Is Malta really the island of cats? We have proof! by GuideMeMalta

What a nice surprise when a friend in Malta sent us the link to a post about stray and feral cats in Malta, which actually quotes our book 'Islands of Cats' on GuideMeMalta.com. Some time in July 2018,  by Melanie Drury wrote:

"Every visitor will notice the presence of several felines around the Maltese Islands. What about the cats of Malta and why is it becoming known as the island of cats?"

A hungry stray cat colony waiting to be fed on Gozo © 2016 Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

"There are many cats in Malta. In the homes, in the streets, in the parks, by the water’s edge, fat cats live happily. In fact, Malta could well be the best place in the world to be a stray.

Locals are so accustomed to their presence that cats have come to play an integral role in the cultural landscape. It’s ordinary to shoo a snoozing cat off the roof off your car and to see cats gathering at the time the cat lady is due to appear with food. Most people tolerate them happily; others leave food and water on their doorstep; and some take it upon themselves to..." read more.

Just a tiny note, the author states that 3,000 feral cats live in the Maltese Islands. A conservative estimation actually comes to 350,000 animals, and that's why neutering and spaying is so important, a topic covered in our book. We financially support the free neutering program of Happy Paws Malta with every book we sell.

Owners must neuter free-roaming cats, say animal welfare groups - by SwissInfo.ch

Having whitnessed first hand in Malta how rapidly uncontrolled feral cat colonies can grow, we, the authors Islands of Cats are ardent defenders of TNR - Trap-Neuter-Release. The call for a neuter/spay obligation has become louder recently, with an an estimate of 300'000 feral cats roaming the country. On June 12, Swissinfo.ch wrote online:

Swiss animal protection groups have collected more than 115,000 signatures calling for the obligatory castration of cats that go outside.

Symbolic image - stray cats in Floriana, Malta - © 2016 Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer

The aim of the non-binding petition is to curb the number of stray cats and reduce unnecessary suffering. The Network for Animal Protection (NetAP) and Tier im Recht (TIR) handed in the petition, backed by more than 150 organisations, to parliament on Tuesday. They estimate that 100,000-300,000 stray cats live in Switzerland. One of the main causes of the stray-cat problem is that owners of free-roaming house cats don’t always neuter them, with the result that these cats mate with strays, producing offspring. ... read more.

One Year Later: Jane & Elaine of the Tomasina Cat Sanctuary

The team at the Tomasina Cat Sanctuary in Luqa were busy cleaning when we arrived to present their copy of 'Islands of Cats'. However, Jane, the Sanctuary Manager, and Elaine, a regular volunteer, happily took a break from their chores to accept the book on behalf of the Sanctuary.

'Thank you for including us in this wonderful book', said Jane. 'It makes us feel good when our work is acknowledged.' Which made Gabi and me feel good too!

left to right: a Cat, Elaine with a Cat, Jane with the Book, and Alexander

You can read more about Jane and the Tomasina Cat Sanctuary in 'Islands of Cats' on pages 59-63.

'Islands of Cats' tells the stories 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 and Amazon 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.

For stray cats, the most humane options are also the most effective ones (via WP)

Washington Post 7 October 2016: "Regarding “Pet peeves: In a scathing new book, two bird lovers put the ‘cat’ in catastrophe,” the Sept. 20 Health & Science review of “Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer”:

The book repeated myths about cats that were discredited years ago.

The authors of “Cat Wars” make no secret that killing millions of cats is their goal. Eighty percent of Americans believe that it’s more humane to leave a stray cat outside than to catch and kill her. This country will never accept large-scale killing of outdoor cats. Mass killing doesn’t work ; populations rebound quickly. Cities and counties have spent millions of taxpayer dollars on catch-and-kill efforts for decades. Trap-neuter-return programs do work. Adopted by more than 600 communities (and counting), they humanely stop the breeding cycle and have been scientifically proved to decrease the size of colonies over time.

As more people realize it, they’re seeing that the most humane options are also the most effective ones." »original post

Women who spoke up for Animals in 1869, when nobody else did (via WYSK)

Women You Should Know 14 April 2016: "In the late 1800s, the treatment of animals was not a topic of concern or conversation. Animals were considered utilitarian, and consequently, inhumane treatment was commonplace. But a small group of extraordinary women, led by Caroline Earle White, raised their voices to fight animal cruelty in the most profound ways. The historic impact they made continues to this day through the work of the Women’s Humane Society.

Initially, it was the mistreatment of carriage horses in Philadelphia (e.g. drivers beating their exhausted and malnourished charges) that spurred Caroline, a devoted humanitarian and highly educated woman from a prominent family of abolitionists and suffragists, to go on a passionate crusade to improve conditions for all animals. Putting thought into action, she was instrumental in establishing the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or PSPCA in 1868 (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA was founded in New York one year earlier)..." Read full article on WYSK.

