From the Editor

2020 has been an extraordinary year for all of us, including Cats’ Aid.
We would like to reassure our supporters that our work of Intake, Rehoming, TNR and general help has continued throughout the year. TNR involved rescuing from many difficult situations, including an attic with a cat trapped behind a wall.

The cats didn’t observe Social Distancing and the kittens kept arriving! During the year to the end of Oct. we took in 54 cats, including pregnant moms, and we rehomed 79.  

We have had to follow advice about contact with people and we have carried out ‘virtual’ home checks via Whatsapp. This has proved to be quite time-consuming, and we thank people for their patience. 
We haven’t been able to hold Sales or fund-raising events this year, so our income has dropped. Of course we understand that many people are on reduced incomes at present and may not be able to continue their support. We really appreciate whatever support you can give and we assure everybody that our administration expenses are kept to an absolute minimum and that any money received goes directly to benefit the many cats in our care (58 at the end of Oct., including long-term.) 
 

Buddy and Albert

RESCUE STORIES

BUDDY
This is Buddy when he was rescued in Oct. He was in a potentially dangerous situation, so Sandra, one of our team, had to move quickly. When she arrived she found that there was another kitten, that she trapped, and their mother also went into the trap. Mom was spayed and returned 3 days later. Buddy was near death when he came in and he was brought to Raheny Vets who warned that he might not make it. They gave him medication. Sandra nursed him for three weeks with antibiotics, decongestants and even a nebuliser.

And here is Buddy now, completely recovered and happy with his brother Billy in his new home. So, a triple win, instead of a single one.

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ALBERT
Albert came in to us in Oct. in very poor condition. He had a lice infestation, he was anaemic, had an upset tummy and needed fluids and ongoing medical and dental care. We appealed for funds for Albert’s treatment and many of you responded very generously—thank you.

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TRAP, NEUTER, RETURN

Trap, Neuter, Return is central to Cats’ Aid’s work. We are often asked to help with colonies of feral cats and with strays in peoples’ gardens. The photo above shows just one example.

One of our vets gave our contact details to a girl who needed help with 8 cats. She was willing to pay for neutering, which is very rare—so many people expect rescue groups to pay for everything. Neutering this number of cats costs approx. €600, which is why we appreciate donations. We also appreciate an Ex Gratia payment from the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for our TNR programme.

This particular case involved 12 visits with traps, (early morning and late evening) and driving to and from the vets before all the cats were neutered and vet-checked. The cats have been returned to their base. They will be monitored and fed by an elderly lady who is willing to do this in spite of needing lifts to the location.

8 cats now secure –this shows what can be done when people are willing to help.

DOREEN GRANT – A REFLECTION

Cats’ Aid sadly lost one of our longest-serving members, Doreen Grant, last February. This tribute is written by Ann Woulfe, another of our Core Group members. Cats’ Aid extends our sincere sympathy to Doreen’s daughter, Lesley. Ed.

A smiling face and twinkling eyes are what I vividly remember about meeting Doreen for the first time. That was in March 2004 at Pat Keating’s vet practice in Raheny. We clicked immediately and thus began a great friendship. One year later I was handing the proceeds of a fundraiser over to Doreen when she said, “Do you fancy doing one or two nights on the Helpline?”

Doreen was our “go to” person within Cats’ Aid for many years and her home became an indoor haven for rescued cats. When I first met her she had up to thirty cats dependent on her. She was for many a “last gasp saloon!” She loved each and every cat that came into her care and she tried to give each of them individual attention every day. Her shopping list/bill was all about wet food, dry food, cold meats etc. all for the cats. She mourned the passing of each cat she lost. She was a private person re: grieving but did appreciate support when she received it.

Doreen had many other interests which had been sacrificed along the way for the sake of the cats. However, she did enjoy the company of other people and she would smile when I would say “You scrub up well,” when we went out for lunch.

She was an acute observer of human nature and was very shrewd in her dealings with others. Although she was no fool, she was instantly sympathetic if someone shared with her a loss or difficulty they were encountering in their daily lives. She would spend hours on the phone every day, starting with the Helpline. She provided an informal counselling service (for us.)

