So we need homes for three cats or a donation to the Association Truffes et Moustaches who can with Andrea’s help buy food for the cats till they can be rehomed.
Dear Val
I have, as you know been a 'half-way house' for years rescuing cats and kittens until they can be re-homed, and have been honoured to have raised 'tinies' that have been orphaned by 3-hour bottle-feeding on a regular basis...it is a passion of mine!
Local people have been super over the years in finding homes - John, of course was among those. Kathi has brought me numerous tinies and not-so-tinies to raise and care for as she knows I have an "open door" policy. There have been several other unpleasant occasions when people have dumped kittens in bags either in my garden or outside my door knowing the 'mad English cat-woman' will oblige! I would far rather that than the poor little souls were chucked into the Aveyron which seems to be the other option. The Mairie in St Antonin/SPA are very good about helping financially with the sterilisation process of cats that have been abandoned for lots of reasons, so we are lucky.
With 'Bandit', John's lovely old cat, I am up to 9 residents - and as Bandit has been local to me for years and is happy to be an 'out-side gentleman' he is more than welcome to join the family.
However, I have to draw the line somewhere.... my other rescue-ees get stressed when trying to integrate someone they don't know into their midst. This means that there are at present 3 of John cats being fed and watered in his house by kind neighbours - and this is a work-in progress for trying to find homes for them all . They will require food, litter and care for a while until this is achieved, and of course this is being donated at the moment.
The thought of having some financial help for caring for cats who are abandoned or homeless in the town is very welcome and would be appreciated. 'Caring' for these little souls includes socialising and spending time with them plus regular anti-flea and vermifuge treatments -and veterinary advice should they need that. They need not just to be ALIVE but to THRIVE.
It occurred to me that we could ask the Mairie if we could install small wooden cat-cottages where they can be safe and warm and away from harm. There are plenty of quiet corners in the town where they could be installed on sunny walls . So if we could attract the attention of a handy chippie who could make some little cat-cottages for them - and get some reclaimed wood it would save the cats hiding under cars and starving in the winter.
When I lived in Rome I was delighted to know that their stray city- cats are deemed Roman citizens and are under protection, and there are small armies of people who are glad to feed them on every street corner. They also have an amazing cat-rescue centre - called the "TORRE ARGENTINA SANCTUARY" ( Google it - it is fascinating!) housed in some ancient sunken Roman ruins that has become a world-wide tourist attraction - so it CAN be done ....so it isn't just a pipe dream! Food for thought!
It is really hard to try to re-home a half-starved frightened creature when, with some time and attention, they can be properly cared for and have a better quality of life. There are people around here who help when they can - winter and summer - and are unsung heroes for abandonees - John was one of these...and now we are doing our bit for him.
I am not very adept at technology but I will send three photos and a description .and once I am driving again I will be happy to help out at the 'Frip'. Many thanks again, Andrea x
donation for the cats food
Marked somewhere for John Sheridan Evans’s cats
des Truffes et des Moustaches
40 Chemin de Santou
82140
St. Antonin
taglines83@gmail.com
