loves Owls!!

This modern technology never ceases to amaze me.Needless to say, her wishes have been complied with.

A Happy Ending (July 2016)

During a visit, one of our supporters mentioned that friends of his were feeding a rather timid white odd-eye cat.  As they had already adopted a stray, her friends were not anxious to acquire another cat.

I made a note of the details ready to pass on to Simon later in the day.

However, during the afternoon I visited the shop and noticed a note in our shop book that a gentleman had called to ask for help to find his cat - a white odd-eye!!

When I returned home, I looked up the road where the cat had been found, and then from where he came. The two roads were next to each other!!

I telephoned the finder - no answer. Phoned the owner - no answer, so I left the appropriate messages.An hour later, a message was left on my phone. The cat had been re-united with its owner.It seems the family who found the cat had advertised it and the owner had responded. The cat was micro-chipped, so if we had become "hands-on" involved, the first action we would have taken was to scan for a micro-chip and returned the cat to it's owner. It just shows that if people really love their cats they will look for them, and if those who find strays make the effort to advertise the cat and take to vets to check for a microchip, the owners can be found and a happy ending can occur.

We at Catwel would like to give a special thanks to:-

Gareth Peterson who ran the Cardiff Half Marathon for us and raised an amazing £293.75.

Zoe Preece and her special cat called Smudge for again organising www.facebook.com/Smudges-Charity-Pet-Show The show is still open so get your amazing pet pictures to her. There are some amazing prizes to be won. This is Smudges 5^th show and the money raised is all donated to us.

We also have specially made Christmas cards for Catwel donated from Kath Williams,Claire Valentine and Karen Jenkins

Gareth and Lucy from TOPTOYS2U  they have donated so many fantastic brand new toys to us for our shop to sell and helped and supported in so many ways this year with repairing the fence, painting and cleaning the decking at the re homing centre and so much more.

The pupils of Llanishen High School who raised a sum of £200 which they donated to us to help with our work.

To all for the Birthday wishes that were sent to Margaret Harris via our Catwel Face book page. There were over 80 well wishers. Margaret was touched by the lovely comments left by you all and she enjoyed reading them so much. 

Pets At Home/Support Adoption For Pets for donating a pallet of fabulous cat toys, beds, scratch posts etc

Zooplus for three full pallets of returned stock containing beds, litter trays, food, litter, scratch posts etc

 Tesco for supplying Catwel with an enormous amount of cat litter and food

 Pampurred pets for donating food and scratch posts

 Food collections for Catwel Cardiff are made at the following stores:

Morrisons,Tesco,Pets At Home,Sainsburys

Please note The Catwel Cardiff Charity Shop will be open on Sunday 4^th,11^th and the 18^th in December prior to Christmas from 11am - 3pm........ - still time to get your fantastic new toys and games in time for Christmas!!!

Happy ending for Harvey

We were asked to find a new home for a unneutered stray that had been visiting a family in Llanishen for 3 months. The lady (Julia) said that due to her having two of her own cats she couldn't keep him. Catwel explained that to be sure he wasn't owned we would have to advertise him on our website with a photo which we did. Sadly after 4 weeks no one came forward to claim him. Arrangements were made to get him neutered and micro chipped at The Cardiff Cat Clinic and then we would place him on our waiting list to find him a new home. Well this boy didn't take long to get his new home. After Julia took him to the vets the family fell in love with him. Harvey as he is now called has settled in with his girl friends albeit an occasional hiss they are getting on so well. Julia says” Harvey is a huge cat” and “we have some presents for him for Christmas”. Not so sure he is liking his hat though.

Happy Homing for Bobby

Poor shy Bobby came into Catwel from another rescue with three others (there are still another 14 that they need help with). We placed an appeal on the website for a quiet home with no children. Jan and Pen came forward for him. Bobby has settled with them so well and Catwel have enjoyed the regular update and pictures. We are so grateful that this lovely boy has his new home.

