Microchipping Event at the Senedd

 All for Cats!

Yes, that’s what we are and what drives us. And if you are reading this, then it probably applies to you too.

You may be aware that microchipping will be compulsory in England from 10^th June 2024 and although it is on the agenda and in the Animal Welfare Plan for Wales no date has been given for microchipping to be enforced in Wales.

To push the issue up the agenda, Daryl Gordon the Cats Protection Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Wales arranged an event at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay to bring the matter to the attention of parliamentarians. He was joined by Madison Rogers, Cats Protection Head of Advocacy, Campaigns & Government Relations and members of her staff from Head Office, Jenna Butcher, Deputy Manager, Bridgend Adoption Centre (BAC) and me, Theresa Cooper, Volunteer at BAC. We were fortunate to be sponsored by Huw Irranca-Davies, our local MS.

Theresa and Jenna at the Senedd

The drop-in reception event was to raise awareness of the importance of microchipping pet cats, to answer questions on microchipping and to encourage the Welsh Government to pass legislation which makes microchipping pet cats compulsory. MSs came and went throughout the event and in conversations with them we were able to ask if they had a cat, point out case studies of cats being reunited with their owners and using a fluffy toy cat and scanner, demonstrate how scanners work. They were offered a pledge board to have their picture taken with and we didn’t have any refusals.

KEY STATS ON MICROCHIPPING

According to the Cats Protection CATS 2023 report:

·        71% of owned cats in Wales are microchipped.

·        25% of owned cats in Wales are NOT microchipped.

·        4% of owners are unsure.

This means there are potentially 180,000 owned cats in Wales that are not microchipped!Hence the need to highlight to Welsh Government that they need to pass this legislation asap.

We were also joined by representatives from Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross and Battersea Dogs and Cats Homes, so they could see the type of advocacy work carried out by Cats Protection. And to thank and encourage parliamentarians for their interest, there were some goodies (Cats Protection branded!) to take away and tasty treats of Welsh cakes and slices of bara brith.

Most of those I chatted to did have cats in the family or had experience of owning a pet. There was a great deal of interest shown, appreciation for all the work carried out by Cats Protection and a general willingness to move forward with the Animal Welfare Plan as early as possible.

As a volunteer I was thanked numerous times for my commitment and (a first for me) took part in a live video blog on Huw Irranca-Davies’s Twitter (or X) page. It does reflect the attitude of the MSs we met in that 26 attended, almost half the total number of Senedd members - a new record for a Cats Protection event!

Hopefully, we did raise awareness of welfare matters, and that it’s a human issue too. As we know, it can be devastating to lose a pet and not know what has happened to them or where they are.

Theresa Cooper, Volunteer Bridgend Adoption Centre

Fostering with CP Bridgend!

Hello, I am Marie, I have had the privilege of fostering cats for Cat’s Protection Bridgend Adoption Centre for three years. I could use all the usual superlatives and say how rewarding it is etc., and it is, but it is also a bit scary and emotional at times. 

 As a fosterer you are not alone. The Centre staff and Volunteer Coordinator are incredibly supportive and go above and beyond for cats in their care and for you as a foster volunteer. Even the smallest thing is never a problem, the staff are always there at the end of the phone, or just an email away. The training is incredibly thorough and fascinating, both at the induction stage and ongoing with developmental workshops. You may have looked after cats all your life but I can honestly say, you know nothing! But as long as you care then fostering is for you. 

When people find out that I foster cats the usual comment is’ how can you let them go, I’d get too attached?’. Well yes, I do get attached, that’s human, and there is always a grieving process once a cat in my care has been homed. However, I know that it’s found it’s forever loving home and there are always so many other cats who are waiting to be helped. Moving on is just a part of the process and a reward in itself, I really wouldn’t change it. Being a foster carer is the best experience ever. 

