Tabla de contenidos para March 2022 en Your Cat

Welcome… March 2022 My friend told me a brilliant story about his cat. During the day, his cat Ash is allowed out through the cat flap and then it is shut at night for his safety. So, one morning the bouncy moggy gets up for his breakfast as usual and then wanders around the house before settling down out of sight. At some point, Ash had obviously headed out as his owner had opened the cat flap. My friend was sitting at his home office doing whatever a network engineer does when he heard a tapping noise. The cat was pawing at the nearby window. The window was opened to let in the cat. He was his usual happy feline self, enjoyed some fuss and then headed into the house to…

THERAPY CAT SERIES New series Becoming a therapy cat In a new series, we’re looking at the incredible ways in which therapy cats help people. But just how does a feline take up this role? Kathryn Hearn finds out. Kathryn Hearn is a journalist for ‘The Guardian’ whose career has included working at Newsround, as an RSPCA press officer, and a pet agony aunt. She grew up with cats and shares her home with Maine Coon, Kylo, and rescue cats, Tabby and Rey. We all know how much our cats make us happy and are good for our mental health. But some cats spread this gift even further as therapy cats, visiting people who will receive a boost from a feline visitor. In our new series on therapy cats, we’re going…

COLUMNIST James Bowen He’ll never stop missing Bob but adding two kittens to his home has helped James cope with the loss of his best friend. We hear how Bandit and Gizmo came to be part of the family. The house had been completely turned upside down, like a hurricane had hit it or maybe you would think it had been burgled. We looked everywhere. Turned over everything. Monika was crying, sitting in the corner with the belief in her mind that Gizmo had run away. Two of our closest friends were standing there scratching their heads trying to figure it out. We looked under the bath, behind the fridge, under the floorboards, which isn’t possible but we did try anyway. But we couldn’t find Gizmo anywhere. Bandit, however, was…

COMMUNITY CAT HERO AWARD NO AMIMAL left behind This March sees the 10-year anniversary of Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary, which was set up by community hero Lisa Hunt. This award acknowledges those cat lovers who have gone above and beyond in their communities to make the lives of their local cats better. After we posted an appeal on social media for our online followers to nominate their community cat heroes, we received more than 1,000 nominations from all across the UK, ranging from dedicated cat rescues to individual cat lovers who just try to make a difference in their communities. This month’s Community Cat Hero Award winner is Lisa Hunt, the founder of Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary in Wythall, near Birmingham in the West Midlands. NOMINATION: Lisa received…

Confessions of a Cat-sitter When accidents happen to Chris (and they often do!), there is usually a cat involved… Chris Pascoe is a cat-sitter and author. He has written five books, including ‘A cat called Birmingham’ and ‘You can take the cat out of Slough’, which are available to buy from Amazon. With spring well and truly on the horizon, I now feel just about able to talk about my mishap-prone winter. With the need to keep visits to GPs and hospitals to an absolute minimum over that period, I deliberately sprained my own wrist and ended up in A&E. That’s how keen I was to go to hospital. Deliberately spraining your own wrist seems quite a radical thing to do, even for somebody who gave up their day job to…

Sleep special Should your cat share your bed? A purring cat next to you on the bed can be so cosy but sharing your sleeping arrangements with your pet is not for everyone. Read on to discover the dos and don’ts… Yvonne Martin is a freelance journalist who specialises in health and well-being features. She is a lifelong cat-lover and lives with a shorthair tabby called Rita who has her own instagram account @ritascatworld If you’ve ever woken up and found yourself squished into a quarter of the bed, while your cat sprawls luxuriously in acres of duvet, you may have wondered if you should let your kitty share your space at night. On the one hand, there is something so comforting about a snoozing cat by your side. On the…

FIRST ISSUE + FREE GIFT JUST 99p Then only £3.99 a month (Anytime cancellation) If you love cats, you’ll know cats bring so much joy to our lives, and Your Cat Magazine is a celebration of all things cat, every month! Treat yourself or buy as a gift for a friend, especially at such a low trial price of just 99p! If you like it, carry on for just £3.99 a month – risk free/cancel anytime. PLUS, we’ll send you a Lucky Cat Keyring. IT’S EASY TO BECOME A SUBSCRIBER! www.yourcat.co.uk/99p 01778 395176 & Quote CATS/PRINT T&Cs-This offer is available on direct debit only, go to www.yourcat.co.uk/subscribe to view the full range of credit/debit card offers.…

