Latest news with #cats
The Guardian
17 minutes ago
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary 1950: Everyday life at Dippersmoor Manor
HEREFORD: As I went up the pitch just outside my gate called Hangman's Hill a polecat passed on the road in front of me. The keeper on a nearby estate told me he had trapped about 40 in the last few years but had never seen a polecat alive. Ravens still build in the big wood. I saw one on a misty morning flying low down; it was croaking dismally. Sheep-shearing is nearly over; it must be a relief to the ewes in this fierce sun to get their mantles peeled off. So far my lamb has only gone round and watched the shearing. A hitherto indolent young tom cat has killed and eaten a large grey squirrel, leaving only the flat tail – a very sporting effort. And the old tabby cat has two coal-black kittens in the barn; I hope they may be lucky – they are certainly not beautiful and will, I trust, stay out there.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Seroja Inn: a sanctuary of hope for over 300 cats
Nurul Ain Abdul Hamid, founder of Seroja Inn Home Shelter, is deeply passionate about giving sick and injured cats and dogs a second chance in life. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) SHAH ALAM : Nurul Ain Abdul Hamid was still a college student when she rescued her first cat. She had witnessed the feline being hit by a car. To her dismay, the driver had not even stopped to check on the animal. Ain was not able to walk away when she saw how much pain the cat was in. She immediately rushed it to a veterinary clinic, and later reached out to a rescuer who took the cat in after it was discharged. This marked the beginning of Ain's journey into the world of animal rescue. In 2012, she founded Seroja Inn (SI) Home Shelter with her family. Today, the shelter in Shah Alam houses over 300 cats – but not just any cats. 'We focus on those that are sick, especially those in critical condition – for instance, cats with feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV is similar to HIV in humans,' Ain explained. 'There is no cure for FeLV and FIV. We will care for these cats for the rest of their lives, as it is hard to find adopters for them.' They also take in cats with parvovirus, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), fungal infections such as sporotrichosis, and those injured in accidents. 'We will treat these cats until they are healthy. Once they recover, we will spay or neuter and vaccinate them, then put them up for adoption.' Can you tell that these adorable cats are eagerly waiting for food? (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) Most of these cats live in a three-storey shoplot, while senior cats and those that are completely blind are cared for in Ain's own home. Taking FMT Lifestyle around the shelter, Ain, 32, shared that the first floor is primarily designated for cats undergoing treatment, which is why they are kept in cages here. Meanwhile, the second floor is home to healthy cats that are ready for adoption. Over 20 paralysed cats also live here. 'The third floor is where we quarantine new arrivals for at least two weeks before spaying, neutering and vaccinating them,' Ain pointed out, adding that most of these cats are her own personal rescues. Her compassion for animals also extends to dogs. Her late father, she revealed, had been a fellow animal lover who would also rescue canines. She recalls rescuing her first dog in Melaka after hearing it had been unable to walk and had remained in the same spot for days. Ain brought the dog to a veterinary clinic, where it received much-needed treatment. The felines charmed the FMT Lifestyle team with their catty antics. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) Today, SI Home Shelter also has 11 dogs in its care. Asked about her views about dogs in the context of her religious beliefs, she replied: 'In Islam, we can perform the 'sertu', a cleansing ritual done seven times. 'As a Muslim, I've never neglected my religious obligations just because I care for dogs. I pray, and I know how to purify myself.' Challenges and fulfilment Running a shelter is not for the weak-hearted: it's a commitment that calls for unwavering dedication, emotional resilience, and significant financial resources. Ain said the shelter's monthly operational costs exceed RM20,000, which cover food, cat litter, rent, staff salaries, utilities, and veterinary expenses. While it largely depends on public donations, Ain and her husband also contribute out of their own pockets. Her husband runs his own business, while Ain juggles a part-time clerical job and a small business selling handmade items such as toys. They also have a nine-year-old son with special needs. These shelter residents have found a place of safety, healing and love. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) Despite the many challenges, Ain remains steadfast in her mission. 'Once I stepped into the world of animal rescue, there was no turning back. These cats are my responsibility, and I can't abandon them.' For her, fulfilment comes in witnessing an animal's recovery after receiving proper care. 'I am happiest when they eventually find a new family,' she concluded. Connect with Nurul Ain on Instagram. To make a donation or adopt a furry friend, send a WhatsApp message to 013-513 1833.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Why milk is by no means a treat for your cat
Cow's milk contains high levels of fat and protein, making it highly palatable to felines.- but this doesn't mean it is good for them. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : The relationship between cats and humans goes back over 9,000 years. Attracted by rodents that swarmed around early crops, felines drew close to humans, forging a relationship that would last for millennia. Farmers soon found them invaluable as pest hunters. It was in this agricultural context that cats discovered milk, whether by prowling around cows or licking up spillage. The image of the cat drinking milk has thus taken root in our collective imagination, relayed by fairytales, films and cartoons. Unfortunately, science has now shattered this myth. While kittens can digest their mother's milk, everything changes after weaning. After six to 12 weeks, production of lactase – the enzyme essential for digesting lactose – drops drastically. As a result, most cats become lactose intolerant. This has an impact on their health: from diarrhoea and gas to abdominal pain and even vomiting, digestive problems linked to milk consumption are common. In some more sensitive felines, a milk allergy may even occur in addition to intolerance. This sometimes explosive cocktail can lead to more serious complications, such as dehydration or malnutrition. Like