100 CLUB DRAW AND CHRISTMAS FAIR
The event took place on 3rd December at the Rotary Club, Lytham. We had set up the stalls the previous afternoon and all were hoping for a decent day.
Unfortunately, Saturday was shockingly wet and windy and we were disappointed by the poor turnout. We had the 100 club draw at 11am and then the event was open to the public. Thank you to everyone who did come and we hope they had a super day. The volunteers certainly did.
All in all, everyone did really well and our new helpers want to come again!
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Cat Rescue Dec 2011
Newsletter for Autumn 2011
The Autumn 2011 Newsletter for members is now ready to be viewed online
here !
A SAD FAREWELL TO ERMINE
Regular visitors to the cattery will be saddened to learn that Ermine, our long time feral white cat, was put to sleep this Tuesday. She had had liver cancer for nearly 12 months and was fine until the weekend. She went to the vets for a check up and it was found that her liver had many tumours. The vets decided that she had very little time left and would start to suffer pain.
It is very difficult to tell if a cat is in pain as they hide it from us.
We were aware that Ermine's pen, with her three feral friends was very on edge and once she had gone, the pen returned to its usual calm environment.
We believe that the cats sensed Ermine was very ill even before we did. Sadly, Ermine's best friend Olive is missing her and is very sad. As always, the space left by Ermine has already been filled by a new feral, whom we have named Kevin.
Cat Rescue
14 July 2011
ST ANNES CARNIVAL 9 July 2011 from 9:30am
We had a wonderful day at the Carnival. Come back later for a report on how it went for Cat Rescue.
100 CLUB SUMMER GARDEN PARTY on Sunday 3 July
The 100 club summer garden party took place at Cat Rescue. Paul Campbell took these photos for us all to enjoy.
The weather was fabulous and the event well attended. We made lots of money for the cats through our bric-a-brac stalls, raffles and the famous wheel of chance.
The highlight was a recital by the Blackpool Soundwaves
, a ladies close harmony ‘a capella’ choir. They gave their recital for free and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
4 July 2011
BEAVERBROOKS ANNUAL 10K ON SUNDAY MAY 8th 2011 - £589.50 RAISED FOR THE CATS
Despite a dreadful wet start, Mike, his son Daniel and Joan completed the course and returned slightly damp but in great spirits.
We now have the amount of the monies raised by Mike, his son and Joan this year. Altogether it comes to £589.50, which will go a long way to helping in the refurbishment of the final pen (Wrea Pen). Thank you to all who supported our wonderful walkers.
We suspect that a lot of our lovely members didn't get the notice we sent out about the walk, which is worrying and expensive. Therefore, we are going to ask members to telephone and let us know that they have received the newsletter, which is due to be sent out in June and which will contain details of the Garden Party. We will try to telephone people who haven't got in touch just to make sure that they have - or have not received it. If the latter, we will be contacting the Post Office.
29 May 2011
FUND RAISING EVENT AT KINGSWAY AUCTION HOUSE - SATURDAY MAY 7th 2011
Despite horrid weather, Carol Shaw and Christine Meakin gamely manned the Wheel of Chance and here we see a lucky passer-by who won a bottle of wine!
The weather deteriorated and as they packed up, the heavens opened. It hasn't dampened their spirits (pardon the pun) though.
Donated bottles of wine and spirits are always welcome for use in the Wheel of Chance.
CHIVERS IS SAFE AND SOUND
Seven years ago a young cat arrived in Ashton Gardens, Lytham St Annes and so started an Urban Myth.
Chivers, as she was named, has been looked after by three seperate people. Somehow the public believed that she was a feral cat and therefore had chosen to live rough in a park. Latterly she has been named Seville but we have found that she prefers to be called Chivers.
After receiving telephone calls from concerned passers-by we tried to catch her before Christmas but people kept deliberately setting off the cat trap. These traps do not hurt the cats or put them in danger but are necessary to contain them. We needed to use it to catch her as she was always just out of our reach, being very wary of humans.
Then the ice and snow came and for six weeks a whole army of people pulled together to make sure she had food and fresh water.
Finally, with the help of Katrina, the original lady who had helped her all those years ago, we picked her up. Chivers is now learning to relax and feel safe again. We would love to find her owner for her.
Can we take this opportunity to explain the difference between a feral cat and a stray cat?
- A stray cat is a cat who has lost its owner. It has been used to living in a home and being looked after and it craves human attention.
- A feral cat is a cat that was not born in a home but outside to a mother cat who herself was born outside. As they have never been held, stroked or pampered by humans, they grow up in fear of humans and therefore avoid them. Sometimes if we pick feral kittens up young enough, we can turn them into domesticated, people-loving cats.
- Somewhere in between these two is a stray who has had a bad experience. Maybe it was dumped or simply found itself lost (e.g. it's quite common for a cat to get into a van and end up miles away). This type of stary has become so traumatised that it shuns people. As time goes by it gets ever more wary so that an unknowledgable person finding it naturally assumes that it is a feral. These cats are a joy to sancturies because given time, they can be turned back into the loving animals they once were and then rehomed.
Chiver's story is a blend of cooperation from all sorts of people. From the park keepers who turned a blind eye to the messy food dishes left in their lovely borders and the local shop keepers who looked out for her, to the passers by who were concerned and made their concerns known.
It is just so sad she had to endure seven years alone in the cold and wet of Ashton Gardens.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHIVERS?
Well, if we can't find her previous owner, we will re-educate her into the ways of home comforts and human interaction. Then we will find her a safe, calm caring home where we will keep a watchful eye on her.
So, thank you to everyone who has helped her SO FAR.
CAT RESCUE ONE DAY SALE ON 12 MARCH
Our sale at Sylvia's shop in Ansdell went ahead as planned on Saturday 12 March. The weather wasn't very pleasant but it didn't deter lots of shoppers from calling in to support us and bag a bargain. We managed to raised £231 for the cats so a special thank you to Sylvia. Thank you too to our supporters, who worked tirelessly to set up the goods and pack up what was left!
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