click for cats and kittens needing new homes Cats/Kittens for rehoming
 
 
  Latest News updated 7/8/2008
FIV

more information

 

We are alarmed to hear that more and more cat rescues and similar organisations including some veterinary practices seem to be using the FIV test as an excuse to euthanase stray cats. WE DO NOT CONDONE THIS!. Usually we will take in the cats as they are, neuter them if necessary and isolate them if appropriate to assess them for behaviour and illness. If your cat or a stray cat is ever tested positive for FIV, please do not be instantly persuaded to put the cat to sleep unless the cat is obviously suffering.

Don't take our word for it...go to the website of the "original cat action trust" where Maureen Hutchinson BSc BVMS MRCVS Cert Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling has written a very informative article about FIV. She has kindly given us permission to link to her article which we will hope will help you make an informed and balanced decision at what is a very difficult time. Homeopathy may also be able to help with both FIV and other feline diseases.

 

SHOP now OPEN! We now have a little shop - the CAT CABIN on site where you can pick up a bargain - books, bric-a-brac, ornaments and other quality items at fantastic prices! Plus we are always available to talk about our cats.

Please ring to make sure we are in before you make a special journey - we would hate to miss you.

 

Did you know that…
Neutering your cat is the ‘right’ and responsible thing to do. There are organisations who are willing to provide financial assistance in meeting some / all of the cost of getting your cat neutered (Contact Mark / Stella for further information). Neutering a cat will cost you around £30-£50. This is a tiny fraction of the cost of caring for a pregnant cat and her many litters. It is also much less than the vet bills you could face if your un-neutered cat contracts one of the many diseases entire cats are at risk from. If you haven’t got pet insurance for your cat and are ever landed with a vet’s bill at a time when you can least afford it, the vast majority of vets will let you pay in instalments.


Girl cats can have three litters a year (typically 3 -7 kittens per litter); resulting in weakness, thinness and often ill-health. In her lifetime, a single female cat and her offspring can be responsible for around 50 million kittens.

This may seem like a ridiculously high number but consider the facts: a cat can breed from about 4 months of age, a female cat can have 4 litters a year, a single litter usually contains up to 7 kittens, when each of those kittens is 4 months it too can breed etc.
The figure for tom cats is impossible to estimate because there are no limits as to the number of females a single tom can impregnate.

 

If you're thinking of getting a cat or kitten then go to an animal rescue, (we are always happy to help) and we will advise you on all aspects of caring for your pet. But here are a few practical thoughts:

 

From birth to around 3 /4 weeks kittens get all their dietary requirements off ‘mum’; so it is essential that she gets the best of everything – forget ‘eating for two’ she’s ‘eating for (typically) three to five’!!!!

From about 3/4 weeks kittens will need to have extra food provided by their human helpers. Kittens have tiny tummies and need to be fed ‘little and often’ generally around a teaspoon of tinned kitten food / cooked chicken (no skin or bones) / cooked fish twice a day in addition to the milk provided by mum puss.

By eight weeks, they will need to be fed 6 – 8 times per day, typically consuming around 200 grams of kitten food per day in addition to the milk supply still being provided by mum puss. Kittens should also have access to a shallow container of fresh clean water at all times.

At 10 / 12 weeks mum puss will be becoming fed-up with the demands her babies are making on her for milk and will start to wean them. (At this time she is also preparing to come into season again if not neutered). Consequently the babies will need 250 / 350 grams of kitten food per day divided between 4 meals.

Follow this advice, and behave responsibly in terms of regular worming, neutering and

vaccination and you can usually look forward to the pleasures and pressures of being owned by your kitten for the next 15 years!!!

 

reproduced by kind permission of Oakwood Veterinary Centre.

Contact: 01691 679699
 

 

Local Car Boot Sales These are regular events and more often than not we will have our stall. Come and get some bargains - of course we always take good quality, clean items to sell on either on  our stall or in our new shop - The Cat Cabin at Argae Cottage.

 

 
 
  © Copyright 2007 The Old Cat People. All Rights Reserved. Design by cameron furnival