us, cats sometimes have a weakness for things that do them harm. Cow's milk contains high levels of fat and protein, making it highly palatable to felines. The next time you're tempted to give your cat a saucer of milk, give them a cuddle instead. (Envato Elements pic) One protein in particular, casein, releases a substance with a mild soothing effect once digested. Over time, this can create a positive association. But this in no way justifies regular consumption. Good at hiding their discomfort, a cat that drinks milk with pleasure may suffer in silence soon afterward. So, are there alternatives? Lactose-free or specially formulated cat milks can be given very occasionally. While these products avoid digestive problems, they offer no nutritional benefits. As for plant-based alternatives such as oat, soy or almond milk, these are just as problematic and potentially irritating for cats' digestive systems. In short, it's best to avoid milk in all its forms, as cats neither need nor want it. Their health depends on an appropriate diet rich in animal proteins and tailored to their specific needs. So, the next time you're tempted to offer them a saucer of milk, opt for a cuddle or a kitty treat instead. Their stomachs will thank you.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists discover mystery genes behind a cat's purr and behaviour
A new study from Kyoto University suggests that cats with a gene type associated with mixed breeds may purr more at their human companions. The study, published in PLoS One, assessed the behavior of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats and analyzed their DNA, focusing on the androgen receptor gene. Researchers found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene showed higher owner-assessed purring, while male cats with this gene exhibited higher vocalization towards humans. Female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression, and mixed-breed cats and rescues tended to meow more, contrasting with pure-breed cats who are more likely to carry the long-type gene. The findings suggest that longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats may have emerged due to domestication and selective breeding, potentially helping predict house cat behavioral tendencies and enhance feline care.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Suffolk sanctuary celebrates rescuing cats for 100 years
From the outside, it looks like any other terraced house, but behind the front door the Ipswich & District Animal Welfare Centre has provided a sanctuary for countless cats for 100 years. At a time when many sanctuaries are struggling to stay afloat, how has it kept going for an entire century? The Tardis-like house in the east of the town was opened for animals in 1925 by Margaret site, which is run by the Animal Welfare Suffolk charity, boasts 18 state-of-the-art kennels and an outdoor area for feral felines, at times caring for as many as 35 cats or kittens. Since 2012, it has been operated by a family which had been heavily involved with it for decades before taking over.A key to its longevity is "the fact we've been on the same site for 100 years, with people who have been here for 30 to 40 years," said the charity's chief executive Nick Chaplin. "You can still come in and talk to people who remember your family and the cat you took from us 25 years ago, so it has a long historical link to people within the community," he said. One of the dedicated volunteers and workers is centre manager Suzanne Tripp, who has been there for 28 years and said she treated every cat as if it were her own. She said animals were often handed into the facility in a "very poor condition" - a reoccurring sight that she said only spurred her on."We had a kitten in that had to have a leg amputated and we were told it had fallen off a sofa," she said."Well unless the sofa was on the roof then, no, it had been ill-treated."We would rather have the cats here than have people not care for them, so it's so satisfying to see them go out to new homes happy, fed and with glossy coats." The rescue centre also features a charity shop, with bric-a-brac, board games, ornaments and more taking over the front room and the lengthy of the money raised covers the cost of everything from a vaccination to a heating bill. It is an additional revenue stream at a time when independent animal sanctuaries across the UK are struggling to stay February, for example, the BBC reported how the Friends of Felines animal charity was at risk of closure after racking up a vet bill for £7,000. The site in Halstead in Essex, which cares for cats from across the East of England, said bills had trebled over Christmas due to the number of elderly cats it took in, as well as those suffering from a viral at the Ipswich centre, while the income from the shop helped, Mr Chaplin admitted it was far from enough."Every cat we look after costs about £1,000 before it is rehomed," he said."The whole place costs just over £100,000 a year, so we do need donations all the time. "We are quite fortunate that we have had people give us significant sums over the years; some years we will get £40,000 to £50,000, and other years we will get multiple hundreds of thousands."So, it does balance out, but that's over the years, not in any given year." The sanctuary also puts on an in-house animal clinic once a week to ensure that all pet owners in the area, regardless of their financial situation, can access veterinary care or advice at a fraction of the market price. It has proven a priceless service for so many at a time when the cost of vet care is surging. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), for example, prices for vet treatments grew by 60% between 2015 and 2023, compared with the general inflation rate of 35% over the same month a BBC investigation found some vets felt they were under pressure to "generate income" and more money per could vet practices themselves being doing more to drive down the cost of care?Mr Chaplin is not so sure they could."I work with a lot of vets and I don't think they overcharge," he said."The costs of medication have gone up a huge amount and the amount they have to pay their staff has gone up. "I know from the ones that we work with they do their best." To celebrate the sanctuary's 100th anniversary, a Spring Fair Birthday Party and open day will be held on Saturday at the centre on Cauldwell Hall Road, giving people the chance to see exactly what makes it so what does it mean to Mr Chaplin?"An enormous amount," he said. "My parents were here for a long time and my mum loved the place. "I remember being here when I was 14 playing with the cats. I know how much good it does and how good a place it is." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
