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.

A Paralysed Stray Cat and a Dedicated Carer Experience the Beauty of Unconditional Love

But when a soul, by choice and conscience, doth

Throw out her full force on another soul,

The conscience and the concentration both

Make mere life, Love.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

COSPICUA, 19/02/2017 by Alexander Johnson. Sugar’s life started brutally. As a small kitten he was thrown from the roof of a high building on to a hard pavement, a violent act which severed a part of his young brain, causing paralysis from the head down. Somehow, the little tabby managed to drag himself into a dark doorway, where his squeals of pain attracted the attention of a kind passerby who fortunately called a friend, an animal lover, well known for taking care of sick and injured cats. This was the beginning of many years filled with a deep bond of love and commitment between «Sugar» and his human Doris Zarb.

Doris and her beloved Sugar

Even though he could barely move, the traumatised kitten was hard to catch, and still had a lot of fight left in him. Beaming, and with a twinkle in her eyes, Doris recalled, “When I finally managed to pick Sugar up, out of fear he bit me, causing my hand to swell like a balloon”. The weeks that followed involved journeys from one vet to another, the final diagnosis was Sugar would remain paralysed for the rest of his life. Doris told us, “I was recommended to have Sugar put down. However, he wasn’t in pain, and he had life, therefore there was no reason to destroy him, so I ignored the advice.”

Affectionately, Doris continued, “Furthermore, as the days went by, he started to accept me as his friend, and warmly purred when I stroked him. After that I couldn’t let him go. He was so sweet and loving, so I named him Sugar, and decided to keep him with me.” Since then, for the last thirteen years, due to his disability Sugar has had to be hand fed and cleaned several times a day, a chore which Doris lovingly does, besides seeing to any other needs.

Feeding water

No matter where Doris goes Sugar is close by, snuggled in his soft layered basket. “I also have him by me at night”, said Doris. “When he sleeps he lies straight and stiff as a board, not curled up into a soft ball like most cats.” Doris asserted further, “Sometimes, when he’s dreaming, he has moments of spasms, which wake me up.” Extraordinarily, in all those years Sugar has not been sick once! “The fall broke all his teeth, and we had to take them out,” related Doris, “but in the course of the years his gums have become so hard that he can chew dry food. Other than that Sugar, besides his paralysis, has had a very healthy life!” Taking care of Sugar means that Doris has had to sacrifice some of life’s pleasures, such as a holiday. “How can I have a holiday, when I’m needed here with my cats!” She smilingly exclaimed.

Doris has dedicated her life to cats, especially to the most vulnerable of the feline family. Over the years she has worked hard to establish one of Malta’s leading cat sanctuary, CSAF (Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines), which today is home to over 250 cats. It is at the sanctuary that Sugar and Doris spend most of the working day. Sugar lies in his basket, surrounded by an entourage of cats, who seem to be very happy and proud to be in his presence. “The cats here love him, play with him, and one can see he enjoys it”, said Doris. On hearing Doris’ voice Sugar lifted his head to see where his loving human was. “I love all cats,” said Doris looking down at Sugar, “but Sugar has his own space in my heart.”

It was not expected that Sugar would survive a week, never mind to live all these years, but he proved all the pessimists wrong. Today, he is happy and healthy, with a lot more life to live, a miracle of love and devotion.

You can read more about Doris and the fantastic work of the  CSAF in 'Islands of Cats' on pages 79-85.

Islands of Cats at the 64th and 65th International Cat Show in Smart City Malta, February 11 and 12, 2017

This weekend, February 11 and 12, animal lovers will enjoy the 64th and 65th International Cat Show in Smart City in Malta. "A wide variety of breeds will be on display, including Bengals, Devon Rex, Himalayans, Maine coons, Persians, Sphynx and also household cats." the Times of Malta wrote last Friday in an article announcing the show.

at the 2016 World Cat Show

With more than 350,000 stray and feral cats in Malta and Gozo, our small, sea-locked nation also dedicates a lot of love, time and money in caring for the less privileged felines. The 2016 released photostory-book "Islands of Cats" introduces a representative 22 of the over 1,000 individuals devotedly looking after stray cats in the streets, in cat colonies and in stray shelters on a daily basis. The hardcover book comes with 258 colourful photographs on 128 pages, with interviews, stories, cat facts, it introduces places of interest in our islands, and all of it before the backdrop of mediterranean beauty, in English, Maltese and German. Meet author Alexander Johnson at the Petnutrition House Stand, and get your personal copy of Islands of cats signed.