Doreen didn’t drive and giving her a lift to or from meetings proved to be a mixed blessing. She would have the agenda in front of her (in the car) and would proceed to air her thoughts on the various items. By the time we would get to the Hall she would have herself completely wound up and would walk into the Hall saying “I’m going to have to go; I have thirty odd cats to feed.” We would try to appease her by saying “Ah, stay a while; you’re just here.” I never knew whether to burst out laughing or to say a silent prayer .

After the very sad passing of Doreen’s son, Hugh, a few years ago, Doreen’s health started to bother her more. She tried valiantly not to complain, and she became a true warrior in terms of keeping going for everybody’s sake. Life had become very difficult. She was able to continue living at home and passed away suddenly but peacefully in February of this year . . .

We still remember all the cats and kittens she took into her home and heart.

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

Can you help Cat’s Aid, Please?

Cats’ Aid urgently needs new volunteers to assist in our work.

We have reached a crisis situation and if we don’t get some help we may have to cease operations, which would be a shame after thirty years of helping countless hundreds of cats and kittens.

We need help mainly in the following areas: –

Our telephone Helpline.    This involves dealing with requests for help with TNR etc. and enquries about homing cats. We need people to take over 1 or 2 days per week to start with.  A good telephone manner, patience and tact are needed.

House visits.    We always like to visit prospective adopters in their homes, to meet them and to see where the cat would be living. Help with this is needed especially in the inner city and north side.

Emails.             This involves responding to email inquiries, passing on queries, etc.

Foster Carers    Temporary homes are urgently needed for our kittens and cats.

Transport          Bringing cats to and from vets and homes. Delivering traps, etc.

Fundraising      People to organize fund-raisers and new ideas for fund raising needed.

If you can help us in any way, please either add your name and contact details to this page and hand it to one of our Core Group, or leave a message on our Helpline on 01 2751665 or email catsaid@gmail.com. Please spread the word; we can’t continue without your help.

Thank you for taking the time to read this appeal.

An update from Ann Baker

A FURTHER UPDATE FROM ANN BAKER
Another amusing update from Ann about her cats (and lizard and humans)

It’s a while since I shared the kitties’ adventures…

Throughout the warm Summer Lottie had a great time exploring the area, every road on our estate knows her, and every open back door was entered with her nosing around and getting the feel of the home. Thankfully she came home each evening; I would have felt very hurt if she didn’t. She has a wanderlust and demands to be let out each morning We have developed a sneaky trap to keep her in when she ventures home. If she sees us she gives us the run around and puts that bushy tail into the air and runs away, so her Daddy, Fred, cut one of my coasters in two, and we lodge it in the cat flap so she can enter but not leave. Sneaky I know, but at least I am more comfortable knowing she can find safety when I am not around.

Our Granddaughter is now walking, or should I say running, around and both the little ladies take a look and move to safer ground where the tails are safe. I think she has plans for Lottie’s tail, Minion’s one is a bit lacking in size and width, but even that one is kept clear of little hands. Catherine is not afraid of them at all, but I would not like to risk a paw or claw being used to defend so the distance is a great idea on behalf of the kitties.

(We endorse and emphasise the vital importance of careful supervision of children with animals.—ED.)

Minion is still a stay at home girl; she has stopped going up the wall and is very content to sit out and enjoy watching me work in the garden. At the moment both ladies are fascinated by the new bulbs being planted. Fred planted a load in the beds last week, the two ladies watched and the moment his back was turned they dug them up and played a type of snooker with them… I thought it was funny, but Daddy was annoyed and had to bury them again.  They both found nice shady areas  to cool down before they planned their next moves. Lottie was very naughty and brought in a lot of poor deceased birds. Much as I like a gift, I was not very pleased with this form, I have a bird cemetery now in the flower bed covered with rocks; they only tried to dig up the poor souls so I had to make sure there were tomb stones over each little grave.

As usual, my stairs were used as back scratchers for the resident ladies, I spent most of my time cleaning them, the next day it would be covered with hair again!! The beds are the favourite place these evenings, nice and warm and I have to be careful as Lottie is very fond of my patchwork quilt and is known to tunnel in under it and was nearly sat on a few times as she seems to be able to flatten herself out. Only we know she can be there I think she might be permanently flattened otherwise.  She was amazed at Blondie, the lizard last week as she was shedding her skin, there was a perfect lizard shape left and she was wondering where the other one had come from. She still watches the little wind dance and nearly managed to make an entry into the tank; the sliding door was open a bit and I caught her slipping her paw in to try to open it more. I hate to think what she would have done if she had managed it but maybe Blondie would be cute enough to hide behind the stones or something. They still have staring competitions with Blondie nearly always winning when she sticks her tongue out at her… the odd time she turns away as if bored with it all and shows her tail to Lottie which seems to amuse her.

