Catwel Cardiff registered Charity no 1086255 - Newsletter 42 - 2018
Hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. It has been another extremely busy kitten season for us again.
Catwel operate a non-euthanasia policy and will NEVER allow a 'healthy' cat to be put to sleep just because it doesn't have a home or a carer willing to provide medication.
As a result we have a number of 'Sponsor Cats' that are happily living out their lives with Catwel and are Sponsored by our extremely kind supporters for a small monthly donation. In return their Aunties and Uncle Sponsors receive bi-annual updates and Christmas and Valentines cards from the cats!
In the pictures attached you can see our oldest Sponsor Cat 'Teddy' and our newest 'Jessie'.
Poor little Jessie was born while in Catwel care. He had very badly infected eyes from birth and we had to unfortunately open his eyes way before he was ready for us too in order to clear away the infection. He needed his eyes cleaned three times daily, along with eye cream and later antibiotics, so in his early days had a lot of attention that he didn't necessarily find enjoyable! As a result Jessie doesn't like being picked up (we think he is worried that we are going to put cream in his eyes again!). Poor little boy has had two homes in his short life, he has been returned to Catwel from both of them as he was not a cwtchy, cuddly boy and doesn't like being picked up. He is the type of cat that comes to you for fuss. As you can see, he adores Teddy and has found his new feline friend and Sponsor Cat carer!
Teddy herself came to us as a feral cat and has been with us on our Sponsor Cat scheme for a number of years now. Her owners were very ill and unable to care for her any longer, so we have taken care of her and over the years she has become a very sweet natured cat.
Genghis
We were asked by a family in Brecon if we could help a farm feral that had been visiting them. He was in a bit of a state with matted fur and fleas etc. They knew about us as they had adopted two beautiful kittens a few months back. We came up with a plan of trapping him and getting him to The Cardiff Cat Clinic. Once he was there he was neutered, chipped and due to his fur being so bad he needed to be completely shaved. He was picked up and stayed with us until his fur had grown back sufficiently to be released. In this time he started to trust us and after 8 weeks we were sure his feral days were long behind him. The Ham family had always wanted him to return to his farm so this is what was arranged. He is now called Genghis Ham and the updates we have received are so pleasing to us. He has settled back in and doesn't hide under bushes and hedges any more and he is now a loved family member that will live with his two other furry friends.
Another feral tail
We were asked by our home visitor Ann if we could help a Farmer who had 18 farm cats. They are loved dearly but he knew the risks of interbreeding etc. We dispatched our equipment traps and carriers and between us we formulated a plan. Roy (the Farmer) set the trap every morning and over two weeks they were all caught, neutered, treated for fleas and worms and micro chipped and returned. The only real hiccup was there was so many cats that looked the same and in a dark barn and in a trap we did take a ginger male 3 times! Both Michael (The Cardiff Cat Clinic Owner) and we agreed that either this ginger boy enjoyed the car journey or just liked the anaesthetic or was just a little mentally challenged. We visit the farm regularly now and they all look so happy and content living their life on a farm. A natural solution to rodent control.
Smudge & Zoe
Earlier this year Catwel asked Zoe Preece would she like to become a Trustee. Zoe was so delighted and duly accepted. Zoe and her gorgeous cat Smudge have been organising pet shows, making lovely items and many more competitions in a way of raising money for us on facebook. So far this year they have raised £1376.87. Catwel welcome you Zoe and are happy to have you on-board. Please take a look at Smudges facebook page. Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/kingsmudgeonlineshow/
Toptoys2u
As you all will be aware the weather in the last few months has been incredible. The heat was almost unbearable. The re-homing centre placed a call to Toptoys2u to see if they could lend us an air conditioning unit. For those who volunteer in The Catwel Cardiff Charity Shop will know just how generous this brilliant local company have been to us. They have been constantly donating brand new toys, puzzles,watches and so much more to us for the shop to sell. Well again they stepped in and actually donated a air conditioning unit to us. Words really can't express our gratitude to them. Catwel thank them very much. Here is their facebook shop link https://www.facebook.com/toptoys2u/
The Catwel Cardiff Charity Shop
We always like to thank our volunteers that work so hard in the shop. You know who you all are. Catwel are truly grateful. It takes a minimum of 3 people every day to keep the shop staffed. Of late we have had a staff shortage on a Monday so sadly the decision was made to close. We are sad about this but we have no alternative at this present time. We ask again do you feel you can spare a few hours in the week to help out? If you can and would like to work with a vibrant dedicated team then give the shop a call on 02920694019. Catwel needs you!!!!
Thank you
Catwel want to say a big thank you to Teresa and Alistair Pattillo for raising £350 for us from the sale of refreshments and cakes when they opened up their lovely garden for charity. We are extremely grateful
Catwel food donation bins
Catwel would also like to thank :
Tesco - Culverhouse Cross &Tesco - Pengam Green
Morrisons - Llanishen
Sainsbury's - Thornhill
We are very grateful to these Supermarkets and their wonderful customers for donating food every week for all the cats and kittens in our care.
