NEWSLETTER / May- June 2011
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Welcome to our May/June newsletter - read on for lots of interesting tidbits from the trust and if you are interested in subscribing please email Cathy at owens@nznet.co.nz. :)


Thumbelina's Story

You may have heard that little Thumbelina has died. The first eight weeks of a kittens life is the crucial period when they recieve the colostrum from their mothers milk. If the mothers immune system is lacking as it does if mother has litter after litter. It is known as "Fading Kitten Syndrome" not unlike "Cot Death" in humans. If you google Fading Kitten Syndrome you will find lots of information.

Adoptions and Incoming

ADOPTED: Edward and Pixel now have forever homes.
Congratulations and all the best for a happy life.

INCOMING: Iona and Fidget are back from their foster homes and are now ready for adoption. (Pictured below L-R: Iona, Fidget)

Iona and Fidget

VOLUNTEERS

Welcome to our new volunteers, thank you for offering to help us. We hope you enjoy your time with us and have many enlightening experiences. It is wonderful to have younger members to help and we will assist you all we can to further your quest for knowledge of animal husbandry.

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STOP PRESS

We are launching our brand of merchandise consisting of hand knitted cat toys, beanies, printed christmas cards and bookmarks. Look out for "Sonic's Paw of Approval".


FUNDRAISING:

Funds are being amplified by the BBQ at Animates at Manukau and we are grateful for their co-operation. Also thanks to Mitre 10 Megga in Takanini where we are booked to have a BBQ on the 29th of May.

If anyone has contacts with businesses who would take our collection tins please let Cathy know (owens@nznet.co.nz) and we will arrange for their delivery and collection on a bi-monthly basis.

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Cat competition

PHOTO COMPETITION:

We are up an running with the photo competition. Just a small number, but fun and interesting just the same. Entries have now closed and on-line voting has begun. Judges will make their decision after 22nd May and we will be letting the winners know shortly after that. Watch our website. Thank you for all who have entered and good luck.

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Sonics Paw of Approval

Sonic was born at the cattery in 2006 to a rescued pregnant black cat from Otara. She gave birth to four polydactyl kittens. Miss Paddlefoot (22 claws) had cat flu and but was adopted and her story is on our website.

Sonic remained and it was then we became aware when he was 6months old that there was something wrong. His balance was not good and he kept bobbing his head. It was cerebella hypoplasia. Similar to cerebral palsy in humans.

“There are several bacterial infections and viral infections such as feline panleukopenia, caused by feline parvovirus, that can result in the disorder in both cats and dogs. How-ever, the disease can also be caused by malnutrition, poisoning, injury or general acci-dents during development in the foetus.” - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

“A disabled cat can still lead a full and enjoyable life, given a chance and an under-standing owner. Cats adapt their lifestyles to cope with disability far more easily than do most humans - this is because they are often willing to spend much of their time resting! The virus affects the cerebellum area of the brain, an area involved in fine mo-tor control. Typical symptoms are poor co-ordination, gait abnormalities and percep-tion. Affected cats are wobbly and uncoordinated (variable degrees from wobbly through to unable to walk) and have characteristic head tremors which are evident when they try to focus on something (e.g. a bird). It often looks as though their body goes the opposite of what they are telling it to do, or one part goes in one direction while the other tries to head off elsewhere! They adapt to these challenges, but will al-ways be clumsy and may be nervous or unsure of themselves in new situations. Barring any accidents caused by their un-coordination, their life expectancy doesn't seem to be affected and given a safe environment, they live as long as unaffected cats and seem little troubled by their condition.”
LIVING WITH A DISABLED CAT Copyright 1994,2003 Sarah Hartwell (abridged)

Sonic has 25 claws and is the Mascot for our merchandise we are presenting. Cat coats, hand knitted beanies and berets, cat toys. Cat beds and blankets. Cards and bookmarks will all have Sonic’s Paw of Approval.


QUOTE OF THE MONTH “The smallest feline is a masterpiece” - Leonardo Da Vinci