21st december
What's been happening at Cats at the Mill?? - lots. I am really happy to let you all know that Billy and Tiny were rehomed this week. It has taken time to find exactly the right home I was desperate they lived in a rural environment particularly because Billy is slightly manic at times. So Thursday morning they were collected by their new owners and already we have received photographs of The Boys enjoying themselves - even Tiny is playing. We trapped Daisy, the mum, and 5 kittens on the 18 June obviously they had been dumped. So we had The Boys, from 5-week-old kittens rehoming them aged 9 months was a real wrench and something one never gets used to. Between you and I - I had one of my unprofessional goodbyes!
We have also had new arrivals Molly and Ned - 7 year old brother and sister your classic "Felix" markings. Molly has come to terms with life, but currently Ned is still swearing and feeling very upset, but at least this evening was the first time he actually emerged from under the bedding. They were much loved pets and will need to be rehomed together.
So Christmas at the Mill we virtually have a full house - our 3 little strays Maud, Penny and Tyson (Bob) have settled in well. I have spent the past couple of evenings sitting with them and they just come across as really gentle loving lap cats. Having said that Maud feels and acts like the Matriarch of the Group. She likes sitting on my lap with her paws either side of my face and periodically licking me. Penny is desperate to climb aboard, but one withering look from Maud she quickly moves on, and Tyson (Bob)? Well being a guy he just knows his place in life! So come the New Year we will be looking for 3 owners who specifically want a lap cat.
We still have our gorgeous l/h Black Emmy cantankerous and very much in charge, but she makes us smile. There is no give or take we are expected to take her as we find her!
Our beautiful Smokey was neutered last week and it was a particularly difficult op so she is still feeling sorry for herself.
We also have poor old Pete (who actually is young Pete!!! he's only 3 years old) who has been with us now for two Christmases and still not found his forever home. He is crossing his paws that 2021 will be his lucky year to find his perfect family.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the food donations. It has been wonderful several have had cats from me way back and have turned up to help us which I really appreciate. I hope you all have the best possible Christmas and look after each other not taking chances. I will be here having lots of cuddles from my gorgeous feline friends. Sandy
5th december
We have had a busy week currently all 11 pens have occupants, but it is our newest Guests I thought I would let you know about. This week I received a phone call from a member of the public. For the past few months she has been feeding and caring for 3 cats. She did all the usual checks with neighbours, paper collars, micro-chip etc but was unable to find an owner. So the 3 cats were allowed in for warmth at night and food but the lady could not afford to permanently care for them. So she did the right thing and contacted one of the UK's largest cat welfare charities to explain her predicament. As always these type of calls go through to a Call Centre and she was informed the Charity did not take in Ferals?? This always surprises me why does someone answering a phone assume they are Ferals? Do they have X-Ray Eyes that enable then to see the cats to make this false assumption?
So the next port of call was Cats at the Mill I do not have this prejudice against ferals, but having spoken to the woman made an educated guess these were probably unwanted pets who had become strays. I agreed to take them and my guests arrived. A middle-aged Tabby Girl who was obviously the matriarch of the Group. A Back/White boy who was quite willing to take backseat and a sweet little middle-aged Torti. Next morning it was obvious Torti had an eye problem later diagnosed by the Vet as dermatitis so on 4hrly drops. Tabby Girl appears to have an issue with her mouth booked into Vets for a dental. Black/White Boy appears to be hail and hearty but only a guess as he permanently hides.
So these ex-much loved pets are not feral and a small Rescue such as Cats at the Mill are caring for cats and paying for whatever treatment they need. Obviously the National Charity have lost their way and are too ready to assume cats needing help are ferals. The sad part is that they have enormous funds behind them whereas Rescues such as us are self funding and hope for donations to help us care for these cats who fall by the wayside.