Press Releases from Cats
Protection HQ
Cats,
allergies and asthma – presenting the facts.
Press Release from Cats Protection
Cats
Protection’s Top Tips for Keeping Cats Cool this Summer.
Cats
Protection, the
Some simple guidelines for cat owners during the hot weather:
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Sun protection: Cats love sun-bathing but many are at
risk of sun damage, particularly white and pale-coloured cats and those with
sparse hair on their ears. Ideally, all cats should be kept in between
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Shade and water: Most cats will find themselves a nice
shady spot when the going gets hot but it is a good idea to keep an eye on
elderly cats, as they can suffer from heat-stroke. Make sure puss has access to
plenty of water and, if a cat starts to pant, seek veterinary assistance, as
this is not normal behaviour.
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Car travel: Cats should not be left alone in a car,
even during short journeys. Water should be carried as a precaution and, again,
seek veterinary advice if puss starts panting.
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Food: Cats do not always want to eat a lot during hot weather.
However, if puss seems persistently off his food, it is best to seek veterinary
advice.
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Holidays:
Cats Protection does not recommend that owners take their felines with
them when they go on holiday. Cats are territorial animals and, if they get
lost in a strange environment, it can create a logistical nightmare – not
to mention a terrified pet.
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Leaving puss at home: During holiday times,
cats are best left at home in the hands of a pet sitter or reliable
friend/family member. It is recommended that the carer visits the home twice a
day to feed and water puss, as well as provide some fuss and play.
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Cattery: If it is impossible for puss to be cared for at home, the
second-best option is to book him into a reliable cattery. A good establishment
won’t mind a pre-stay visit to check out cleanliness, security, and pen
facilities. Catteries can cater for special veterinary needs and require an
up-to-date vaccination certificate for feline guests.
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Prior to leaving: Check
outbuildings and shut rooms in the house to double-check for trapped felines!
Press Release from Cats Protection
27 May 2003
Cats Protection’s statement on the Mammal
Society’s new survey
Cats Protection today
responded to the Mammal Society’s latest survey findings concerning the
lack of popularity of cats in gardens.
“Yet again, the Mammal Society seems
hell-bent on portraying cats as the major environmental threat to birds and
other wildlife in this country,” said Cats Protection’s Chief
Executive, Derek Conway. “It’s time to get things back into
perspective and examine some facts, rather than the hype around these issues.
As far as we know, no reputable research currently exists that shows cats to be
the main cause for bird depredation.”
The facts are as follows: -
1.
1. Cats
are the
2.
2. Many
cat owners are also wildlife lovers and keen gardeners. Some thoughtful
planning, coupled with the right information for cat owners and non-cat owners
alike, helps to ensure that cats, birds, small mammals and gardens can, and do,
co-exist together.
3.
3. When
it comes to cats’ predatory habits: -
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Cats are too often held simplistically and wrongly as the main cause of bird
and mammal species loss.
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Not all cats hunt.
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Many cats are kept as indoor pets.
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Some cats do not leave their owners’ gardens.
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Predatory activity amongst cats often significantly reduces after the first
three years of life.
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Cats have their own predators – cruel humans, other larger mammals and
cars.
4.
4.
The blue tit, the second most common garden bird killed by cats, is
actually increasing in number across the
5.
5. Bird
species that have undergone the most serious population decline in the UK, i.e.
skylarks, tree sparrows and corn buntings, rarely encounter cats, therefore it
is impossible to hold cats responsible for their decline.
6.
6. Making cats the scapegoat for bird and mammal species’
loss is simplistic and naïve. Humans are the main cause of environmental
destruction and the ensuing effect on wildlife – not cats. Species’
loss occurs for many reasons – the decline of hedgerows, climate change,
modern building techniques, development of land for housing and commercial
purposes and intensive agricultural practices, to name but a few. People, not
cats, are responsible for this negative state of affairs.
7.
7. Cats
Protection encourages responsible cat ownership – this includes a
recognition of the cat, garden and wildlife debate. To this end, the charity
fully supports keeping cats in at night (partly to protect them from predators)
and advises the public on ways to humanely deter cats from visiting
neighbours’ gardens. Neutering is also encouraged by the charity, partly
because it reduces a cat’s tendency to wander off and encounter cruelty.
6. Any moves to restrict a
cat’s right to roam would be impractical and impossible to monitor. It is
in their nature to explore their territory which is not always delineated by
garden fences.
