Malta & Gozo - Islands of Cats with new Book Cover

To better illustrate the true purpose of 'Malta & Gozo - Islands of Cats', we have created a new book cover for the print-on-demand paperback as well as the Kindle/Ebook edition. 

The new cover shows one of our own photographs of Valletta and Upper Barrakka across the Grand Harbour from a position at the end of the pier Xatt Il-Forn at the Vittoriosa Yacht Marina, putting the picturesque watch tower perched on top of Fort St. Angelo's bastion into perspective. 

We also posted the cut-out from a shot of a cat colony being fed prominently into the center of the book cover, supported by the book's sub-title 'The Humble Stray Cat Carers of the Maltese Islands'. We hope you like it.

The hardcover edition still comes with Maltese sculptor Matthew Pandolfino's statue in its original look from 2015/2016. If you prefer this colourful, elegant edition, hurry, it will not be reprinted.

Famous Cat Village in St Julian's, Malta, under Attack

A public representation has been submitted online by the blog author Gabriele today to object against the construction plans of the owners of the Portomaso complex in St Julian's, Malta, to exploit the last small piece of land at the corner of their huge development, which will consequently lead to the destruction of the famous Cat Village - one of many cat colonies more than 1'000 individuals in Malta and Gozo take care of. Objections can still me submitted until May 31 (http://www.mepa.org.mt/, PA/01735/16). Below my text:

Dear Sir, dear Madam

I would like to object to this construction, as it will destroy the "Cat Village". The place is not only a refuge for stray and abandoned cats living in the area (a consequence of irresponsible pet owners chucking unwanted and un-neutered pet cats into the street over years), but has also become a tourist attraction with regular fans as far away as Japan and the US.

The "founder" of the cat village, Mrs. Rosa Sammut, has passed away in the Noughties (not to confuse with her devoted successor's similar name). Rosa Sammut was appointed Senior of the year 2000 by then Prime Minister Fenech Adami  for her work with the Cat Village (see photographs » here). The Cat Village has truly become a landmark in St. Julian's, and can be found in many tour guide books and has many mentions on the web.

Malta's shelters are bursting with abandoned animals. Cats cannot just be "replanted" to somewhere else. They are territorial animals. And who is going to feed them and pay for their food if relocated? Malta and Gozo have more than 1,000 individuals who not only pay for cat food but also cover veterinary costs incl. spaying and neutering primarily out of their own pockets. It is their quiet work that keeps the cat population in Malta limited!

Destroying the Cat Village will, once again, push a public issue into the hands of the private sector. And this is not only unfair for the cats, but also for the community of volunteer cat carers.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

Fat Cats on a Diet: Will They Still Love You?

New York Times 16 February 2016: Maya has had a tough time slimming down. After 16 months of dieting, she’s dropped 10 pounds and 6 ounces.

True, that’s more than 40 percent of her body weight.

 At her heaviest, the domestic shorthair cat tipped the scale at 24.9 pounds. She looked like a furry Pilates ball.

The decision to lose weight was not Maya’s; it was her owners’, Larissa and Doug Peluso, of Eatontown, N.J. Maya’s mobility was decreasing: She could no longer jump on their bed, and they knew she might be suffering from joint pain and facing diabetes. Their vet said they had to help her regain her feline figure.

Still, they hesitated. If they reduced portions... read on.

Newsletter #1: Support us to get 'Islands of Cats' translated and printed - and receive your personal copy

There are many books about cats on the market - but no publication has ever been dedicated to the quiet work of stray cat carers in the Maltese Islands. 

Probably more than one thousand persons of all walks of life not only keep the many stray cat colonies well-fed, but also provide veterinary support and by neutering keep the population limited. A unique phenomena to Malta and Gozo, these feral cats are in top condition and no burden for the environment and the community. Au contraire, visitors to the tourist centers of the Islands speak in favour of the furry Maltese.

Written by Alexander Johnson and photos/design by Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer, an interesting photo-story book is on its way portraying the valuable work of these devoted, volunteer stray cat carers. To keep all rights inhouse, this book will be published by Johnson and Ruttloff directly. All carer chapters and accompanying stories are well on its way, translations in Maltese and other languages to be started soon, and last but not least the printing process of Islands of Cats. This doesn't come for free, and Johnson and Ruttloff have started a crowdfunding campaign - to be rewarded by a signed copy.

 
» Read Islands of Cats Newsletter of Feb 7

» Visit the Funding Campaign on Kickstarter

Your contribution is important, as part of the book's proceeds will be donated to give much needed aid to the carers, who cover all food, veterinary and neutering expenses out of their own pockets.

Thank you very much for your consideration !!

Bum, the cat with worried eyes

Bum was brought  to a shelter in San Diego when he was just four weeks old, and immediately captured everyone’s heart with his worried expression. But don't fret—this cross-eyed tabby has already become part of a family!

Bringing Your New Cat Home

Congratulations! You have a new cat. No doubt you're looking forward to years of happy companionship. But what do you do now?

This informative video from Singapore’s SPCA should give you some helpful tips.

Video: 7 Things You May Not Realize About Your Cat

Did you know that cats can subtly modify their purring to manipulate their owner? Watch more ...