E-mails in the ‘ether’

Isn’t technology wonderful…when it works? There have been technical problems with my email at OUR CATS since 19 May. I ALWAYS reply to my e-mails to acknowledge receipt, so… if you have sent me an e-mail recently and not had a reply, please resend!

Putting up a fight

I was full of admiration for a brother and sister from Monterey Park whose news story appeared in the Pasadena Star Newspaper last month. Kelly Becerra, 24, and her brother Joshua, 16, recently scrapped with a Pit Bull Terrier that attacked a cat belonging to an elderly neighbour. The cat sadly died, despite these young people twice tackling the dog.

However, the Becerras were honoured by Monterey Park fire fighters for their rescue attempt. Not many people would have attempted to grapple with such a dog and the good news is that Monterey Park police Capt. Eric Kim said the owners of the dog have been cited for not having a license for the animal. The case is under investigation, and Kim said charges could be filed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney.


Not emigrating

Perri Hutchinson (GCCF Judge, Burmese & Orientals) says that “There seems to be a rumour being spread around the cat shows that I am emigrating to Kenya in the immediate future. As much as this would be delightful, no such plans have yet been made and certainly not for a few years - unless I should win the lottery! I will still be taking my holidays there for a well-earned rest and to get my hair done! Would Show Managers therefore please note, that I AM STILL AVAILABLE for judging. I can be contacted via e-mail on irrepburmese@yahoo.co.uk, home 0208 317 4173 (please leave a message and I will always return your call) or mobile 07985 400655.

OUR CATS on the road

Dave Sharples will be at the Merseyside Cat Club Show on Saturday, 4 June with the OUR CATS stand, stocked with books, stationery and of course, OUR CATS issues. A good opportunity to renew your subscriptions.

Unusual cat found

The Devon branch of Cats Protection have asked OUR CATS if we can help re-unite the above cat with her owner. Nicknamed ‘Teasle’ she is certainly an unusual variety; she has silver tabby markings on her head and front paws, a brown tabby tail and her body is what I can best describe as mixture of ‘fauny-brown’ and white! The CP branch’s vet thinks she is about nine years old, she is a small cat and was very emaciated and weak, when found. If you can help in any way, please call Elaine Mead 01297 21610.

Mattress saves cat

A very lucky cat in Brazil, Indiana, survived a fire and explosion that destroyed its owners’ home and injured half a dozen volunteer fire fighters from Clay County last month. Ken and Tina Michael’s rural Brazil home, about 15 miles east of Terre Haute, exploded from a back draft during an electrical fire. Two off-duty fire fighters found the cat while checking the remnants of Ken Michael’s house on behalf of his insurance company. “They found it up inside the box springs,” Ken said. “We took him off to the vet and found out he was unharmed.”

*Pet Care Trust welcomes draft Scottish AWB

The Pet Care Trust welcomes today’s timely publication of the consultation document for the draft Scottish Animal Welfare Bill, on the eve of the Queen’s Speech at Westminster. As well as introducing a general duty of care, the Trust urges the Scottish Parliament to embrace modernisation of enforcement.

“Pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries applying for a licence currently have a postcode lottery of rules and regulations,” said Janet Nunn, Chief Executive of the Pet Care Trust. “With local authorities determining the cost and reporting procedure of licence inspections, a pet shop can end up paying several times the fee of its local competitors, simply because it falls under a different local authority.”

The Trust will be examining the full plans in detail, and consult its members before submitting a formal response by the 4 July deadline. However the Trust supports the general aims of the Bill and will work hard to inform policy over coming months.

“We are keen to be closely involved with the consultation process, particularly given our many active members in Scotland,” said Ms Nunn. “We suggest the Scottish Executive refresh the membership of the Scottish Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Group, whose work has up until now been dominated by farming issues. With the companion animal sector now accounting for 55% of the national turnover in veterinary medicines, it is right and proper that government pays attention to pet owners and the pet care trade.”

*This issue of OUR CATS carries more about the above item, please see the News pages.

Great day for Ocicats

This weekend Ocicats will be shown with Championship Status for the first time, at the Merseyside and Somerset Shows. The Officers and Committee of The Ocicat Club wish all exhibitors a happy and successful day. The Club will be awarding Specials for the First ever Challenge and Premier Certificates, and souvenir Specials to all Ocicats being shown by members. This is a great day for UK Ocicats after 16 years seeking full recognition by the GCCF.

Royal Canin competitions

Please note that as from now, LATE ENTRY forms will NOT BE ACEPTED. Points MUST reach OUR CATS by 15th of the month following your claim. The May entry forms (for points gained at cat shows during the month of May) must reach us by 15 June.
Thank you and good luck!

Corrections Corner

The Balinese & Siamese CC Show - In the last issue of OUR CATS, the text for the forthcoming Balinese & Siamese CC Show should have read, 3rd SANCTION show, and not Exemption, as stated. The club are of course, hoping for Championship status next year.

Sonnywood Sherry Trifle is a RAGDOLL and not a Maine Coon! See OUR CATS, page 31, 20 May. So sorry Paula! Hope you liked the photograph and forgive our error!

In Mrs Joyce Worth’s report on the Surrey & Sussex show (Our Cats, 20 May) the AOV Semi-Longhair Reserve Grand Premier was Stacey & Delloydes’s Pr Cheham Cantona MN (28.02.98) and not as stated.

Mr Goodyer’s Soostee White Knight is a Snow Spotted Bengal and not a Snow Marbled, as captioned, OUR CATS, page 32, 20 May.