LINCOLN CAT CARE
THERE IS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO BE MADE WHEN YOU HAVE A LONG TERM MISSING CAT. WHEN IT IS FOUND DO YOU BRING IT BACK TO A HOME IT HASN’T KNOWN FOR A WHILE OR IF IT’S HAPPY IN ITS NEW HOME DO YOU HAVE THE HEART TO ACCEPT THIS AND SIGN HIM OVER. REGARDLESS OF THE MORALS OF ‘ADOPTING’ SOMEONE ELSE’S PET IT’S THE WELLBEING OF THE CAT THAT’S THE PRIME PURPOSE. IT’S A HARD DECISION BETWEEN YOUR HEARTFELT DESIRE AND THE HAPPINESS OF YOUR TREASURE.
There are cat lovers and there are those who just don’t appreciate or understand the benefits and pleasure that cats bring into your life. Rescues rely on the many people who so strongly feel this passion that they are prepared to give endless time and resources to protect these treasures. True we never really own them as such and we are at their beck and call but they give us something in this modern world that is increasingly hard to come by. They give us comfort and love.
Since our group, LCC, has been in existence we have been incredibly lucky to attract a continuing band of cat lovers and they enable us to have the resources to help most of the waifs and strays that appear at a regular and alarming rate. But we never can have enough to cater for the endless ones in desperate need of someone to foster them until a suitable home is found.
Facebook has meant we are able to have a regular update available to the public, although sometimes I’m sure our ladies wish there wasn’t the volume of followers, each with that passion for anything cat related.
When we home a cat the feedback is fairly instant, photos and postings in the media and mailed to the ladies. Keeping the records I prefer to wait 3 months to ask for an update as, by then, any initial reactions will have sorted themselves. The responses to these I feature on the ‘Settled In’ pages of the website and this seems to receive a positive response.
One of the constant topics that arise is the loss of the loved cat. I know, as does any pet owner, the profound effect this has on the family and so I decided to start an ‘In Memory’ page and this too seems popular. Some like their privacy and, although they like to reply and share their memories, they do not wish them put in the public gaze.
It is possible to allow responses and comments on the website but, being a Luddite on the fast growth of media possibilities, I prefer to keep it simple and accept comments and suggestions via email. I’m always willing to adapt and accept suggestions from any cat lover out there.I have always been both astounded and gratified by the number of people out there willing to give so much to help these cats. I’m sorry if you have tried to help but your circumstances meant you were unable but we have to be so particular as we are answerable, like everyone, to the system and also making sure we do the absolute best we can for our wards. Many are at probably the lowest point and need that special person able to give the care needed.
One of the growing concerns is the high number of cats seeking treatment that is beyond the means of its owners. We have always strived to be able to help these cats whenever we were able but even the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our volunteers is being stretched to the limit. One way that owners can themselves ease this burden is Crowd Fund Raising funds on social media. This perhaps appeals to people who are animal lovers but not supportive of a particular charity and it should help to ease the strain on charities’ funds. Please try all means before appealing to a charity as there are many also in need.
I’ve started a ‘remembrance page’ for cats that are no longer with us but have impacted your life so if you’d like one to be included just select a favourite photo and a brief write up of how they enriched your life and email to HOWS YOUR CAT NOW@OUTLOOK.COM
In 2004 a group of cat lovers set up a charity which would help the cats locally in whatever way we were able. Because of the work we do people have grown to learn that we will do whatever we can and so have supported us. When funds allow we run a free neutering campaign as we believe that each unwanted kitten takes a potential home from an adult cat and female cats will wander when they start ‘calling’. Males will be very territorial and fight intruders. Many of the injuries and infections are caused by bites, either fighting or mating. We have helped numerous people, when circumstances have forced considering giving up a loved pet, by helping arrange vet treatment if needed or supply food for an interim period. Many of these homes have contributed to our funds when circumstances improved which meant we could help others.Many cats which were to be PTS because of injuries, ailments or lack of finances to pay for vet treatment that we have heard of we’ve helped and either returned to their loving family or found a new home for them to recuperate. We try to collect any reported RTAs as soon as possible so the cat does not suffer and, where possible to inform the family to give them closure. We are restricted on how quickly we are able to respond by the availability of volunteers, so if you can help please contact us by one of the ways on the ‘contacts’ page.People support our work in many ways. Giving time is one way that we cannot get enough of. There is a wide range of help you can give. Good condition items for resale, either in our shop or on ebay, are always needed. Items such as food and litter can be arranged through our facebook page or dropped into our shop if you want to help that way.
If you care about the cats locally please go to ‘contacts’ page to find out how YOU can help