One of my foster cats in Rainbow, the first time I met Rainbow was after I’d received a phone call to ask if I would be willing to foster a cat who needed to lose weight but it would be on a longer term basis. I arrived to collect her from the Bridgend Adoption Centre and I knew immediately she was a special girl when all the staff came to say an emotional farewell to her. This was understandable as Rainbow had been at the Centre for nearly six months, receiving all the TLC and care she needed to begin her on her weight loss journey. Rainbow had Already lost 2.5 kilos, falling from a dangerous 12.7 kilos to 10.2 kilos.

Being the gentle and trusting soul she is, it didn’t take Rainbow long to settle in. However, it was impossible for her to display any of the natural cat behaviours such as playing or chasing because of her obesity. She was unable to walk more than a short distance or even jump up onto the settee without help. As she gradually lost weight exciting milestones were reached that began to transform her life. Her pain medication was gradually reduced to nothing, she became more alert and responsive. A video of her playing was a must when she started chasing her baby toy mouse across the floor, it became easier for her to jump onto the settee with less and less effort. 

Small things but a massive achievement for Rainbow. When her weight eventually dropped to just over 8 kilos she was assessed as ready to be homed and her health was in less danger because of her size. It was a thrilling and exciting moment for all those involved in Rainbow’s care. Her weight loss now meant that she was able to live a more normal cat life.  I will never forget you Rainbow, well done, and thank you for all the joy you gave us getting to know you. 

Rainbow has since been adopted and is happily settled with her new family and has continued with her weight loss programme. Sarah and Matthew, her new owners have said: 

“We took her to the vets on Friday for another check-up and weighing. The vets are so happy with her progress so far and we are so pleased that she has lost more weight again, she is now 7.1KG! We know she has a lot of loose skin now but so far this is not affecting her moving around at all…. she’s even running down the stairs when she knows it’s breakfast time! 

Rainbow is grooming several times a day now, she’s got several favourite sleeping spots around the house and she’s so cuddly, just loves chin tickle, resting her head on our hands with me and matt fussing over her…. which we do A LOT she’s just so adorable! She still loves her fish puzzle feeder and she has several Cat nip toys which she loves cuddling into. 

We think she loves her crinkle matt the best though as she is always lounging around on this. We just love her so much, I know we’ve said this before but it feels like she has always been a part of our family and we can’t thank you all enough for giving us the honour of looking after her and giving her, her furever home.

To find out more about fostering or to apply to be a fosterer please click here

Celebrating our Queen Cats

Did you know that pregnant cats are called queens? Not many people do!

Every year we have many homeless queens that come into our care, and this year is no different! Cat queens need extra care, and there a number of things we do here at the Bridgend Adoption Centre to make sure that they are looked after and given the best care possible.

It’s really important that queens can give birth in a safe and warm environment, which means that we make sure there’s plenty of towels and soft bedding for them – they have their own queen-sized bed to rest and deliver their kittens comfortably!

 

One of our Cat Queens, Pixie

 

Pregnant cats eat up to 25% more food before and after giving birth to keep them and their kittens well, so we make sure to provide them with a balanced diet full of nutrition – you could say that their meals that are fit for royalty.

Queens can become quite anxious and stressed whilst giving birth so we make sure to give them plenty of privacy whilst discreetly monitoring them to make sure all is going well with the birth. Our CCAs in waiting are on hand to call the vets quickly if the queen is unwell or struggling during birth. Some new mums can find caring for lots of new kittens overwhelming, if this is the case, mum and kittens will be admitted to our vets for round the clock care until all is well with them.

 

Pixie with her kittens

 

Mum and kittens are always monitored and cared for

Kittens spend at least 8 weeks with mum while they feed, build their strength, learn about the world around them and become socialised. We also make sure that all kittens, as well as mum, are vaccinated and neutered. Then it’s time to find mum and kittens their forever home! We make sure to pair them with their purrfect new family, where they will be loved and cared for… living their own version of happily ever after! It makes us so happy when our queens and kittens find new homes - seeing them head off with new owners always fills us with joy.