Cats Protection does
not support tying fixed collars, bells or sonar devices around a cat’s
neck as their natural agility places them in danger of catching the collar on
branches and strangling an innocent creature going about its natural business.
Anyone
requiring further information on humane ways to deter cats from gardens, should contact Cats Protection’s Helpline.
Tel: 08702 099 099.
Press Release from Cats Protection
25 MAY 2003
A complementary relationship – new research shows we
care for our cats more alternatively.
A cat that got the
cream used to be considered a pampered puss but with pet owners now spending
more than £3.5 billion a year on their animals, it is perhaps no surprise
that Cats Protection’s latest research has found that alternative health
care for cats is a growing phenomenon for cat owners keen to give their feline
friend the best!
Cat owners are showing the special place that their felines
have in their affections by keeping their pets happy and healthy with the same
treatments that they themselves benefit from. Owners are now more open to
consulting a healer or a vet that practices alternative therapies to treat
their felines’ behavioural and physical health problems. The survey found
that homeopathy, Bach Flower Rescue Remedy and even reiki
healing are all popular choices of treatment for cats from
Cats Protection, the
Findings from Cats Protection’s research released for this
year’s Curl Up With Your Cat Day (26 May 2003), have also revealed
some other interesting ways in which we are increasingly showing our love for
our cats, according to charity Chief Executive, Derek Conway. “Not only
are we using more alternative therapies on our feline friends, we are now more
likely to recognise our cats’ musical tastes and even give our pets human
names. It all goes to show what great company our cats are,” he said.
Statistics released today (Friday, 23 May), show that cats
have a soft spot for classical music (56%), closely followed by pop and rock
music (42%) and easy listening.
And,
you’re more likely to meet a furry Charlie, Harry or Lucy than a Tiddles, Fluffy or Smokey! Cats Protection found that nine
out of the top 10 male cat names, and eight out of the top 10 female cat names,
were human rather than a traditional cat name.
Cats Protection’s second, annual Curl Up
With Your Cat Day takes place on Monday, 26 May. The aim of the day
is to highlight the ways in which cats are playing
an increasingly important role in people’s lives, in order to successfully raise awareness of Cats Protection’s
work and encourage more rehoming of rescue cats. For
more information on the charity’s work, please contact Cats
Protection’s Helpline. Tel: 08702 099 099 or
log onto www.cats.org.uk
14 May 2003
Cats Protection
launches “5 Minute Guide” fact sheets for cat lovers on the run!
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Can cats
live as vegetarians?
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How does microchipping
work?
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Why do cats spray?
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Why should I have my cat neutered?
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How can fleas affect my cat?
The answers to these,
and many more commonly-asked questions, can be quickly found in Cats
Protection’s new and informative “5 Minute Guide” feline fact
sheets.
The “5 Minute
Guide” fact sheet series is primarily aimed at busy cat lovers who want
to both care for their cat correctly and get the pertinent facts –
quickly!
According to Judy
Bernstein, Head of Promotions at Cats Protection, the series has been developed
in response to the public’s growing need for answers to commonly-asked
questions about cats.
“Cats are now our
nation’s favourite pet so there’s a big demand for basic
information about how to care for them properly. We wanted to provide the
relevant facts and figures whilst also being aware to not overload people with
information,” she explained. “It’s heartening that
there’s more awareness of companion animal welfare issues,” she
added.
There are currently six
titles in the series with more planned in the near future! Current titles
include: -
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Neutering
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Microchipping
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Fleas
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Spraying
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Feeding
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Toxoplasmosis
The “5 Minute
Guides” are ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about felines. School
children doing projects, teenagers, working people and those with little prior
experience of caring for cats, could all find them useful.
“5 Minute
Guides” are available free-of-charge from Cats Protection’s
Helpline: call 08702 099 099 during office hours or
e-mail helpline@cats.org.uk .
Press Release from Cats Protection
9 May 2003
Statement
on trade in cat and dog fur.
Following recent media coverage of the trade and sale of fur from
companion animals in
“We are totally opposed to this
horrific trade, both in
Fur farming is outlawed in
Concerned persons wishing to express their support
for a ban in this trade should write to David Byrne, the European Commissioner
for Consumer Affairs at the Department of Health and Consumer Protection, the
European Commission, Rue de la Loi 200, B1049
Brussels, Belgium.
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