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| Stratford Dog Warden Cats Protection Jane Dexter at Rabbit Rescue Karen Smith, Rugby Dog Warden |
Animal House People
Interview with the Cats Protection
What inspired you to work for Cats Protection?
Love of cats, of course, and realising how important it was that Rugby had its own branch, back in 2004.
Are all Cats Protection workers volunteers?
All our branch volunteers are just that. Most work as well. Staff are employed at CP HQ, however.
Where do you get money from to help the cats?
Apart from a small discretionary grant from HQ, Rugby Branch has to raise all its own funds. No fundraising, no branch!
Are more volunteers needed?
Always. Roles vary from the hands on cat related jobs, to admin roles. See our website http://rugby.cats.org.uk for a current list of volunteers that we require. We always require fundraisiers however.
What is a typical Cats Protection volunteer's day?
Go to work, if working. Then either check emails or answerphone messages and get down to the CP business eg returning calls, contacting committee members or other volunteers, going out to check on or collect cats, writing letters, arranging homings and viewings...
Roles of one of our volunteers couples include:
add cats to website, take cats off website, put events on website, take
Helpline calls, record Helpline calls, field Helpline volunteer
questions, call people back, offer advice, work on updating the cat
waiting list from the Helpline calls, send details out to waiting list
chasers, process pictures for website, write cat descriptions for
website, go out to take pictures for the website, every 3 months do the
Newsletter, etc., etc.... A highly variable list!
What is the most important aspect of your work?
Currently, it would probably be neutering. Rugby is awash with unwanted cats and kittens, and also has a growing feral cat problem, which can only be tackled by neutering. Then, re-homing of unwanted cats and kittens, and education of the public.
Does each volunteer have a different task?
Yes. Roles we always need to cover include: Co-ordinator, treasurer, secretary, neutering officer, Lost and Found Officer (WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF), Website manager, Newsletter editor, Helpline Message Volunteers, Welfare Officer, Homing Officer, Fundraisers – again, we always need those, PR Officer, Recruitment Officer and lots of other roles. See our website http://rugby.cats.org.uk for a current list of vacancies.
What is your opinion on the importance of neutering?
Absolutely vital. Has so many health benefits and must be done to limit the cat population of the UK. We are currently running a free neutering campaign at all of the vets in Rugby, so take advantage of this and have your cat neutered!
How many cats do you see carrying diseases?
Thankfully, not too many. We always have cats health checked. The most common problems are fleas and worms, which are easily treated.
Why do you think there are so many unwanted cats?
Lack of neutering and people not understanding the responsibilities of taking a cat on as a pet. Costs also feature, as vets bills are so expensive, so we recommend pet insurance.
Are feral cats as important as domestic cats?
Feral cats lead different lives to domestic cats. We cannot rehome adult ferals or kittens past a certain age, as this is not appropriate. All we can do is trap them, neuter them and have their health checked, then return them to their "patch". Sometimes we need to relocate some groups to
farms/smallholdings/stables if we can find people who want them. Please call the helpline (01788) 570010 if you can take a group of feral cats.
Why does Cats Protection home visit prospective cat adopters?
Must ensure that potential adopters are clear about what owning a cat entails. We want to meet the potential adopters, see where our cats are going to be living and discuss with them what it means to own a cat. We need to check that homes are suitable for a cat(s) and that we can match the right
cat to the right home and people.
Are there any other official organisations who help with cats in need in Warwickshire?
RSPCA, PDSA and see CatChat website for Warwickshire links (and much else) http://www.catchat.org/adoption/warks.html
What number of Cats has your branch helped in the past year?
Rugby CP has rehomed approximately 113 cats and kittens, including 30 from our neighbouring CP branches. 185 free neuterings also.
Are you short of funds?
We put every penny of donations directly towards our work caring for cats and kittens in the Rugby area.
As quickly as we fundraise, we can find ways to spend this money on worthy cat causes.
If I wanted a cat from Cats Protection what should I do?
Telephone the helpline on (01788) 570010. Leave your name, address and contact number and one of our volunteers will call you to discuss.
Look at the website http://rugby.cats.org.uk to see the cats who currently (some urgently) need a loving new home.
What makes a good cat owner?
Someone prepared to spend time with their cat playing, grooming, feeding a balanced diet, caring for its health with regular flea and worm treatment, keep vacinations up to date, neutering and concern for general health issues are just some of the things a good owner would want to provide.
What makes a bad cat owner?
Someone who doesn't understand about a cat’s needs and doesn't really care.
Any advice to cat breeders?
Only breed according to demand.
What does Cats Protection adoption fee pay for?
This is a suggested donation when people adopt a cat from Rugby Branch.
It goes towards, but does not cover, vet check, de-fleaing, de-worming, first round of vaccinations, microchipping, neutering and 6 weeks Pet Plan Insurance.
If someone notices a stray or abused cat what should they do?
See our website under the lost and found section for detailed advice on this matter.
What could we all do to make the Cats Protection's role easier?
Have your cat neutered, and do not take on a cat unless you are sure you can cater for its needs responsibly.
What are the main aims of Cats Protection?
We have three main objectives :-
1. To rescue, rehabilitate and re-home stray and unwanted cats and kittens.
2. To encourage the neutering of cats not required for breeding.
3. To educate the public about the care of cats and kittens.
See: http://rugby.cats.org.uk/index.asp?m=wwd
If you've adopted a cat and not had it neutered within the reasonable time frame, what happens?
It may well become pregnant, if female, or father many kittens, if male. These may well end up unwanted, unloved and homeless.
It is never too late to have a cat neutered, however, so book your cat into your local vet and get it done!