Cats in our care needing loving permanent homes
Monty came into Catwel as a feral. He is lovely and loves his treats but keeps getting over looked as he will not let you pick him up. Not all cats do. He is such a handsome boy and he really needs an understanding home with no children. He likes other cats as he is in with his pen mate Mojo. Mojo also came in as a feral and again he doesn’t like to be picked up. He can be nervous to begin with but once he is used to you he likes attention. Mojo would benefit from a home with no children. These two boys are neutered and micro chipped and are ready to go. They will need patience and understanding. If you have both skill sets then get in touch. Please note a home check will be required. They don’t need to go together but we think it would be nice
Barley and her kitten
Vanish came into Catwel from a farm. They are a lovely Mum and her Son. They were being looked after by a very kind girl called Josephine. We have promised this little girl we will find them a fab new home. They are both neutered and micro chipped and ready to go. Please note a home check will be required.
Shonni
came into Catwel when his owner had a nasty fall at home. He had never been outside and was not neutered. He was constantly being picked on by the owners other cats. It has taken a while for this handsome boy to trust humans but now is absolutely stunning. He loves his fuss now and cuddles. Please note a home check will be required.
Norris or Norry as his owner called him was surrendered back to Catwel when his owner had a terrible fall at her home. She was rushed into hospital and to date is still there. This boy was homed by us some years ago. Norry was Hyperthyroid but we have paid for his thyroid to be removed so he go to new home not needing any medication. He is 14 years old but please don't let that put you off this lovely friendly boy. Please note a home check will be required.
Ken and Bluebell
These two feral cats Ken from Gabalfa and Bluebell from Splott Market came into Catwel individually. Bluebell had kittens which are all re homed. Ken was a stray. We put these two together and they absolutely adore each other. We have found them a new home where they will have so much space and they can stay together.
Bailey
We were asked if we could help with a cat in Merthyr who was struggling to eat and losing weight fast. He was a young cat and the owner could see that his mouth looked very sore and he was missing some teeth. We picked this lovely boy up and he was taken to the vets. He was suffering from stomititus the worst Michael (The Cardiff Cat Clinic) had seen. Bailey needed all but two teeth removed to stop the infection. There was no guarantee this would cure this terrible infection. But after 10 days we again picked him up for his check up and it was good news. Bailey had put on weight as he was now able to eat. The vets were very happy how his mouth is healing which is great news for this lovely boy.
The importance of neutering and Micro chipping
Some months back we were asked if we could help with a ginger cat that had been visiting a couples home in Thornhill. We advertised the cat on our facebook as found for a week and after no one came forward we stepped in to help. The trap was set and within a few days we had caught the cat. It was an un neutered male that was in a terrible state. We again re advertised him and two people came forward. One of the people had stated that their cat was micro chipped and neutered so this ruled this boy out as he was neither. The other owner had stated that her cat wasn't chipped or neutered. We asked for a picture of her missing cat and she supplied one. This was undoubtedly her missing boy. She had moved and this boy had escaped and had been missing for over 8 months. We agreed to meet at Valley Vets where we asked for him to be checked again for a chip and after he escaped the confines of his carrier whilst they were doing this he was recaptured with the help of a thick blanket. This boy had reverted back to feral as he had been away from home for so long. The owner met me there and were so delighted to be getting their cat back home. In fact Valley Vets was where this boy was registered so they booked him there and then for neutering. Lots of cat owners only see the importance of spaying females so do not agree with spaying or neutering at all. It is important for both as many charities are overwhelmed with unwanted cats and kittens as well as many other pets. This is a happy ending but this is not always the case. First picture hard life on the street- second picture in his home
Catwel would also like to thank
The late Dr Tovey for leaving us £1000 in his memory
Mrs Anita Coombes for giving us a cheque for £1000 in memory of her late brother Mr Alan Nelson
We send our heart felt condolences
Some sad news that we hope all pets owners will heed
This year we have had so many calls from people that have had family that have sadly passed away or have gone into care leaving their beloved pets. This is a huge problem as many never plan for this. They often leave family or friends scrabbling around trying to find a rescue or another family member to take their pet in. We know that sometimes this cant be avoided but we do feel that it would be better to try and plan ahead so there is always a back up for their much loved pet. We know with Catwel it is about cats but this affects all animals really. Would you like this decision made for you by a family member? If you don't please have this conversation today and make a provision for your pet and have it memorialised in a will etc.
Catwel thank all our dedicated supporters, volunteers,donators and of course everyone who has adopted a cat/kitten from us. Without your support we could not continue this amazing work. THANK YOU
