 , Redefining how we rescue becomes challenging when adoptions are slow. Since we are a No KIll establishment and since cats requiring assistance are in plentiful supply we often feel as if we are gridlocked. A frustrating situation but resources and space are by necessity, finite It’s just a fact of life. Whilst cats in care continue to receive vaccinations, dentals and socialising we utilise another avenue: public requests for help. With this we can still make an astounding difference. Below are just three cases which illustrate what we have been able to do. Unfortunately if we don’t have enough committed funds as in monthly donations, even this will become difficult. Tilley was a stray who turned up in the yard of one of our Facebook followers. Having been off work due to chronic illness, this lady was struggling to look after her own financial needs. When she contacted us we told her to take Tilly to our vet for examination which revealed an estimated twelve year old cat, desexed but not chipped. Tilly had a cough. Chest xrays were done and the cough was the beginning of Pneumonia. A couple of days in hospital, a blood test and antibiotics, a drip and Tilly went home with her ‘feeder’ to live the way a twelve year old lady should in the Winter. Later Tilly had many of her teeth out and was treated for Asthma. Recently she was checked again and given a low dose of steroids. We continue to support her. Bumper was another cat who would call in for the odd feed and a chat. He was a tom cat, a status we were anxious to change but before we could even try he turned up one eveing with his mouth swollen to twice its size. He tried to ‘talk‘ to her. An out of hours vet advised euthanasia. The October long weekend in 2017 saw him admitted to our vets with a broken jaw. As usual our funds were low. There were two breaks requiring separate surgeries, one to wire the first break and one to insert a plate. Bumper became a firm favourite of the staff since he was in hospital for weeks. He was also an attention seeking cat. I would often joke about him calling out ‘nurse nurse!’ because when he came back to us at Catmint Cottage that’s exactly what occurred. He was always calling for something! Bumper was finally desexed and is now up for adoption. He’s currently being fostered but needs a second dental. Lilly was one of the saddest cases of all. Caught from a street colony on a freezing night during the coldest weeks of Winter, she was very close to death. Incredibly ill with blood poisoning from Pyometra and a ruptured uterus containing a dead fetus. Emergency surgery was performed along with all the supportive and diagnostic tests required plus hospitalisation. Lilly went home with her rescuer to be given an enormous amount of TLC. A subsequent bout of Catflu developed in to Pneumonia and Lilly was in need of extra medical help. It has taken Lilly a long time to get well. She still needs a dental. We operate in the Western suburbs of Sydney where the challenges are heavy. Donations can help us make a huge difference in every way possible. There is so much more to be done. Below is Bumper and secondly Lilly.  
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 I first heard about Miss Marple from other rescuers. MM had arrived at a crowded suburban pound where she was recorded as a senior of eight years with allergy issues. ‘Fleabitten’ was mentioned. It conjured up visions of a raggedy moth eaten cat. Obviously the cards were stacked against her when you consider the competition of young attractive adults and kittens galore. Other than being intrigued by her name I did not pay much attention. Imagination kicked in though, as it is apt to do and visions of a cat detective floated through my head. Murder investigations, following the clues, pince nez on a cat. A wise and logical mind, clever deductions made by a super intelligent and shrewd feline. I heard there was a move afoot by rescue groups to help her. A few complications evolved and the ‘save’ fell through at which point nobody expected her to make it out alive. We were full at the time, a chronic condition experienced by most rescues. There are varying degrees of full though and an empty crate seemed preferable to death. So I put my hand up to take her until something could be worked out and that was five years ago. Really! what could go wrong? When I arrived at the pound to pick her up I was told she had escaped. I thought that would be the end of that and regrettably nobody would hear of a cat called Miss Marple again. I was quite wrong though, MM was later found in the kitten section, doing, I assume, some investigative work. Obviously their menu was superior. On first sight Miss Marple appeared to be your average garden variety of tabby, a rather unremarkable feline but I’m no fool and understand that a super sleuth needs to blend in to her environment. I was however, struck by the big ears and the suspicious green eyes, no doubt essential tools of trade. There emerged another problem. MM appeared to be highly strung. There again, what super sleuth does not live on their nerves I ask? Apparently she did not at first understand this swapping of prisons and misunderstood her incarceration to be an arrest. Our next step was to get a health check so we took her to our vet. There I met a new trainee and told her about the flea allergy and possible need for Cortisone. ‘No Cortisone!!’ she said loudly, jutting her chin. ‘she get fleas from you!!’ ‘Me?’ ‘Yes! she get fleas from YOU!’ ‘From me?’ ‘She get fleas from your HOUSE!!’ ‘No, she came from the pound’ We were not off to a good start. The senior vet came in to examine her, opened her mouth and exclaimed at the brilliance of her teeth. Which toothypegs Miss Marple was getting ready to use if needs be. ‘How can she be that old and have such good teeth?’ Displaying her paperwork from the pound which gave her birth date and year, I did wonder how anyone who had her for so long could surrender her to a high kill pound. Miss Marple came home with a clean bill of health and after her quarantine period was allowed to ‘mingle’. It was around that time when I was busy in other parts of the house that I kept hearing screams from other cats. It seemed Miss Marple was addicted to crime. I came to realize that MM did not like her own species at all. Amazing really when you realize she continued to live amongst them for these past years. They, however, learned to avoid her, much like one dodges a cranky colleague in various walks of life. We planned to put her up for adoption but soon found out it would not be that simple. She appeared to have ‘characteristics’ that would not be too attractive. She loved to sit on our laps but once ensconsed there refused to move off if we needed to get up. In the early stages she simply bounced back on, we put her down, she bounced back. We had acquired a bungy jumping cat it seemed. Soon though, she developed a better technique, consisting of a blood curdling growl and a fixed maniacal stare, which she turned, glassy eyed upon the perpetrator upon whose lap she was lying. There became the need to ‘talk her down’ while one of us appealed to the other for urgent help. It was the way she hung on to vulnerable flesh with extended claws that complicated matters. Once the talons were somehow disconnected, woe betide the cat or cats in the near vicinity. Charging at them and slicing the air around their body parts like a true sword fighter because....it must be their fault! Afterwards the run with hunched back and tippy toes. A person has to laugh. Muffled of course for obvious reasons. There was playtime for her. Tearing around the carpet with her prey... a piece of paper or fluff. Once I was amazed to see her play ball with a one year old kitten. The ball was sent back and forth between them with a well judged tap on her behalf. I felt so proud of her. Miss Marple and I, we‘ve had a good relationship in spite of everything. You have to have been an outsider to understand what it feels like. These days we have headbutts together, discussions, extended talks which she loves. I once interviewed her on film. She didn’t say much but it was a bit of fun. Off camera she meows loudly with her orders and I run to fill them. There is still lap time and the talons are alive and well. Five years have passed so quickly. We continue to have ‘chats’ and sometime arguments about claw trimming, medicines, flea treatments and the like none of which she claims are requirements for a retired sleuth. Miss Marple, the spice of (my) life is a what we call a ‘sanctuary cat.’ If you would like to donate to support our work and the cats we have in care please visit: https://www.catmintcottagestreetcatrescue.com.au/donate.html  Queen sleeping it off after a concert. Not quite! Queen our boofy boy "enjoyed" a day at the "Vet Spa" getting his much needed dental, kidney check up plus manicure, ear clean and nose job. With a history of stomatitis (inflammation of gums/mouth) that hasn't cleared after his first dental, he is now a toothless chomper. I'm pretty sure that won't hold back his appetite. He had a big day followed by a good night's sleep to recover. I won't be missing his lovely fragrant breath 🤢 😂 Read more about Queen and his rescue journey with us on our website. https://www.catmintcottagestreetcatrescue.com.au/adopt-quee… Linda xo Many would look at me and say I'm a loveable boofy boy. Well, I won't dispute that! My name is Queen .. yes, that's right Queen, inspired by Freddie Mercury and his rock band ... pretty cool I think.
I wasn't in a good way when I first arrived and PTS was suggested since life with continually ulcerated, bleeding, infected and painful paws was no way for me to live, BUT with daily treatment for many months my paws have healed and have been good ever since. I had likely cancerous lesions on my nose which have since been removed thanks to all the kind people that donated to make this possible. Unfortunately, I also have other health issues that need managing. I'm on a prescription veterinary diet for urinary issues, have stomatitis (inflammation of gums/mouth) and a chronic weepy eye. I'm also FIV positive and a senior citizen so staying healthy is very important for me. UPDATE QUEEN is currently on an adoption trial. He settled right in and lapped up the attention :)  Meet Monsieur Masky. Seemed fitting to add Monsieur to his name seeing that he had grown some lovely long distinguished whiskers.
We posted about him a few months back when he came limping along to his regular nightly dinner. After a consult at the vets, it was confirmed he had an abcess on his paw and required antibiotics and time to heal. He was suppose to recover after a couple of weeks, but being FIV+, he took a lil longer - 1.5 months. During that time he was also being treated for an eye inflammation. In the meantime, Masky has enjoyed having a warm bed and regular healthy meals. He started off as a two-toned kitty - light grey on the front half and brownish on the back half. He's now evened out with a dark grey covering and brown highlights. Masky is a shy, placid cat. He's the fur-baby that's scared of loud noises and would hide under the blankets if he could. He adores affection and prefers close companionship... following me around, sits in my lap and gives me face rubs. Did I mention he'll join you for yoga too? If you would like to sponsor Masky while he is in foster care please go here : https://catmintcottagestreetcatrescue.com.au/donate.html If you would like information on Masky with a view to adopting him and would like to meet him please go here: https://www.catmintcottagestreetcatrescue.com.au/adopt.html |
© 2018 by Catmint Cottage Sydney Rescue Inc.
ABN 55694324426 is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
ABN 55694324426 is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.