HK Alley Cat Watch E-News - October 2004

TRAPPING & NEUTERING - By Marian Banaghan

Due mainly to our exposure of trap, neuter and release (TNR), we have received much interest from people who have seen colonies of cats, as well as from those who are feeding colonies, to help in trapping and neutering. As always, there are rules and regulations, and the following highlights how TNR works in Hong Kong.

Although it is perfectly legal to trap a cat, it is illegal to return it to the street outside of the SPCA’s Cat Colony Care Program (CCCP). The SPCA is open to people joining the CCCP, but many who have been in contact with us are unwilling to do so for a host of reasons, though I have to believe that the crux is that they don’t want to spend the time to make a difference.

Cats’ that are taken to the SPCA for de-sexing are also microchipped and given a routine check-up. The tip of one of their ears (right for boys, left for girls) is cut off so that they are identifiable as cats belonging to the CCC Program. Cats that are taken to private vets are not microchipped and hence, are not protected.

So far this year we have had two instances among our own colonies whereby the AFCD have issued traps to management companies after receiving complaints about the cats from residents. Thankfully, these two colonies belong to the CCC Program and as such are protected which led to intervention on their behalf by the AFCD and the SPCA. Both colonies are in tact with none of the cats ending up in government kennels.

We cannot stress enough the importance of TNR as it tackles the problem, namely the reduction in the number of cats living on our streets. Additionally, it avoids the premature death of de-sexed street cats. To make a difference in this life a little effort is essential and if everyone involved in some shape or form with animal welfare went that extra mile, it would go a long way to making a huge difference to the cat street population.

A Happy Outcome for one first time Mummy

This might sound like a contradiction, as after all we at HK Alley Cats advocate TNR, but there is always the exception. Towards the end of September I trapped a heavily pregnant female who up until a few days before I thought was a male (yes, even the professionals get it wrong). What was interesting is that this cat is nearly 2 years old and that it took this long for her to get pregnant, which is no doubt thanks to our TNR efforts.

Anyhow, I happened to call Michelle to let her know that I had successfully trapped Mummy and that there wouldn’t be another litter from this colony. Well as most of you know, I tackle the street cat problem at its core and Michelle handles everything else. In a nutshell I drew the long straw. Because I happened to ring Michelle this time around before I set off for the SPCA, she came to meet me and Mummy Cat and decided there and then to take Mummy home with her so that she could have her first and last litter in comfort. Mummy gave birth three days later.

Although we now have 5 more little darlings to find homes for we are both tickled pink that we have been able to give these innocents a chance at life. As for Mummy, she will be heading to the SPCA around the end of this month for de-sexing before being returned to her colony. Feral to the core, the street will forever be her home.

Reasons to Neuter your Pet

It's Good for You, Your Pet, and the Community

Prevent A Litter - It's Good for You

Spayed and neutered pets are better and more affectionate, companions.
Neutered cats are less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates its heat cycle, which can last twenty-one days, twice a year, in dogs, and anywhere from three to fifteen days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat often cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.

Prevent a Litter - It's Good for Your Pet

Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.
Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
Neutered animals are less likely to roam and fight.

Prevent A Litter - It's Good for the Community

Communities spend millions of dollars to control and eliminate unwanted animals. Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks. Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.

The Dog Hause

Click on this link to read top ten excuses for people not neutering their animals. This is targetted at dogs but is an interesting read - http://www.bark.8k.com/10worst.html

Amazing Cat Stories from Our Doorstep

One of our HK Alley Cat Family Member's Kelly adopted a FIV positive cat Ginger ultimately saving her life. She decided to add another FIV cat to her clan and was taking the necessary precautions of keeping both cats separated for a few days until they got used to each others scents. Would you believe that Meow Meow as he was fondly known managed to unlock one of the windows and push it open, luckily Kelly lives on the ground floor. Kelly was devastated when she found Meow was missing, and we'd been keeping an eye out for him in the area but to no avail. Amazingly 3/4 days later, I got a call from Ally who'd rescued Meow Meow initially said he'd managed to find his way back home (a street near Pokfulam Road), which is a good 10 minutes walking distance from Kelly's flat. Meow Meow is going to be returned back to Kelly's where the windows will be fully secured and where Meow Meow's days of wanderlust are ended.

Amazing Cat Stories from Across the Globe

Speedy's Story

Another amazing story of people who have not given up hope and provided an innovative approach to caring for him by constructing a wheelchair for him. Speedy was found living in a hedge with his mum who had already moved her siblings when they hedge was being trimmed but was too late to get to Speedy. The people who found him kept him in a cardbox box overnight on a table when they stumbled across him (his mum under the table, refusing to leave his side). When they returned the next morning as they pondered what to do with the kitten, they perhaps expected he wouldn't survive the night but he was very much alive. They realised that he had little movement in his hind legs but apart from that was a blue eyed adoring kitten. He was taken to a clinic by an animal welfare group where he was examined by a vet who knew this kitten was physically challenged, but not giving up hope. Dr Jeszenka constructed a cart made out of toy carts fo! r the rear end of Speedy's body. Speedy is now on his 3rd cart and his growth is following normal patterns and he's very much accustomed to his added body part! I hope this story inspires people to not give up hope when they find a kitten that has a disability. We all deserve a chance at life, and this story proves it.. To read more about Speedy visit his website: http://www.geocities.com/speedykitten/story.html

Our Foster Connection

Helena Chung with Tiger

We would like to acknowledge and thank our regular fosters Helena Chung & Fiona Redman who have been a great help to us in homing cats in the recent months. We'd also like to give a mention to Gemma Whiting who helped us home a Mum cat and her sibling. As you know we don't have boarding facilities, all the kittens are fostered and usually adopted out from our homes and on occasion they will be adopted our from our nearby clinics when they have the availability. Despite our fairly limited but trusty network we have been able to home many cats.