Pawtraits Take a look at these gorgeous and playful kitties! JJ wins an Ancol Premo XL Activity Centre, worth £21.90, while the others receive an assortment of cat toys, including a Jittery Mouse, courtesy of Ancol Pet Products. For more information, call 01922 402428. (UK only) SEE YOUR CAT HERE! Email a clear (non-blurry) image of usable size (around 300dpi and 1MB) to pawtraits@yourcat.co.uk Please include your full name, address, and phone number, as well as your cat’s name. www.facebook.com/yourcatmagazine @yourcatmagazine pawtraits@yourcat.co.uk…

WELFARE CHAIR OF CATS PROTECTION STANDS DOWN AMID RAISED WELFARE QUESTIONS The chair of Cats Protection Linda Upson has stepped down after concerns were raised about the welfare of her own cats. It has been reported that Upson was housing 18 cats in her three-bedroomed home and the issue came to light when on January 20 the charity’s interim CEO Charles Darley quit only three months into his contract after raising concerns. He wrote on LinkedIn that: “Trustees should lead by example in adhering to the cat welfare, financial, safeguarding and diversity standards we promote.” However, Upson insists there was not a welfare issue and Cats Protection stated “no legislation in relation to cat welfare had been breached and no Cats Protection policies had been breached.” Upson said she took…

THERAPY CAT SERIES PAT facts ● The UK charity was founded in 1983 by dog owner Lesley Scott-Ordish who understood the unique bond between humans and animals ● Most people think therapy animals are dogs, but over the years PAT has had several hundred PAT cats ● There’s a real need for more volunteers with cats as they are very popular ● Volunteers visit thousands of people in a variety of places including residential homes, day care centres, schools, and hospitals ● PAT is the largest therapy organisation in Europe ● For more details visit petsastherapy.org…

A never-ending mission Lisa and her team of volunteers and foster carers are continuously working tirelessly to help not only rehome their cats and kittens, but also give advice and help to people who are thinking of surrendering their pets. One example was a cat that a woman had had since she was a kitten, but when she moved in with her boyfriend it was found that he was allergic to her cat and so she decided to rehome her pet — at 18 years old. “I gave her as much advice as I could to reconsider getting rid of her cat, such as keeping the boyfriend and the cat separate and taking anti-allergy medicine because I said I wouldn’t even consider putting an 18-year-old house cat in an outdoor…

Sleep special CAT NAPS! Sleep is an incredible regenerative force and cats are renowned for their ability to snooze. But what are the signs that our feline friends are actually getting good sleep? Toni Shelbourne A Tellington TTouch practitioner and certified animal behaviourist, Toni Shelbourne has three decades of experience working with companion animals. The author of six books, she lives in Oxfordshire, where she sees clients, runs workshops, and gives talks and webinars. You can visit her website: www.tonishelbourne.co.uk “Sleep affects almost every single type of tissue…” One of the most important essentials for making sure your pet has a happy and healthy life is often overlooked: plenty of snoozing. Just as with us, getting enough sleep is absolutely key to good physical and mental health, and it can…

CAT BREED INDEX: TOYGER The look of a tiny tiger with an affectionate and intelligent character, is the Toyger for you? Rosemary Fisher entered the cat fancy in 1974 when she purchased her first pedigree cat — a Chinchilla called Brylou Moonstone. She breeds Persians and Exotics, and judges in several sections. She is currently a GCCF Board member and also serves on the genetics committee. “Variety is the spice of life for a Toyger.” HISTORY This beautiful and still somewhat rare breed was developed specifically to resemble a small tiger, hence its name, shortened from ‘toy tiger.’ The originator of this breed, based in the US, is Judy Sugden, the daughter of Jean Mill, the originator of the Bengal breed. While working to improve the clarity of markings in mackerel…