Snapshot: fast asleep Moggy in Palma de Mallorca

End of July we spent a few days in Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. We didn't look for stray cats, but noticed that not many were to be seen in the Capital of the Island of Mallorca, probably due to the many tourists moving around in this bustling city center. However, in a picturesque alleyway close to the  Esbaluard Museum of Modern Art, we came past this little tiger, fast asleep in a striking pose, and not minding one tourist walking by ...

photo ©2016 Gabriele Ruttloff for Islands of Cats

Meet the Stray Cats of Gozo

Malta's green little sister is located a short 20 minutes ferry right North of the main Island of the Maltese Archipelago. Only 67 square kilometres in size, Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) has much history to offer, including one of the oldest free standing temple in the world, 5,500 years old Ġgantija. The Island is popular amongst divers from all over the world, for hiking, for its rough yet green landscape, or simply for relaxed holidays away from the busy tourist centres of Malta. And cats know that, too.

Watching her clowder gather for a meal in Żebbuġ, Gozo.

By conservative estimation, some 350,000 stray cats live on Malta and Gozo. With very little control exercised by official bodies, it is thanks to the initiative and devotion of more than 1,000 individuals who feed the strays daily, provide veterinary support and have them neutered and spayed as young as 4 months (primarily at their own costs!). However, some clever moggies hide too well and do reproduce. Today the cat population in this overdeveloped, sea-locked small nation is stable, if not declining.

For the book "Islands of Cats - the humble Stray Cat Carers of the Maltese Islands", 6 of the 22 stray cat carers portrayed were visited in Gozo, namely Żebbuġ, Xlendi, Fontana, Għajnsielem, Qala, and Rabat (former brit. Victoria). While the book highlights the work of the stray cat carers, for this post, the stray cats of Gozo are the stars, photographed at around feeding time during the winter months. Enjoy the view.

Knocking at the Stray Cat Carers door. It's feeding time !! Żebbuġ, Gozo.

Strays after their in-house meal at a stray cat carer's home in Għajnsielem, Gozo

Hello. I live in Għajnsielem, Gozo, too.

Feeding time at the SPCA's Cat Café in Gozo's capital Rabat (former brit. Victoria).

Anywhere in Malta or Gozo: After the meal, snoozing in the sun. The shelter of a parked car is always welcome.

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]

Feral and Stray Cats—An Important Difference (via Alley Cat Allies)

Stray in Malta (photo Gabriele Ruttloff-Bauer)

Alley Cat Allies: Feral, stray, and pet cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But stray cats and feral cats are also different from each other in a very important way—in their relationship to and interactions with people.

Whether you are a shelter worker, veterinarian, or feral cat advocate—or you just share your neighborhood with feral cats—knowing how to tell the difference can help inform how best to interact with a cat or what, if any, intervention would be in each cat’s best interest.

• What is socialization?
• What is the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?
• Why does it matter?
• How do I tell the difference when the cats are outdoors?
• How do I tell feral and stray cats apart once I have trapped them?
• What do I do next?

Read on and download documentation

Japan Saves Native Rabbits by Neutering Thousands of Cats (via Catster)

To protect the Amami rabbit, a "living fossil," Japanese officials are using TNR rather than mass killing. Other nations should take notice. 

Catster 11 May 2016: "Japan really loves its cats. This makes managing stray overpopulation in ecologically vulnerable areas a challenge, at least if you believe it should be done in a way that doesn’t involve cruelty to animals. Other nations, including Australia and New Zealand, take a horrific and merciless approach with “culling” that often uses brutal tactics such as trapping and mass poisoning, even though these methods often have unintended consequences. For Japan, these options were a nonstarter when looking at how to protect the fragile Amami rabbits of Tokunoshima island, so the nation devised a better..." read on.

Cat café controversy highlights challenges of doing business with cats (via CBC News)

CBC News 9 May 2016: "Having a coffee with a cat close by was once a privilege only cat-owners could enjoy.

 But today, cat cafés are offering that opportunity to all: order a hot beverage and enjoy it in the midst of adoptable cats in a cafe setting. There are currently 255 cat cafés in 37 countries and 143 cities, according to Coffee With Cats, a website that tracks cat cafés.

But a recent controversy in Toronto's only cat café, the TOT Café on College Street, has highlighted how difficult it is to run a business with..." read on.

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

These Linguists Want to Help You Speak Fluent Cat

illustration original post

Science of Us 27 April 2016: "There’s a mystery in The Aristocats — that classic 1970 Disney movie about felines falling in love, dodging murder, and prowling around Paris — that no one has been able to satisfyingly explain: Why, when all of the cats are French, do they have such a wide variety of accents? Family matriarch Duchess is vaguely French, I guess, but O’Malley the alley cat is American, and I don’t even know what the kittens are — British, maybe.

The simplest explanation, if we’re going to seriously engage with the linguistics of a kids’ movie about anthropomorphic cats, is that they have different accents for the same reason humans do: They’re all from different places. Previous research has found that whales, cows, and macaques all have their own regional..." read on.

Ferals, Strays and Barn Cats

The Columbian Blogs 25 April 2016: "You’ve seen them around, cats that seem to have no home and may be skittish towards you. These are cats that have either lost their home and have to fend for their self or they were born in the wild. These are usually called stray or feral cats. A stray cat is one that has been socialized to people at some point in her life, but has left or lost her domestic home, as well as most human contact and dependence. A feral cat may never have had any contact with humans or her contact was minimal. She is fearful of people and survives on her own outdoors. You can often find colonies of these cats around out-buildings on country property. They are sometimes called barn cats or farm cats.