» MFGC's 64th and 65th International Cat Show
» Islands of Cats at the World Cat Show, Malta, December 2016

We are featured in leading German cat magazine "Our Cats"

"Islands of Cats" has been featured in one of Germany's leading cat magazines, "Our Cats", edition  2/17 and published in print and online on 17 January 2017. 

This 2-page article (»png, »pdf) presents a short introduction as well as photographic impressions from the German version of our photostory-book "Islands of Cats". We would like to express our appreciation to Publisher Verlag Minerva in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and we do hope that this feature will gain a lot of interest for the valuable work of the stray cat carers in Malta and Gozo.

Grazzi ħafna !  Thank you very much !

One Year Later: Val & Jane of the SPCA Gozo

The friendly barking of dogs greeted us when we arrived at the SPCA Animal Centre in Rabat (Victoria) on Gozo Island. As usual Val and Jane were hard at work with their never ending chores, but were happy to take a few minutes break to receive their well deserved copy of ‘Islands of Cats’. Peter, the stray animal officer in Gozo and featured in Islands of Cats together with Val, had been called away for the day. So regular volunteer Jane was happy to pose for him. And as with all the carers, we wished we could do more to help their vital work.

You can read more about Peter, Val and the SPCA Gozo in 'Islands of Cats' on pages 117-119.

The book tells the story of a representative 22 of over 1,000 stray cat carers in Malta and Gozo on 128 pages, illustrated by over 250 colourful photographs - accompanied by cat facts, stories, interviews, and it introduces places of interest on the Islands. 'Islands of Cats' is available in English, Maltese and German, as well as E-Books including Kindle. And most of all, we donate part of the proceeds of each book sold in aid of neutering and spaying of stray and abandoned cats in the Maltese Islands. Click here to order your copy, and please tell your friends.

The Colourful Hardcover Print of 'Islands of Cats' is OUT NOW

Good News! Last Friday we held the print version of 'Islands of Cats' for the first time in our hands and were able to pick up the long awaited books in all 3 languages: English, German and Maltese.

A first snapshot of the three language versions

250+ colourful photographs on 128 pages talk about a representative 22 of more than 1,000 carers of stray and abandoned cats in Malta and Gozo and their admirable work. Also, read about places of interest close to these individual's locations, interviews with specialists, cat facts and more.

You can order your personal copy - which makes a nice Christmas present, too - in your preferred language through our web site, and we will ship it to you straight from the heart of the Mediterranean (exception customers with a delivery address in Malta or Gozo):

Delivery to Malta & Gozo

Delivery World-Wide

High-resolution PDF E-Books

Aiming at anybody who cares for animals, author Alexander Johnson explains: "There seems to be an affinity between a part of the Maltese population and the Islands’ feline citizens. These individuals who see to the cats’ needs, the importance of which is underrated, are called: carers or feeders. In our quest to find out more about these mostly shy and reserved caregivers, Gabriele and I met carers from all walks of life - housewives, business persons, room maids and doctors, Maltese, Gozitans, and foreigners - people who give up part of their daily lives to be dedicated and loyal knight-errants, sustaining and protecting their own ‘islands of cats’. And by having this fertile species neutered and spayed, keep the cat population at bay."

Author Alexander Johnson at the BDL Books' stand during the Malta Book Festival 2016.

Attention Stray Cat Carers in Malta & Gozo: New animal hospital opens at Ta’ Qali

Veterinary hospital opens at Ta’ Qali will be open 24 hours a day, strays to be treated for free while animal NGOs will benefit from 25% discount

Malta Today, 30 October 2016: "A new veterinary hospital was opened at Ta’ Qali today, replacing the St Francis animal centre which was closed for the past few months.

The APH Veterinary Hospital, which was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, is a joint venture between the government and the private sector.

The hospital will be open round the clock, and also houses operating theatres which will be dedicated for soft-issue surgeries and orthopaedic procedures.

Roderick Galdes, the parliamentary secretary for animal welfare, said that strays would be treated for free, and the hospital is also licensed to provide long-term treatment to animals. He said the facility met European standards and was the best not just in Malta, but also in the region.