Cats in the media Cats are always in the media and the new film about artist Louis Wain has added to this. Louis Wain is said to have changed the nation’s perception of cats, perhaps because keeping a cat as a pet was unusual in the Victorian era. Louis Wain is best known for his anthropomorphic work during the early part of the 20th century, the appeal of which came from the humour associated with images of cats behaving like humans — playing cricket, driving cars, or playing musical instruments for example, often dressed up in clothes. There is no doubt that Louis Wain was a great cat lover, but his art should be viewed through the lens of the time when it was produced. Anthropomorphism in art was very…

What kind of cat owner are you? SongBird Survival has categorised the different types of cat owner in relation to their opinions on cats’ right to roam and their potential hunting impact. Which one are you? You can take the quiz and find out here https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/preview/5ebbc84fcd 88400014519c5e CONCERNED PROTECTOR You worry about your cat roaming and being lost, stolen, or killed and believe keeping them indoors keeps them safe, but you wouldn’t keep your cat indoors solely to stop them hunting. FREEDOM DEFENDER You think cats should be able to roam as they please and hunting is a good sign of normal behaviour. You oppose restrictions on their access to the outdoors. TOLERANT GUARDIAN The benefits of letting your cat roam outweigh the risk of injury. Hunting is the least…

SHORT STORY A VERY SPECIAL SAUCER A black cat is on hunger strike. Can any hero get this kitty to eat? A short story  by Lynne Hackles. “George’s saucer was old. Plain, and purple and ugly, but George had never known another.” Laura looked at George, her black cat, and thought about the old fairy tales. The ones where the King proclaims: “If any eligible Prince can make my daughter laugh, then he can have her hand in marriage.” Or Prince Charming when he says: “Whosoever the slipper fits will become my bride.” Well, Laura had got to the stage of: ‘If any man can make George eat, I’ll marry him.’ She was that desperate. George was the most important thing in her life and the reason she’d moved into…

NEW BOOKS ‘A CAT NAMED FATIMA: TALES OF 23 CATS & THE PEOPLE WHO LOVED THEM’ BY JAMES KENYON (MEADOWLARK PRESS) This is a book for ailurophiles (people who love cats). From the award-winning author of 'A Cow for College and Other Short Stories of 1950s Farm Life' comes 23 stories dedicated to those who adore their feline friends. From a three-legged barn cat to a Siamese that loved showers, from the best cat a fisherman could ever have, to a veterinary clinic’s greeter, these cat stories will warm the heart, bring laughter, and perhaps a tear or two. Each story is illustrated by a delightful kitty sketch by the artist Thomas Marple. Price: £16.99 ‘CATS WORK LIKE THIS’ BY DAVID ST JOHN THOMAS AND GARETH ST JOHN THOMAS (EXISLE…

CAT PRODUCTS ● The new BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser is a powerful, super convenient, cordless, portable carpet and upholstery cleaner. Always ready to leap into action to remove little accidents or tricky tough stains, it’s purrfect for families and pet owners. The spray and powerful rotating DirtLifter PowerBrush helps loosen, lift, and remove tough pet stains, embedded dirt, and grime with minimum effort thanks to the lithium-ion battery which provides 20 minutes of continuous cleaning with powerful suction and the freedom of cordless cleaning. Unlike many other portable carpet cleaners, this machine allows you to store the formula in the tank when it’s not in use. Conveniently grab and go to achieve instant and permanent stain removal on carpet, stairs, upholstery, area rugs, car interiors and anywhere around the house…

ABOUT GWRYCH CASTLE Gwrych Castle stands in 250 acres of gardens and grounds and was built between 1812 and 1822 by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh as a memorial to his mother’s ancestors, the Lloyds of Gwrych. When Lloyd died, the castle was passed onto Robert Bamford-Hesketh and his wife, Ellen Jones-Bateman, who planted much of the present gardens with their enormous monkey puzzles and yew trees. During World War II, the castle was requisitioned as part of Operation Kindertransport and in 1946 was sold by the Dundonald family, ending nearly 1,000 years of family ownership. In 1948, the castle was purchased by Leslie Salts who opened it as the ‘Showplace of Wales’ for 20 years before it was sold in 1968 and operated as a medieval entertainment centre with jousting, banquets,…

