Greetings from Russia!
Stanislav Stepkin, President of the World Felinological Federation, sent OUR CATS readers New Year Greetings and I pass these onto you!
“Heartily, I congratulate you and wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New 2005.” Stanislav heads the new international felinological organization, the World Felinological Federation (WFF). The WFF was created in March last year. For more information about WFF, see http://www.wff-portal.org
Portly pets shed pounds
OUR CATS’ chief reporter, Nick Mays, sent me the following story about two winning slimmers…
An overweight cat who was so large he could not even fit through his cat flap, was named joint winner of Pet Slimmer of the Year last week, as one of the top Pet Slimmers of the Year.
The other winner was a three-year-old Collie-Labrador cross who once weighed in at a gigantic 55kgs (8st 9lbs), but then lost 40% of his bodyweight in the space of 24 weeks. He slimmed down to a much more manageable 33kgs (5st 3lbs).
Mischief, a black and white cat from Stevenage, Herts, lost 38% of his bodyweight over 40 weeks and was handed his title at a ceremony in central London. His owner, Sharon Harding, 35, said she did not realise how unhealthy the six-year-old had been until she took him to see a vet who was horrified at his size. Sharon, who lives with retired parents Richard and Beryl and four other cats said: “He was the only fat one. The other ones were normal. He must have been eating all the food.”
Mischief is now a slim line 6.3kgs (just under a stone), posed for photographs, beside a pile of butter representing the five kilograms (11lbs) he had lost. Sharon said: “Mischief couldn’t fit through the cat flap, he couldn’t jump onto the bed or even wash himself. We now have a tree-climbing cat. I couldn’t be happier or prouder. He still borders on the lazy, but now he moves more than he did.”
TV presenter, Julian Bennett, presented the awards. Hill’s Pet Nutrition sponsored the award, now in its 12th year. The winners were given a year’s supply of pet food, £500 worth of pet accessories and £2,000 in holiday vouchers.
Simba does it again!
Vets at Leicester PDSA PetAid hospital have come to the rescue of a local cat for a second time following a serious road traffic accident. The following is an extract from their recent press release about Simba - one of an average of 90 sick and injured pets seen by Leicester PDSA PetAid hospital everyday:
In 1998, Simba, then a mischievous one-year-old, used the first of his nine lives following an encounter with a car. Despite severe injuries he made a full recovery. Then, just a few week’s ago, he was back at the PDSA PetAid hospital again following a similar accident. PDSA Veterinary Surgeon, Imogen Mitchell comments, “obviously we see many traffic accident cases every week, but quite a few members of staff recalled seeing Simba the first time around, largely because of the severity of his injuries.
We couldn’t believe he was back again after yet another road accident. He had extensive damage to the skin on his hind legs, so a section of skin was taken from his chest and grafted onto this area. We kept Simba in for five days to make sure the graft was healing well, and he required daily dressing changes to stop infection setting in. Thankfully, Simba has once again gone on to make a full recovery. We just hope he’s learnt his lesson and will stay away from cars in the future!”
Simba’s owner, Kay Barrows, said: “I couldn’t believe it when Simba showed up at home injured again. He’s really lucky that PDSA have been there for him both times - without them, he wouldn’t be here today.”
Cat lovers party raises cash
OUR CATS reader, Kym Jarvis, sent the photo (below) with the following: “Like so many recent social events, Helen and John Power’s New Year’s Eve party was overshadowed by the tsunami disaster which none of us can ignore or ever forget.
However, by taking advantage of the good nature of their guests, Helen and John asked us all to bring something to be sold at an informal auction at their party to raise money for the disaster appeal. That auction was a resounding success and raised £300 that included the proceeds of a raffle.
Guests were bidding uninhibitedly, paying for example £2 for a roll of toilet paper and £30 for the privilege of stewarding for Helen at a cat show!” The photo, taken by Ian Jarvis, shows the party guests who wish everyone in the Fancy happiness and success this year, and the people in Asia an early recovery from their awful misfortune.
Tsunami - more help
The UK-based animal welfare charity, the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad, (SPANA) has an ongoing project in the tsunami-affected Tamilnadu region of Southern India. Contact WSPA at 89 Albert Embankment, London,SE1 7TP, Tel 020 7587 5000, E-mail: wspa@wspa.org.uk www.wspa.org.uk.
In addition, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, (WSPA), are working with local animal groups in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand to help protect abandoned livestock and companion animals, by supporting efforts to provide food and veterinary treatment for sick and injured animals, and establish temporary shelters. Contact SPANA at 14 John Street, London. WC1N 2EB or donate online at www.spana.org.
Are you about to open a cat-related business?
If so, the makers of Life Begins, a new TV series for Channel 4 would like to hear from you. Twofour Productions are looking for people over forty planning to use their retirement, redundancy or simply their own self-determination to realise their long-cherished dreams.
Twofour explain that, “Life Begins is not a show about making money, it’s a series about finding happiness, and our cameras will document your journey towards an exciting new life. You might be opening a cattery, or you could be setting up a refuge centre for lost cats …whatever you’re doing, big or small, we’d like to hear from you”. Contact the Life Begins team on 01752 333900 or e-mail lifebegins@twofour.co.uk. www.twofour.co.uk
Colourpoint BSH CC report
The recently published report on this show included a report from Jan Bradley. Jan’s report was headed with her husband’s name (Andy), in error - apologies to the Bradley’s and the exhibitors concerned.
Cheshire Area Cat Club
Mrs Doreen Nall’s report on the Cheshire Area Cat club show included a critique on Mrs O’Malley’s Dory. This cat was absent on the day. Mrs Nall sends her apologies to all concerned.
Photographs & Breed Features
Where are your photographs and suggestions for Breed Features? Please see my Editorial News in the previous issue of OUR CATS - this is YOUR journal - please send your contributions! My aim for 2005 is to make OUR CATS an even better publication for you, our readers - and to do this, I need your input - so do get in touch soon!