As a result, the hospital is expected to attract business from Sicily and will market its services in the South of Italy. Kevin Attard, one of the owners of this hospital, said that animal rights’ NGOs could benefit from a 25% discount, while in addition, MCAST students will be taught at the hospital."
Click here for original article.

300,000 Stray Cats in Malta and Gozo - Beloved or a Nuisance?

Through a dear friend we heard last Sunday that The Independent Malta had picked up the topic around stray cats in Malta from our media release sent to the press in Malta a few weeks ago. The article was published in the print version from Sunday, July 3rd. Below a scan from the newspaper:

Our original text (web address and sales links were not published by the Independent):

300,000 Stray Cats in Malta and Gozo! Beloved or Nuisance?

More than 1,000 individuals from all walks of life, nationality, gender and age group take care of the many stray and abandoned cats on our Islands. Far from being a hobbyists and not always appreciated by fellow citizens, these primarily private initiatives render an important service to Malta’s environment.

Visit Malta’s branch office in Japan features a map on their web site where Japanese tourists can find spots to watch stray cats on Malta and Gozo. Tourists happily photograph the feeding of stray cats in Argotti and San Anton Gardens, or embark on a chat with a stray cat carer in Sliema’s Independence Park. These cats are good looking, well-fed and unobtrusive in behaviour. Plates and bowls with food and water can be seen in many places, sometimes even sheltered. Malta’s stray cats belong to the landscape as much as luzzus, lizards, and lampuki.

Who are these people actively caring for an estimated 300,000+ stray cats and how does the local environment benefit from it? Together with their research for their book ‘Islands of Cats’, the authors learned about the unknown advantages, such as, if cats are moderately fed, rodents will stay away. Caring and feeding stray cats daily and in fixed locations keeps them from roaming and tearing up garbage bags. However, most important, stray cat carers control a great part of the cat population by having them neutered and spayed as young as possible. As a result, neutered tomcats are less noisy and do not spray their territory anymore.

It is the devoted work of these stray cat carers that the growth of this highly procreating species is kept at bay and is now gradually diminishing. Uncomplaining, the carers often cover the costs of veterinary needs and decent cat food personally.

‘Islands of Cats’ portrays a representative 22 stray cat carers in Malta and Gozo. The self-published ebook pre-release also comes with interviews and informative cat facts on 121 pages. Its 222 colourful photographs extend to several chapters about places of interest for readers abroad, with outlines in English, German, or Maltese. A hardcover version will follow as soon as funding for printing has been secured. ‘Islands of Cats’ aims for readers in the Maltese Islands as well as animal lovers all over the world.

[contact information, links, etc]

Guestpost on Katzenworld UK: Islands of Cats – a unique Book dedicated to the Work of Stray Cat Carers in the Maltese Islands

Thank you, Katzenworld UK, for having our guest post on June 25th:

Mention the Maltese Islands and one arouses thoughts of sun, sea and beaches. Whilst enjoying the archipelago’s rich offerings in history, culture, and, of course gastronomy, you cannot help but notice the feline members of the local population. You will find strays in most corners of the world, the only difference is in Malta and Gozo the cats are not scraggy and musty, in fact the opposite, they are well fed and in peak condition, with glossy fur and bright eyes.

While touring the archipelago, Gabriele and I noticed there was an affinity between a part of the local residents and the Islands’ feline citizens. Curiosity got the better of us and we decided to discover more about these mostly shy and reserved caregivers. In our quest we were surprised to find that there was a sub culture of over 1,000 carers, and that they came from all walks of life, housekeepers, hand-workers, business persons, professional gamblers and university professors, all united in one cause – to act as guardians to the islands’ estimated 300,000 stray and feral cats.

The fruit of our research is “Islands of Cats” a photographic journey, portraying a representative 22 of these humble and devoted caregivers. Each chapter is teeming with colourful descriptive photographs, which capture the carers and the cat colonies in genuine, unfeigned situations, and a narrative highlighting each caregiver. The book also includes interesting facts about the localities visited, besides cat related information. “Islands of Cats” is unique, as it is the first book to feature Stray Cat Carers and their work.