Here at the Adoption Centre, queen Pixie was admitted into care along with her 2 dependent kittens, Pickle and Parker. She was a brilliant mum and did a great job of rearing her kittens, and we are happy to say that they have both now been adopted! Unfortunately, Pixie went on to develop a bacterial urinary tract infection that required her to undergo tests and treatment including blood & urine tests, x-rays and a scan. Luckily, she has responded well to a course of antibiotic medication! 

Pixie's kittens, Parker and Pickle

 

It's thanks to your generous donations that we can help cats like Pixie, giving them the care and treatment that they need, and also making sure that they and their kittens find happy new homes.

Will you help us to care for our cat queens? Please make a donation today so we can continue to provide round-the-clock care to our cat queen and kittens. Your donations will help us give every cat mum who is lost, hungry and alone the extra special care they need. Your contribution to Cats Protection will make an impact!

A £5 donation will feed a hungry cat mum like Pixie with specialist food for 25 days.

A £20 donation will provide a safe and comfortable place to give birth.

A £50 donation will provide a cat or kitten with veterinary treatment to help get them ready for a new home.

You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/summerappeal2022-bridgendadoptioncentre?fbclid=IwAR1Od9bEhhawC6z9WStdZdaZPOD0CRazeZjaFwi4AL3c4gAtLUJbW_9t9eo

  

Thank you so much!

-Bridgend Adoption Centre team

 

The Desensitisation Program: Milky's Story

 

Many cats are admitted to the Bridgend Adoption Centre every year from all backgrounds and situations. For most, the upheaval from their past lives, the people they knew, familiar sights sounds and smells can be stressful. Some cats adjust quite quickly to their time at the Adoption Centre while they wait to find their forever home, but some may need a little extra help. For these situations, we have a team of volunteers and staff in our Desensitisation Program.

Milky was just such a cat; a beautiful 7-year-old, all white, long-haired female. She was admitted to the centre by her owner, after her landlord had threatened eviction when they found out she had a cat - she was left having to make the sad decision to give Milky up.

It was observed quite quickly that Milky was avoiding any interaction with the staff and volunteers as they did their daily cleaning and feeding. She would move from her inside pen to her outside run through the cat flap, and seemed quite anxious when people were in close proximity. Because of this, it was decided to include Milky in the Desensitisation Program, to try to help her gain confidence.

Milky’s pen was set up in a way that meant minimal cleaning was needed – this is because some timid cats can find having their pens cleaned stressful. A high-vis apron is worn during cleaning or administering any necessary medication, but not when carrying out desensitisation or feeding - this is so that the cat can distinguish between positive and negative experiences.

 

 Sometimes a towel is used to cover half of the pen window, to help ease the cat’s stress if they prefer not to see other cats. Bedding is left alone (as long as it remains clean), as this will create a scent profile (they can smell their own scent on the bedding) which helps make the cat feel more relaxed. Feliway can also help as it releases calming pheromones into the pen, so this is sprayed onto a cloth or blanket and once dry it is placed into the pen.  

The first stage of interaction is for the Cat Carer to sit outside the pen and to observe the cat, seeing what their behaviour is and where they are sitting in the pen, speaking softly and calmly to the cat and making no effort at this early stage to touch the cat. Everything within the Desensitisation Program is done at a slow pace so that the cat is happy – instead of forcing interaction which would cause further stress to the cat and would set back the process. Only when the cat is making good progress is it moved on to the next stage.

Senior Cat Carer Katie during one of Milky's sessions

Milky slowly began to show signs of interest and started interacting with the team members by approaching them and rubbing against them. She became interested in the toys being offered to her as she progressed through the stages of the program, and her confidence started to grow. She even started enjoying a little fuss! This just shows how important the Desentitisation Program is for stressed or nervous cats. It’s always a great feeling to see the difference in cats like Milky when they begin to regain their confidence and trust in people.

 

 

We’re happy to say that Milky was placed up for adoption and was soon on her way to her new family. All the Adoption Centre staff and volunteers hope her confidence continues to grow, and we know that she will become a much-loved member of her new family!

- Bridgend Adoption Centre Team