Take care, and love to all the little kitties in your care, Ann

Success for Noodles

Noodles was born to a beautiful all black cat who had been living outside, heavily pregnant, just before the big snow last March. The kind woman who found her got her to Cats’ Aid.

As Noodles was the only tabby in the litter of five beautiful kittens he stood out a mile. He was always a little character; he was the last of the litter to get a forever home but as he loved his mammy that suited him down to the ground. He and all his siblings were a dream litter to look after and they all matured into lovely placid kittens that adored all human interaction. The entire litter were very sociable, helped without a doubt by my neighbours and their small children who used to drop by to play with them regularly.

We were absolutely delighted that he landed on his four paws in a super home with Suzie and Fiadh and their cat, Funny.

Fiadh, (aged 8,) takes up the story.

My kitten is called Noodles and he is almost 8 months old.   He is a tabby.  In June we got him from a lady called Sue from Cats’ Aid.   He likes to play a lot and is a bit crazy.    He always steals my Lego pieces and takes my dolls’ clothes.  Sometimes he tries to help me do my homework.   He is best friends with our other cat Funny who is 8 years old and a Lilac Point Siamese, who is also a rescue cat.

In October I took Noodles to the SABCCI and GCCFI cat show in Knocklyon.   He hissed a lot at the judges because he was a little scared but still managed to win lots of prizes – 8 rosettes in all!  At the show I was able to see lots of different breeds of cats and buy some cat toys for Noodles and Funny.    Noodles was very tired when I brought him home but he was happy to have a big sleep with Funny.

I hope Noodles will live a long and happy life with me because he makes me smile every day!

Christmas Fair

CHRISTMAS FAIR

SATURDAY 1ST DEC., 2018
IRIS CHARLES CENTRE,
NEWBRIDGE AVE, SANDYMOUNT

  12 NOON—2PM   ADMISSION €2
CHILDREN FREE AND WELCOME

 

We will have  Christmas cards, cakes ‘n bakes, Cats’ Aid merchandise, good as new, jewellery, plants, wheel of fortune and raffle.  Refreshments available.

We welcome donations of saleable goods, especially cakes and Christmas items. Could you bake for us or do you know someone who could? Items for sale can be left into the Centre on Fri. 30th Nov.. between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Collection may be possible in some cases (depending on  location).    Please phone our Helpline  (01) 6683529 by Mon. 26th Nov. to enquire about collection . (No CDs, DVDs, books, electrics, or clothes please.)

Donations to our Give a Cat a Dinner campaign are always welcome. Please bring along some dry or wet food to help us feed the many cats in our care and the colonies that are monitored on a regular basis by our dedicated volunteers.

Our Christmas Fair is our main annual fundraiser, so we really need to make this a success. We appeal for your support. Some of our regular team aren’t available, so we need people to help on the day and to clear up afterwards. Could you distribute Flyers in the Sandymount area?  If you are one of our regular volunteers or a newcomer who would like to help, please contact us by phone or email to confirm your availability.

 

    PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD;  HELP US TO HELP THE CATS.

Remember CAT — Contribute, Attend, Tell.

Black & White Cat Found Clane Aug 17th.** Owner found & reunited**

This male white and black cat was found in Clane, Co. Kildare. He is very sweet and friendly and had a collar on him but unfortunately has no microchip and was not neutered.

He seems to be missing his owners. Possibly could have travelled in a car.

Please phone 086 1536448 if you know the owner.

VHI Womens Mini Marathon

**VHI WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON**

This year’s Mini Marathon takes place on Sun. 3rd June.Entries are now open. Closing date for Nissan Car Competition 13th Apr. Final entries 18th May. No Late entries! Entry €23.

If you are participating in this great event and you would like to raise funds for Cats’ Aid please email catsaid@gmail.com for T shirts and Sponsorship Cards.

For further details see the website vhiwomensminimarathon.ie and the Facebook page Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon