A Cat's Fate in Switzerland - Amber (via NetAP)

From the Newsletter of NetAP - Network for Animal Protection (Switzerland):

Photograph © NetAP Schweiz

"Amber: one of many and yet unique! Approximately 1.7 million cats live in Switzerland. The number of suffering cats is high. Thousands of cats vegetate on farms, factory sites, in housing estates, market gardens, garden plots and in many other places. Every year, countless young animals are killed because they are unwanted, and those responsible shy away from the costs of neutering or deliberately do without it. At the same time, a real "throwaway mentality" has crept in among the owners. Many are not willing to spend money on their animal. Is it sick or injured, it is disposed of without further ado.

We rescue such cats every day. Cats like Amber.

We found Amber on a farm in central Switzerland. Her skinny little body was covered with wounds. It quickly became evident that this cat would die in agony if it didn't get help immediately. The owner, however, was not willing to have her treated, not even at the expense of a third party. Eventually, and with the help of the police, he had to be persuaded to give Amber up. After several days at the veterinary clinic, Amber gradually recovered from her injuries and massive neglect. She is a little sunshine, very cuddly and incredibly happy that she finally no longer has to suffer from pain and hunger.

Such individual rescues do not change the situation of all cats in Switzerland, of course. Improvement could only be achieved with obligatory neutering and spaying. But every rescue changes the world of the affected animal. And if you also believe that every life counts, then we would be happy to receive your donation for cats like Amber."

Simon's Cat Logic - Do Cats Fall In Love? - About Neutering and Spaying

As always, Simon Tofield has created a lovely clip, and goes with his "Cat Logic" videos a step further. Cat expert Nicky Treverrow talks about mating habits and the advantage of neutering and spaying, starting at 1 min 05 secs ...

Great Clip by Nolan River Animal Hospital, Texas, USA ....... "All About that Spay"

It couldn't be explained any better ... !

Scotland: Political manifesto is cool for cats

The National 4 March 2016:  POLITICAL animals lined up with a giant cat yesterday at an event calling for more pet protection. Scotland’s first “manifesto for cats” was delivered to MSPs in a bid to influence policy ahead of the forthcoming Holyrood election. Charity Cats Protection unveiled a 10 ‘paw’-int plan calling for updates to breeding and sale laws, compulsory feline microchipping, an outright ban on snares, a cat database to prevent illegal imports and protections for rights of pet-owners in rented housing and care homes.

There are an estimated 900,000 cats in Scotland, with 23 per cent of households having at least one. Christine Grahame MSP, who hosted the event, said: “As a cat owner myself, my cat Mr Smokey has been microchipped and I would encourage other owners to do the same. “There are many areas of policy where more can be done to improve feline welfare.” Cats Protection has more than 1,300 volunteers and 48 branches which operate alongside its Glasgow Adoption Centre.

In 2014, its Scottish branches found homes for more than 5,700 unwanted and abandoned animals. Advocacy manager Jacqui Cuff said: “Over the past few years we have been contacted about a worrying number of issues that our supporters and the general public want us to raise with the Scottish Government. “Nearly one in four Scottish households owns a cat so the issue of feline welfare is very relevant to Scottish voters. Delivery of the manifesto for cats would improve the lives of thousands of cats in Scotland and prevent them from harm. We’re hoping that politicians will back our call to improve the welfare and wellbeing of thousands of cats. There’s much more that Scottish government and local authorities can do to ensure a better world for cats.”
» complete media release

Cool Initiative: Cats won’t wear condoms - get your cat fixed

wellandtribune.ca 28 February 2016:When it comes to having safe sex, count cats out. That’s the message the Port Colborne Feline Initiative wants you to know.

The organization launched a new T-shirt design Friday at the Port Colborne fire hall. The shirt was created to bring awareness to spay and neuter importance and programs. The front of the shirt reads “Cats won’t wear condoms, fix your cat.” Kristi Vogel of the Port Colborne Feline Initiative said the organization chose this slogan because it was provocative and eye-catching. She said it also gets the message across in a fun way.

For Vogel it is important to get cats fixed because the community is dealing with a large cat population. There are many strays in the city. The feline initiative is trying to help. “I think it is the right thing to do on so many different levels. It helps the community to have less cats roaming around, less cats ending up at the shelter, and it is just better for...read on.