Can't have a cat?.....sponsor one instead?

Fabulous gift for a cat loving friend or relative.  We have a number of long term cats with mobility, behavioural and medical problems that live with Catwel. Please contact us for more information http://catwel-cardiff.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/sponsor-cat.html or https://www.facebook.com/Catwel-Cardiff-Cat-Charity-564200753613962/ or email us at catwelcardiff@hotmail.co.uk

Cats needing homes

We have many cats looking for new permanent loving homes – Here are just a few.

Harvey – Gorgeous semi-longhaired tabby male, approximately 6-8 months old. He has been neutered and micro chipped. He really is a very sweet natured little boy who loves fuss and cuddles. He gets on very well with other cats.

Monty – This handsome young man doesn't like children but has never shown any aggression towards us whatsoever. He loves his fuss, company and food! He has been neutered micro chipped and is fully vaccinated and is 2 years 10 months old.

Special Appeal for Cats needing homes

We have many 'timid' cats hoping to find a sympathetic home.  These little cats were rescued from various locations in the city and if it weren't for kind supporters making us aware of these little cats they would have ended up leading feral lives.  We have taken them in and provided for them, many have never been in a home environment so would require an experienced owner who would be prepared to offer them the love and patience they deserve. 

Kimi – taken in from Splott Market where there is a big feral cat problem. Catwel have been helping with spaying and neutering the adult cats and taking and taming the kittens. Kimi is a lovely little girl who loves other cats but will need a patient, understanding new owner to give her the time she needs and allow her to bond. She has been spayed and micro chipped and is approximately 18 months old.

Molly - born in a garden in the city. Molly was one of 6 kittens. Her sibling all have been successfully re homed but Molly was always the shyest little one. She loves other cats and would be a loving companion but would need time and patience to gain trust in her new owner. Molly has also been spayed and micro chipped. She is 18 months old.

 Jaffa - was born under decking in a garden in the city and had not been handled prior to coming into care. Jaffa came into our care with his mum and 3 other siblings. Due to him being the most timid he has been overlooked and all his family members have gone to their new homes. He loves other cats and currently sharing his pen with 2 friends to prevent him being lonely. He is neutered and micro chipped and is 12 months old

Tiger & Bob - these little boys are now 18 months old and have spent their lives with Catwel having been taken in as semi-feral kittens. Tiger (on the left) is a sweet natured little boy who loves other cats and loves his food! Bob I a little more timid. We understand that he was attacked by a fox as a kitten and as a result has no tail as it was bitten off when he tried to run away. These little brothers have both been neutered and micro chipped and we feel would be ideal indoor cats.

Scouty and Cilla - gorgeous sisters taken in as feral kittens from a totally feral mum. One of their sisters has been successfully been homed “Scout” is currently living with another little female Catwel Cat called Tess. Joley and Brian say that Scout is the sweetest natured little cat. She just needed love and time as do her sisters. These lovely little girls are 18 months old and are spayed and micro chipped.

Charlie – This boisterous young lad doesn't like other cats or children. Charlie does love company but Human company! He can be a bit of a handful at first but with patience and experienced owner can soon become his best friend. He loves to be outside and has been neutered micro chipped and is fully vaccinated. We think Charlie is approximately 5 years old.

Please contact us if you can offer any of these permanent home. A home check will be required.

Well, it's almost that time of year, and I am once again taking this opportunity to wish all our supporters a Happy Christmas and healthful New Year.

I think after all these years, you all know that I send very few Christmas cards, the newsletter has to serve that purpose.

So, I am taking this opportunity to thank everyone for the unstinting support which Catwel has received over many years.

If anyone feels that they can spare a few hours a week to help in the shop, I will be pleased to hear from you.

Best wishes to everyone of our supporters and readers and many thanks to all the helpers in the Catwel team who devote their time selflessly to help in many roles which ultimately enable the Charity to care for the many needy cats and kittens in our care.

Sincerely,

Margaret