When not properly taken care of, they can live miserable lives. Over population, diseases and predators are some of the dangers that these cats face. But people are often the biggest danger to these cats. People get upset with the number of cats on their property and they shoot, poison, drown or torture the cats. Some will trap the cats and take them to the..." read on

Valletta Cruise Port teams up with Tomasina cat sanctuary to home 8 cats

Valletta Cruise Port teams up with cat sanctuary to find home for eight abandoned cats

Malta Today 20 April 2016: As part of its corporate social responsibility programme, Valletta Cruise Port has teamed up with Tomasina Cat Sanctuary to find a home for eight cats that had been abandoned at Valletta Waterfront in 2015.

Volunteers at Tomasina  successfully caught these cats and took them to a vet, who performed deworming, vaccination and neutering programmes.

The cats are now available for homing.

“It is indeed a pity that these cats were irresponsibly dumped outside, at the mercy of the elements, often risking being injured or killed by passing vehicles. As the company operating one of Malta’s leading entertainment destinations, set in a historical backdrop, and a key stakeholder in the local cruise liner industry, Valletta Cruise Port’s role goes beyond that of...read on.

Video: What is the maximum weight of a fish that a stray cat can carry?

Trap-neuter-release works

Keys Info Net 31 March 2016:  Regarding Duff Smith's letter to the editor. 

Cats are not the problem. Never have been, nor will they ever be. Citizens abandoning and discarding these sentient creatures as garbage into the wild are the problem.

Rather than emphasizing an “accelerated killing program” for these innocent animals, perhaps a determined and collaborative mode of policing can apprehend and punish the guilty parties, which have chosen to recklessly abandon and cast away their cats into our extended community. Senselessly killing a beautiful creation because of its owner's negligence, is cruel and barbaric.   

We are in agreement, cats are best cared for when living indoors or under the supervision of their owners. However, what shall be done with those that have been released to roam outdoors, or those beaten to near death and deposited into a dumpster; after they've been taken into a cat colony and are now living a healthy and fruitful life under the supervision of a loving and dedicated caretaker?

Shall these innocent creatures be rounded up and killed, because of the sins and malfeasance of their previous owners; after they've been adopted and shown kindness by their present caregivers for an extended period of time (In one case, a 17-year relationship with the oldest cat)? Shall the supervisors of these colonies providing this service, at no cost to the taxpayer, be....read on.

Special Diet? Cats Living in Moscow Garden Eat Entire Crop of Bananas

Cats living in Moscow’s Apothecary Garden gobbled up the first crop of bananas which was meant for the park visitors, the press service of the botanical garden reported

Sputnik International 2 April 2016: “Recently, we gathered a harvest of velvet bananas and laid the flesh with seeds to dry on a saucer. When I walked into the greenhouse, a large portion had been eaten and near the crime scene a tortoiseshell cat sat licking herself. In the same spot a black cat was chewing on a piece of banana,” the curator of tropical plants Vitaly Alenkin said.

According to him, because of the naughty felines the autumn distribution of bananas for the garden visitors has come under...read on

Newsletter #5: «Islands of Cats» in Malta & Gozo - 25 Carers 19'000 Words 120 Pages 200+ Photos

» read newsletter online   » newsletter in German

Malta and Gozo are busy preparing for the Easter celebrations, with traditional ceremonies, and historical processions in many towns and villages. A welcome break for many, but more than 1000 men and women in the Islands look after the well-being of stray and abandoned cats - just like every day and all year round. The upcoming photo-story book «Islands of Cats» highlights their commitment to the feral cats in the Maltese Islands and the impact it has on society and environment.

We started our project in September 2015. Today we counted

• 19'000 words worth ...
• 25 stories of stray cats carers, cat workers, shelters
• previews of places of interest in Malta and Gozo
• fun facts and stories about cats.
• 200+ colourful photos selected from 2500+ motifs
• and 120 pages designed.

An entertaining, socio-critical book that will be published as e-book and hardcover, in English, German and Maltese, available to animal lovers around the world.

Help us to help the stray cats carers.
We are still looking for start-up support, primarily for the printing of the first 1000 hardcovers. Your contribution is very welcome  » Click here, or contact us for co-marketing and sponsorship opportunities.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration, and stay tuned for more.
Happy Easter Wishes & Greetings !

How To Identify Stray And Feral Cats, And How To Help Them Survive!

TheAnimalRescueSite 2015: (As winter fast approaches, there is a greater) need for generosity and kindness toward the stray animals that populate almost every neighborhood in the country.  This month we are helping to raise awareness of both stray and feral cats. The most important part is to share information on how to tell the difference between the two, and how you can help protect them over the coming months.

The most common misconception with strays and feral cats is that they are “wild” animals. Feral and stray cats are both domestic animals, although stray cats are socialized to be near people and are typically the product of abandonment or getting lost and separated from their homes. Feral cats are cats that have had little to no contact with humans and act accordingly. They have strong family bonds and live..read on for full comparison.