ST (29-9-08)

Thanks to Chinky and eslina for sending this letter about this man's experience with the SPCA. It seems to me that the SPCA in this case probably was going to release the cat to him. Interestingly, our old friend Tan Tuan Khoon somehow tried to make this an argument about cats though it was so disjointed, I couldn't quite follow the logic. He also claimed I said cats couldn't be toilet trained - when what I explained was that cats are naturally toilet trained, and aren't like dogs in that essence. I also have no idea what toilet training kits for cats in pet shops are.

There were a lot of nice articles about animals, including an ASD article in the press on Saturday - unfortunately they cannot be accessed unless you have a Straits Times account.

Pet Vet

Quite a lot of people often wonder if their animals needs to go to the vet, or what is wrong with their cats or dogs. It is almost impossible of course to diagnose over the phone or via email, but this website seems to give you some idea of what may be wrong before you head to the vet.

TNP (24-9-08)

Thanks to Chinky for sending this in. It's very kind of these two individuals to have taken the dogs in - and not at all unusual. I know of many caregivers who have had cats boarded because they couldn't take them in. Unfortunately, there are many other animals that weren't as lucky - even in the first case, it seems likely that all the dogs in the park were rounded up. Instead of counting on the compassion of individuals like these, the only way to guarantee the safety of animals is to run a TNRM programme - AND for the rules to change to allow animals a safe place in our communities if they are properly cared for.

ST (24-9-08)

A way to determine if the defecation really belongs to a community cat or someone's pet dog? Of course if it is a community cat - then steps can be taken to ensure that it doesn't defecate just anywhere.

Today (22-9-08)

I'm glad to see an MP suggesting publicly that residents who have problems with each other talk it out rather than go to the authorities. Thanks to Chinky for sending this in.

Working together

Some caregivers recently copied me on an email because pest control had been sent down to one of the caregiver's areas. It seems that the TC officer had recently been changed and someone new was there. In addition, when the caregivers saw the pest control on site, they approached the pest control personnel, who were seen wearing the uniform of one of the pest control companies. The pest control personnel then apparently claimed to be from NEA!

What I was impressed by was that the caregivers were not taken in by this, and one of them immediately wrote to the TC for clarification (the officer so far has been giving rather unsatisfactory answers to this one caregiver). Even more impressive though, was the fact that the other caregivers in the area also chimed in with their dissatisfaction. They wrote to query why the TC had done this, and wanted to get some answers even though their areas weren't affected directly during this occasion. I am pretty sure they will get a response to their concerted efforts.

It's this willingness to work together - and the fact that they are not isolationist in their approach (ie I only care about my cats in MY area) that makes this group so effective. If every group could work similarly, then the cats will be truly protected. Squabbles among caregivers really should have no place in dealing with the TC - if a united front cannot be presented, then why would the TC work with anyone in the area?

Complain again

I can't believe it - but this woman apparently wrote to CWS again. And she repeated the same complaints ad nauseum. Apparently, she has a son who is quite seriously ill, and is in and out of hospital, for which I truly am sympathetic. However her grouse is with her mother in law. Her mother in law cares for some of the community cats in the neighbourhood - to make sure they don't have additional areas of contention, she even leaves the food OUTSIDE the house in a cupboard. Still the daughter in law is unhappy - she has again written to the MP, the TC and everyone else. The last time I spoke with the TC, they also agreed it was a family dispute.

The woman refuses mediation and just wants to complain to everyone. I wonder if it's a ploy to get rid of her mother-in-law, whom she doesn't seem to be very happy with.

Feeding despite the consequences

It's not just people who sometimes feed cats without considering the consequences, like leaving food upstairs, and luring them into areas where the cats will be complained about - some people apparently do it with bears. While I don't agree that the bear should have been shot, feeding the bear in this case, jeopardises its life - and yet the feeder didn't stop. Sounds familiar to many of us.

Dog saves owner

And they say animals are dumb.

Dewey

Dewey, originally uploaded by dawnkua.

I read this lovely book over the last few days. It's about a little cat that was found dumped in a bookdrop of a library on the coldest night of the year and how he became not just the library's mascot, but the town's symbol.

Dewey wasn't an extraordinary cat in that he didn't do special tricks or save babies from burning buildings - but he did have a huge capacity for love and that was what set him apart. He eventually became famous all over the world and brought fame to his town of Spencer, Iowa.

It's an easy read and a heartwarming book about how a cat (and a small kindness) can change lives - and especially the life of Vicki Myron who wrote the book about him.

A big thank you to Anna from Hachette Book Group who sent me the book to review.

Spay Day

Good to hear CWS is having another Spay Day this year at the end of October - do spread the word to caregivers who may need the slots!

Prosthetics for animals

This is a very interesting post on prosthetics for animals and what can be done now. It would give a lot of animals a new lease on life.

Worrying track record

It is worrying that new US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin seems to have a record that scares most environmentalists and people concerned about animal welfare. Even more worrying, according to her friends on this video, she doesn't care for cats - this is a long video, skip to 5:25.

WWF Ball

Thanks to yskat for sending this in. Looks like it's going to be a very gala affair.

Grants

Here's an article about the animal protectors' grants that were handed out yesterday. It's good to know that there is now some money available locally for groups to spend on welfare initatives.

New Swiss laws

Interesting new laws in Switzerland on animal welfare.

Strawberry headed cat

Just something amusing :-

Strawberry headed cat

ST (3-9-08)

It's a little worrying how many of the comments in this forum post seem to be about how it isn't a big deal about bringing a whale shark into the Integrated resorts. ACRES and SPCA have been very vocal about their disagreement to this ill conceived idea.

Firstly, a whale shark isn't a 'pet' in any sense of the word. Secondly, even if the argument is that people want to see the whale shark up close, this isn't a zoo. Arguably zoos do have an important role to play - in conservation and also in allowing people to see animals up close. This is a commercial entity that is basically bringing in a novelty - what happens when the novelty is gone? Thirdly, a tank cannot replicate the shark's natural environment. When entertainment takes precedence over life and dignity, it makes one wonder.

Alley Cat Allies: Targeted Trapping - Step by Step

Here's an interesting video from ACA on trapping - obviously not everything is applicable to Singapore (and it would be very difficult to get so many traps at one time) but there are some good pointers.