Cat chat We want to hear all about your fabulous felines! Email catchat@yourcat.co.uk or write to us (see page 5 for our address). Kitten of the month! Here’s Niko sent in by Lucy Hill, from Hemelel Hempstead. For the lions in training! Kittyrama kitten collars are purrfect for curious kittens! Breakaway, soft, comfy, and hypoallergenic. Find out more at www.kittyrama.co.uk (UK only. Colours may vary.) Mystery moggy! I particularly enjoyed the breed focus in the latest issue of Your Cat that I’ve been able to get my hands on, the October 2021 issue. I’m only up to the October issue due to Covid slowing the magazine deliveries from the UK. But back to the breed focus. I enjoyed the article more than the others I’ve read due to my three-year-old…

What will you win? Freebies For your chance to win prizes, enter online by visiting www.yourcat.co.uk/giveaways using the code AWF29GWP or turn to page 59 for more information on how to enter competitions. Please note, you can enter online from February 10, 2022 and the competition closes March 9, 2022. CAT TOWER 1 TO WIN! Looking for a cat tower that you can put together in seconds and requires no tools? Check out Catit’s brand new website exclusive stacking towers! These stylish three-level cat towers are available in two different shapes and each tier can be split down to create individual hideouts — the purrfect furniture if you have limited space or want to expand your feline’s furniture across the house. With the cosy hideouts and peek-a-boo openings, catnaps and…

Cat care Sponsored by OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS GENERAL CARE Celia Haddon MA MSc MA is a well-known pet columnist and author of numerous cat books. She is a cat lover and owner, with a cat behaviour qualification and broad experience of feline issues. VETERINARY Aga Zoltowska BVSc MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) DipCABT MRCVS graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2005 and is passionate about cat welfare. Find out more at www.thecatboxsolutions.com BEHAVIOUR Kim Houston BSc (Hons), Dip (AS) CABC, CCAB is a consultant in feline behaviour. She works with clients throughout the UK, helping to resolve cat behaviour problems. Find out more at www.cat-astrophes.com Clare Hemington DipCAPBT is an accredited feline behaviourist. She has a cat behaviour referrals practice and runs her Honeysuckle Cat Toys business with the help of…

Protect the birds SongBird Survival suggests some other tips to help the birds stay safe: ● Keep your cat indoors at night, especially at dawn and dusk. This is especially important during nesting season, which is at its peak in the spring. ● If you have bird feeders in your garden, don’t position them near a spot where your cat could hide and pounce. ● If you put up a nest box, use ones without a perch that have an overhanging roof. Put them at least two metres off the ground.…

RESCUE COMMUNITY We are building a section for people passionate about rescue cats Many thanks to Sonja K. Steiner for writing these stories as our rescue correspondent! Get in touch… If you’re involved with rescuing cats then we want to hear from you! Share your stories with us and we will publish them on these pages. Email editorial@yourcat.co.uk with the subject ‘Cat Rescue.’ WIGAN The dedication to rescue Janette Barton and Samantha Cartwright set up Cats Guidance Rescue, a not-for-profit registered charity based in Wigan, in 2018. They take in any cat irrespective of the looks, age, colour, and will provide any veterinary treatment the cat needs. Their vet Chad Northcott BVSc MRCVS at Vetcare Ltd has been so supportive of the rescue. Janette and Samantha work full time and…

Your Cat TOURIST GUIDE The fourteenth dinner guest We bring you feline-inspired hotspots from around the world and this month, we’re back in the UK to a black cat’s permanent place in a luxurious London hotel… Image: courtesy of Alamy Stock Photos. In the Your Cat Tourist Guide, we’re introducing our readers to some cat-inspired tourist hotspots around the UK and beyond. The Savoy, located on The Strand in the capital, is world renowned — but is also home to a famous black cat, who is nearly 100 years old! The statue of Kaspar the cat was carved in 1927 to act as the 14th guest in the private dining rooms if a party had 13 guests. Having an ‘unlucky 13’ number of guests was thought to be bad luck…