As ebook available on Lulu.com in English, German and Maltese, and in the Kindle Store (English, German) for now, we hope to be able to release a hardcover version throughout the coming months. With every book sold, some proceeds will be returned to the stray cat carer community in Malta and Gozo in the format of food and vet vouchers, to provide some relief from their expenses, including TNR.

We are always open for feedback and will be happy to answer any questions about the Maltese Stray Cat Carer Community. Grazzi ħafna.

Alexander Johnson – Idea, Author
Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer – Photographer, Design

View original post and more photos here

Newsletter #7: Ebook Out Now: "Islands of Cats - about Stray Cat Carers in Malta"

» read newsletter online   » newsletter auf Deutsch

'Islands of Cats' out now !
E-Book on Lulu.com for €7.99 (excl. VAT)

We are proud to announce the release of 'Islands of Cats' - in English, German, or Maltese.

'Islands of Cats' portrays a representative 22 of 1,000+ Stray Cat Carers and shelters in Malta and Gozo, outlines places of interests in the wider area of the cat colonies, contains interviews, cat facts and much more. An entertaining, informative and educational publication with the purpose to create more awareness of the important work of Stray Cat Carers and their feline protégés in the Maltese Islands.

The ebook comes as fixed-layout PDF, with 222 high-resolution colour photographs on 121 pages, readable on any device with a pdf-reader: desktop, notebook, tablet, and smartphone.

English	German	Maltese

From each book sold, we will return 1 Euro to the community of Stray Cat Carers. We are currently evaluating cat food vouchers and/or vouchers for spaying and neutering.

Help us to help the stray cats carers
We are still looking for start-up support for the printing of the first 1000 hardcovers of 'Islands of Cats'. Your purchase is well invested, als all income from the ebook brings us closer to our goal. » click here for more...

Please share the news with your friends and family, and like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and visit our blog. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Kind regards
Alexander Johnson
Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

» read newsletter online   » newsletter auf Deutsch

Newsletter #6: Update from 'Islands of Cats': hectic Kitten Season, upcoming Pre-Release

» read newsletter online   » newsletter auf Deutsch

Photo courtesy Antonella Bartolo

It's kitten season. Stray cat carers in Malta are very busy these days. Many kittens have been born all over the Islands - often as a result of careless pet owners who have abandoned their un-spayed cats and un-neutered tomcats in the streets. Those litters land on the doorsteps of the carers, with the mother-cat in distress, or in a worst case run over by a car. However, there are many good souls in networks of foster caregivers who raise the little ones, while the mother, along with other youngsters, are being trapped for sterilisation.
Recently we noticed a bunch of young cats in the colony opposite of the house where we live, ready to procreate. In agreement with their feeder, we were able to arrange for a dedicated volunteer to trap the felines and have them neutered by a non-government animal organisation's vets. Meanwhile the cats are back in their colony, happily minding their cat business, thanks to another soul with a big heart for stray animals.

From the distance: trapping one early evening in Marsaskala

Update on «Islands of Cats» - the photo-story book that highlights the dedication and devotion of stray cat carers in the Maltese Islands. All stories have been written, all 222 photos selected, layout has been finalised, and thanks to our contributors from our crowdfunding activity in February and March, the 20'000 English words have been translated to Maltese and German. We strive to pre-release «Islands of Cats» as ebook within the next couple of weeks, while the hardcover edition is still pending funds.

"Hello, I stray in Gozo."

Help us to help the stray cats carers. We are still looking for start-up support for the printing of the first 1000 hardcovers. Your contribution is very welcome, also sponsorship » click here.

Please like our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and regularly visit this blog. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and stay tuned for more.

For today, our best wishes to all (cat) mothers !
Alexander Johnson & Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

Chilling at the Tomasina Cat Shelter in Malta

Islands of Cats Interview on TVM online available til 12 March

Alexander Johnson and Gabriele Ruttloff had been interviewed by Maltese premier TV station TVM during March 5th episode.

The clip will be available for a few days only, until March 12. For viewers not familiar with the Maltese language, forward to ca. 03:25 when shortly after the interview will switch to English. The interview ends at around 18:00.
» Link and enjoy!

Newsletter #4: Last Chance to support an Animal Welfare Project: Islands of Cats

Newsletter auf Deutsch

 
Over the past weeks, we informed about «Islands of Cats» the upcoming photo-story book highlighting the work of those individuals in the Maltese Islands, who look after stray and abandoned cats. Since September 2015, we have conducted dozens of interviews with men and women involved in the stray cats cause, and researched also beyond the Maltese borders.

Feral cats are a growing issue in several countries. Originally from the Middle East, cats have no natural enemies in most regions of the World, where they were brought to catch mice while they also became our favourite pets. But felines are a potent species, starting to reproduce as early as four months of age with two litters per year per female. Un-neutered domestic cats released to the open, for whatever reason, will be no exception to reproduction. With «Islands of Cats» we also want to create more awareness for cat control by talking about twenty stray cat carers representing the important work of over one thousand volunteers in our nation.

Help us to help the stray cat carers.
A small contribution to our crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter helps to reach our funding goal to cover costs for translations and printing. The campaign will end on March 10, 2016, by noon. Pledge an amount today while your credit card will only be charged if the campaign was successful. Alternatively, your contribution via Bank Transfer or PayPal is also welcome, at any time. And, for every book sold, Euro 1 will be returned to the carer community in Malta for food, vet visits, etc.

Please spread our call for funding by forwarding this email to your friends and colleagues, and like and follow us in the social media. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and stay tuned for more.

Sincerely,
Alexander Johnson
Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

1000 private Stray Cat Carers in Malta & Gozo keep the feral cat population under control

Hey, we're in the middle of writing a photo-story book about the unsung Stray Cat Carers in Malta and Gozo - Islands of Cats. Long time ignored by the public or labelled 'odd hobby of weird people', it was time to pay tribute to these more than 1'000 primarily Maltese and Gozitan individuals.

Stray Cat Carers feed cat colonies in steady locations every day, 365 days a year, often twice a day. They also take them to the vet if necessary, and, most importantly, catch them to have them neutered and spayed as young as possible. Paying most costs out of their own pockets.

With a land mass of the size of Munich and surrounded entirely by the sea, imagine the feral cat population wouldn't be controlled by these devoted private initiatives. According to PETA (and we made the math), one male and female cat and their offsprings' offsprings, at 2 litters a year surviving 3 kittens each, can multiply after 10 years into an unimaginable 80 million (!) cats. From two cats only! Without the stray cat carers work, the Maltese Islands would be infested by sickly, skinny feral cats, desperately looking for food and shelter.

The tireless commitment of these people and NGO's, such as the CSAF Carers of Stray and Abandoned Felines, are a textbook example how the love for animals spreads across an entire nation, taking responsibility for a larger cause.

Visit our web site and blog at www.islandsofcats.com and help us to raise the funds for translation and printing to get this great book going. Some of the proceeds of every book sold will be donated to the Stray Cat Carers! Grazzi hafna / Thank you very much.

PS: Please share our post. Like Islands of Cats on Facebook and follow us on twitter :)

Newsletter #3: How you can support our upcoming book and the unsung Stray Cat Carers of the Maltese Islands

Visitors to the Maltese Islands will soon notice the well fed and healthy feral cats in the parks and streets... Wait a minute, stray cats and good looking? ...Well, in our small nation in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, a total of approximately 1'000 individuals take care of -a conservative estimation of- 100'000 feral and abandoned cats. That's how.

Our photo-story book «Islands of Cats» highlights twenty of these men and women from all walks of life, whose vital work keeps the cats in top condition by feeding them in steady colony locations, taking them to the vet, and, most importantly, by having them neutered and spayed to control the furry population. Notably covering all costs out of their own pockets.

Therefore, some of the proceeds of every book sold will be donated to the stray cat carers. But first we have to  fund the costs for translations to Maltese and German, and for printing the first 1'000 hardcovers to have «Islands of Cats» ready for release in May 2016.

Help us to help the stray cat carers. Please take a few minutes to review our project presentation on Kickstarter, where our crowdfunding campaign will end on March 9, 2016. Pledge an amount today while your credit card will only be charged on March 10, and if the funding goal has been reached. Alternatively, your direct contribution via Bank Transfer or PayPal is also welcome.

Spread our call for funding by forwarding this email to your friends and colleagues, and like and follow us in the social media. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and stay tuned for more.

Read more about how you can contribute in the full newsletter.
Click here for all recent newsletters.

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 !!