HOMING - By Michelle Temple

Final time homing en-masse on behalf of irresponsible owners

2 of the cats have already been homed, with the others awaiting adoption, please visit our Adoption Gallery to see more pictures of the remaining cats. Unfortunately one of the cats that was adopted out was found to be pregnant (we had no idea ourselves), the kittens were subsequently aborted.Another young cat which Fiona is fostering was found to have Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), common in males, it's something that he's probably had a while; crystals have built up causing inflammation in his urethra. He is now undergoing IV fluids and has a urinary catheter placed in his urethra to help the flow of urine.

We haven't given him a name yet, but were thinking about Rudolph?

He may have had this for a while and the stress of being moved may have triggered off the symptoms. We are hoping that the treatment works and although he will have to be on a special diet, we are hoping to find him a good home. He is costing us a small fortune, but hopefully if he makes it it'll be worth it. If you would be interested in visiting him please contact me direct michelle@hkalleycatwatch.com

Preventative Measures

As males are usually the ones that are suspectible to this disease (although females can get this too), you can take preventive measures by ensuring that your cat is not overweight, has access to fresh water, litter tray is kept clean and has moistened (wet/canned) food as well as biscuits. Also ensure that your cats are drinking enough water. I must admit that I've always given my cats both canned & dried food, I've come across a number of people who seem to only give their cats dried (but I know my cats love their wet food more than their dry). If you have male cats it would be wise to give them some wet food as well (i'm not a vet by any means, so please talk to your vet about special dietary needs for your own cats), as they all differ. I know this is a fairly common disease as another friend of mine's cat had early signs of this disease, but thankfully she caught it in time and I believe her cat is fine now! . If your cat is spending lots of time in the cat litter and unable to urinate, perhaps it's wise to visit your vet now.

Cats in the Work Place

Having cats in the workplace could be a good move if the future of the cat is guaranteed and the cat is in no danger. We've had a couple of cases of cats being adopted for the workplace, usually I would shun this idea, but after talking with the potential adoptees I was very receptive to the idea. I would much rather give a cat a chance which would originally prove to be a difficult cat to home. The cats of course would need to be neutered (this makes no difference to their rat or coachroach catching skills), but most importantly despite whatever reasons cats are adopted for the workplace, the main thing is that the cat remains part of the workplace family and is responsibly taken care by a guardian if the company should close for any such reason. Recently our friendly street cat Telly Tubby who broke her leg ! is being fostered by Rebecca & Maggy their workplace JA Reality.

Grateful thanks to Rebecca & Maggy, we've popped in a few times to see Telly Tubby and she's doing really well and loves mooching under Rebecca's desk.

Some of our Recent Successful Adoptions

At HK Alley Cat Watch we do take in a lot of kittens that would ordinarily be put to sleep. They usually have viruses, so they do take a lot of time and effort to get back to a healthy state. All in all, it's a gratifying experience when they are nursed back to health and eventually go to wonderful homes as it makes it all the more rewarding. Please take a look at some of the families who have recently adopted from us. There are many more that unfortunately we don't have photos of. So please feel free to send in your picture of you & your adopted cat if we haven't posted it on our website already to michelle@hkalleycatwatch.com.

Sealion our wonderful long haired older cat. It was love at first sight for the Reynolds family who have taken him on to accompany their other cat Inkee and their two kids. Sealion seems to be adjusting very well and the family have fallen in love with him. What a fabulous success! ... Bani rescued two premature kittens the week before, but unfortunately both kittens died.

Suewan & Daniel had originally only considered adopting one kitten, but after thoughtful research and careful consideration, they came to the wonderful conclusion that two kittens would be just as nice as one. They are extremely happy with Squidge & Tipsy, who were very attached from the outset.

Anna & Alex adopted Buddha & Bob, they've settled in well after an initial couple of early hiccups. Buddha apparently likes to bite Bob's neck when they are sleeping (lovely!), so he's always got a wet bald patch under his chin, poor kitty!

Elsie who last month adopted the extremely affectionate Nookie. Nookie has settled in very well to her new home. Nookie was adopted as a friend for Elsie's original cat. Both cats are getting along very well and cuddle up together.

Better to Adopt Two Kittens - Testimonial From a HK Alley Cat Family Member

"... I will try & send you some more photos, they haven’t gotten much bigger but they get more loving and adorable every day. We are so very attached to them it’s a bit sad really!

I couldn’t recommend taking two from the same litter more, they have so much fun together and must sit & snooze together all the time, they’re not interested in being away from each other, even on the sofa!

They really are so loving and I’d swear they talk to us (I know, I know). I think hand rearing makes a real difference, I have never known cats like them, such characters".

Please visit our Adoption Gallery to view more cats & kittens needing loving homes.