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Christmas really does seem to come earlier and earlier every year - or is that just a sign that we are getting older? Most of our animals will fare much better over the holiday season than we will. As we recover slowly from too much (and much too rich) food and wine, most of them will have celebrated sensibly with the odd plate of turkey - strange that we are much better at looking after our cats' health than our own! Our Christmas campaign via the C4 neutering project is "Give your stray a Christmas present that will last him for life - free neutering and an allied health check!" Fraser Wright reports below on the success of the campaign to date - a serious number of neuterings carried out but an equally serious amount left to do. C4 will soon carry out its 10,000th neutering but for the campaign to continue to achieve its aims the consortium needs to be able to finance an ongoing programme and is aiming for 10,000 neuterings a year - a number that would have been unthinkable without the additional strengths derived from charities operating in concert (and a fairly daunting one even with those advantages!)
C4 Report - Fraser Wright(Friends CP North London Shelter Volunteer and Chair of C4)Cat Care and Control Consortium (C4) was formed in 1998 by a group of animal charities in North London concerned with the increasing cat population in their area. Animal Aid and Advice, ARCH, RSPCA Central London and SNIP were the prime instigators, with Friends CP North London Shelter and Cat Action Trust (1977) coming in later. Representatives from these groups meet every two months to discuss the cat situation and are joined by others from the Beaumont and Mayhew Animal Hospitals. During 1998/99 a pilot project was introduced where over 1000 cats were neutered in North London and the borders of East London. This scheme was so successful that it was decided to extend the project over London. As at 12 September 2003 we have neutered and paid for 7,897 cats, mainly in the north and east of London, but we are now making progress in other London boroughs within the M25 boundary. The scheme is open to people on state benefits, students, pensioners, folks on low income and anyone who is feeding a stray or strays. People are offered help with the loan of baskets to get the cats to the vet and vets do carry out other treatments where necessary, given the approval of a C4 representative. There are over 100 vets involved, who charge us charity rates for the neutering. £275,663 has been raised as at 12 September, of which £202,298 has been spent, £64,050 committed and £9,315 still available. Approaches are now being made to various charities/organisations for further money to keep the momentum going on this important project. STOP PRESS We hear that C4 is to be represented in the London Marathon next April by a veterinary nurse, running to raise funds to swell the neutering pot. Sponsorship details are available from Fraser Wright on 020 7249 0489. Please support her if you are able.
Man's InhumanityOn Wednesday 22 October a regular customer rushed into our East Finchley charity shop carrying a little black and white cat in a cardboard box. A motorcyclist had narrowly avoided an accident when the cat had been thrown out of a car window into the road in front of him, causing him to swerve badly. The incident took place outside Tesco in Friern Barnet at around 2pm and our customer rushed the cat to the shop since he knew we would be able to help.One of our fieldworkers, Maja Hasan, collected the cat from the shop and took her immediately to the nearest vet. Maja pronounced the animal the thinnest cat she had ever seen although, unbelievably, one of the friendliest. On examination it turned out that neglect and shock were not the only problems - she was in the final stages of terminal cancer and had a huge tumour in her stomach, the size of an orange, which was preventing her from passing water. She was a long haired cat and so badly matted that she had torn her skin in a hopeless effort to groom herself. Sadly the vet advised that there was nothing we could do to make her comfortable and, although we have a strict no euthanasia policy except where we cannot prevent suffering, there was nothing more we could do for her other than to put her to sleep. We do not know if we could have helped her if she had been seen earlier. Although our fieldworkers frequently encounter suffering, more often the result of ignorance or neglect than deliberate cruelty, incidents like this still shock and distress everyone concerned. This cat obviously had had an owner and someone had apparently stood by and watched it suffer as the cancer advanced until, at the point where the cat was most in need of a little kindness, they callously threw it away in a manner designed to cause maximum suffering. In our experience, people who show this level of insensitivity to animal suffering also show a similar attitude towards people and it is frightening to think that they are unlikely to be brought to account. With the number of animal welfare groups operating in the London area, there is no excuse for deliberate abandonment in these circumstances. Although we are all stretched to the limits most of the time, most groups will take animals in immediately, particularly if they are at risk, and often it is just a case of the owners asking for help. If anyone did see anything, or thought they could identify the people who did this, possibly because a cat of this description has recently gone missing, we would treat any information in confidence.
Reject? Who me?Those of you who were particularly touched by Marilyn Dyson's tale of "The Reject" in our Spring issue will be pleased to know that "Mischa Mamsie", the one-eyed, one-toothed twelve year old, has been in touch to tell us how she is getting on in her new home.She sent us a picture "with my heartiest thanks to Animal Aid and Advice, who rescued me, gave me all medical protection and found a very happy home for me in September 2002". Our thanks to owner Jutta Schmatz, who we suspect helped with holding the pen and spelling!
New Celia Hammond Clinic OpeningWe understand that Celia Hammond plans to open yet another low cost neutering clinic in Chatham.We know how much effort goes in to setting up and operating these clinics and are very aware of the valuable work they do. Chatham is an area of particular need and it is marvellous news that such a valuable resource will be at hand in the future. Our very best wishes to Celia and all her staff and volunteers in this new venture.
Leeson Hall, Furlong Road, N7For a number of years Leeson Hall has been our venue for AGM meetings, jumble sales and other fund-raising events. Unfortunately, the building has been sold and has passed into private hands, consequently we are now "homeless".We are looking for other premises, but the cost of hiring halls nowadays is prohibitive. We should like to thank Evelyn and Alan Johnson for facilitating our use of Leeson Hall over the years. We shall keep Members and Supporters informed about any decisions regarding a future venue.
Forthcoming EventsMarch 2003 - AGMMarch 2003 - Ealing Fayre
Obituary - Charlie GornallWe have learnt with regret of the recent death of Charlie Gornall, husband of Ivy Gornall, former Chairman of Animal Aid and Advice. They were a famous team in the cat world, working indefatiguably for the welfare of all cats and supporting more than generously the work of various cat charities. We wish Ivy a rapid recovery from her present illness and offer her and her family our sincere condolences.
"Design a New Logo" CompetitionDon't forget, the deadline for entries is 31 December 2003 so this is your very last chance to enter and win that bottle of champagne. Entries by post, please, to 16 Ingham Road, London NW6 1DE
Breeding like...Guinea PigsWe have received an urgent plea from Tom at Mabel's Place (one of our dog show sponsors) who had a number of guinea pigs dumped outside his pet store in Mill Lane NW6. Many turned out to be pregnant and he is now overrun with small furries. Being a responsible pet store owner Tom does not sell animals in his shop and has asked if we can help with re-homing. If you think you can offer one or more a home please telephone Anne on 020 7435 0704.
If you would like to volunteer, for fundraising, fieldwork or fostering, or would like to offer a home to a cat or kitten, please telephone 020 7607 1723 If you would like to become a member and receive our quarterly newsletter, please see the Membership page. [ TOP OF PAGE ] The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily the views of Animal Aid & Advice or the Editor. |
Happy New Year from Trimble - Photograph by Violet Philpot
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