Newsletter - June 2008
Welcome to the June Newsletter from Sunny Harbour Cat & Kitten Rescue. If you are having difficulty viewing our Newsletter then you can also view it online by clicking here.
We have had an exceptionally busy month with phones ringing off the hook with people looking for kittens and as always there seems to be a lack of kittens in rescue centres but an abundance in various advertising sites.
We would urge everyone to think very carefully about 'buying' a kitten from an advert in a paper or on a website. In most cases these kittens are coming from private homes and there are a rising number of cases where female cats are being intentionally bred repeatedly in quick succession for kittens that their owners can sell on. This is exploitation of these cats who through no fault of their own are turned into breeding machines greatly reducing their life expectancy.
Also be aware that in many of these cases kittens are being sold at 5/6 weeks old which is far too young to be away from their mothers and many are not properly weaned nor have they been provided with the necessary medications for worming or seen a veterinary surgeon.
We encourage everyone, regardless of the wait involved for a kitten to go through rescue centre channels to adopt a kitten. This will provide you with a means of support, advice and assistance should any problems arise with the kitten in the intial introduction phase. In addition any kitten you adopt from a rescue centre should have been wormed regularly, vaccinated and seen by a veterinary surgeon prior to homing.
If however you wish to buy rather than adopt a kitten through rescue make sure you have done your research and go forearmed with questions and pay attention to the mum and the behaviour of all of the kittens.
Some Tips:
Kittens should be happy, bouncy and come running to play. If they are running along the skirting boards and extremely timid then walk away.
Look for runny eyes, sneezing, bloated tummy's and excessive scratching. These can be signs of illness, lack of worming and flea treatments.
All kittens should be a good weight for their age.
Does the mother cat look healthy and clear of sneezing, runny eyes, etc?
When was the mother cats last litter?
Have they seen a veterinary surgeon for a check up?
How old are the kittens? You do not want to be taking a kitten younger than 8 weeks of age as it may not be properly weaned.
Also bear in mind that the chances are on taking the kitten home you will have to pay, as a minimum, for the following on top of any cost for the kitten itself;
Worming Treatment - £5
2 x Vaccinations - £60+
Veterinary Checkup £15 - £30
Further costs may be incurred if the kitten is ill or infested with fleas.
Advantages of homing from Sunny Harbour Cat Rescue
All kittens leaving our care will have been provided with the following prior to their homing at 10 weeks old;
Veterinary Check Up.
Regular Worming Treatments.
Frontlined.
1st Vaccination for Cat Flu, Enteritis, etc.
Date given to return for 2nd Vaccination.
Lifetime Advice & Support Line.
2 weeks bacterial illness cover where we will address any illness within the initial 14 days providing our instructions are followed.
We are also in the process of setting up initial insurance cover for all cats leaving our care.
All of these steps are taken to ensure complete peace of mind for new owners so that you can make the most of enjoying your time settling in your new family member.
Vaccination
- Why Is It Important?
Vaccination is a routine element of owning any pet, or at least it should be. Vaccination gives essential protection for your furbabe in the event they come in contact with nasty and often killer diseases such as Cat Flu, Enteritis and others.
All cats should have been given 2 vaccination injections 3 weeks apart at 9 and 12 weeks old and thereafter an annual booster vaccination to ensure they are protected from these viruses and diseases.
Now, more than ever it is becoming increasingly important to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Over recent years there has been a decline in the number of people choosing to vaccinate their cats with disastrous results. Many of the virus's that have been kept at bay for a number of years are now beginning to re-appear and in stronger forms killing large numbers of cats as it infects our furbabes.
We have seen first hand the horrific ordeal cats have to go through when infected with these virus's and diseases and we would urge everyone to ensure their cats and other pets vaccinations are up to date.
If unsure at any time then please speak to your veterinary surgeon.
National Microchipping Month
Do you let your cat roam freely outdoors? Is he or she microchipped?
The most likely answer is no and we are urging owners to change this and take advantage of National Microchipping Month in June to have their cats microchipped at reduced prices with a number of vets throughout the Kingdom of Fife taking part.
There is an ever constant rise in the number of cats that go missing in Fife and many of these are found by members of the public or rescue centres. Without a microchip Rescue Centres and Vets are unable to scan these little ones and return them to their owner through identification using the chips unique number.
The microchips are approximately the size of a grain of rice and hold a chip number that when scanned, is displayed to us. We can then use this number to contact PetLog and trace the owners quickly reducing the time your loved one has to spend with us in a pen.
Microchipping is also a far safer way to identify your pet than a collar which if not the correct type or faulty i.e. a quick release safety collar, can result in serious injury or death of your cat.
Our own veterinary surgeons Cameron & Greig on Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath are taking part in National Microchipping Month with a discounted rate of £12.50.
Recent Residents
Cassie
Arrived with us last week after her owners wanted to have her put to sleep as she was being bullied by other cats. Luckily we stepped in and she is safe with us now and is settling well to life in strange surroundings.
Cassie is approx 9 yrs old and the most affectionate, loving little cat you could wish to meet. We hope to have Cassie up for adoption soon and are taking enquiries about her from possible adoptee's.
A tortoiseshell and white cat she is absolutely gorgeous as well as having a fantastic nature to boot and her photo's really do not do her justice.
We believe Cassie would be ideally suited to someone looking for a companion cat as she just loves human company and will do anything for a cuddle.
How You Can Help Sunny Harbour Cat & Kitten Rescue
There are a number of ways that you can help Sunny Harbour including the following;
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Collect old bedding, linen, towels which make great cat beds and are needed when bathing and caring for cats and kittens.
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Raise money from car boot stalls - Literature can be provided about the Rescue.
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Use the advertising links on our website and newsletters to earn commission for Sunny Harbour from your purchases while saving on your regular purchases.
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Donations of cat food are also very much appreciated.
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Put a collection can or food bin in your work place or local shop. Literature about Sunny Harbour can be provided along with collection tins.
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Donate ornaments, bric a brac that we can use to raise funds for the rescue.
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