We ourselves had a 6 month old who had the fur from round her neck either ripped off at some stage by whatever means or a flea collar infection (although she wasn't wearing one when rescued) which had got dangerously infected. She was with us over Christmas and at first didn't respond to treatment. We were all very worried about her as the infection was spreading rather than improving. But gradually, I am relieved to say she did start to improve and has now been re-homed. Although a bit bald at the moment she is awaiting her nice new fur to grow back.

The Animal Aid & Advice AGM 2002

Hackney Wick - Tracy

She said she was a "dog person" but last year a stray cat turned up on her doorstep and she started feeding it. Asking her friends, she was told they only have one kitten season per year and have about 2 or 3 kittens. As the cats were all feral except one, they would come and feed and then go again, so the kittens were born somewhere in the fields adjoining the area.

I explained that these cat could not be rehomed as they had had no human contact and were wild, but we could get them neutered and stop them multiplying.

Reluctantly she agreed and I started trapping; pregnant cats, young kittens, older kittens, tomcats etc etc. This took a few months as the cats were starting to get very wary. The nursing mums who had already had their kittens in the fields could not be trapped until they had brought their kittens for feeding or we had found where they were. The final four took a couple of months as they had kittens, but eventually they have all been done.

Yet again! The same comments from a feeder of a controlled cat colony. 22 cats and 17 kittens later, Tracy is finding that the cats are getting more friendly fewer or no cat-fights and most of all - no more kittens. She is happy to feed the dozen or so that have stayed around, the rest have moved up the road to a neighbour and are now being fed there and thankfully all the kittens found good homes through the charity, including the tame mum.

Cat Care & Control Consortium (North Thames) C4 Project

Following this success it was agreed to proceed with a second project including offering free neutering for strays, as this was recognised as being a high priority area (23% of cats neutered during the first project were strays). For the second project additional support was forthcoming from the RSPCA Surrey Branch, Cat Action Trust 1977, ARCH of Haringey and The Liz Smith ABC Fund (via AAA). Funds are administered through the accounts of the RSPCA Central London Branch whose honorary treasurer is a chartered accountant and whose annual accounts are subject to an independent review. Over 40 veterinary practices are participating.

In order to reach as many people as possible, posters advertising the scheme have been translated into thirteen languages.

After one year over 2,300 applications have been received and approx. 2,000 cats neutered, with many more in the pipeline. It is anticipated that additional funds will need to be sought in order to continue the project.

This is an encouraging venture in many ways: primarily it enables many cats to be neutered who would otherwise not be and prevent the birth of unwanted kittens, but it also enables the charities to work together with encouraging results and has the wholehearted co-operation of many veterinary practices. It is hoped that the scheme will continue indefinitely and be widened to include all areas of London.

If anyone would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, or could help in publicising the scheme by distributing posters etc. in North and East London, please call 020 7607 1723.

Rogues' Gallery

Renamed "Fluffy" so she didn't feel too badly out of things in a house full of cats and rabbits, she is now thriving (although looking for a companion) and is generally known as "Fluffy Ted".

Ruth Plant - A Pioneer In Animal Welfare

Ruth Plant was one of the pioneers in the idea of controlling feral cat populations by trapping, neutering and returning them to site. She helped set up Cat Action Trust; a group dedicated to this concept. She also made acceptable the idea of animal wardens to control the stray dog population.

For details of ordering please phone: 020 7607 1723

Freddie And Tabitha

They have since informed us that they have settled in very well and are now definitely part of the family. These little cats have captured their owners' hearts and they said "life was very dull before Freddle and Tabitha came along, we don't know what we would do without them now, they have brightened up our lives immensely".

Read about the adventures of "Fluffy Ted".

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