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.