An Event With MOVE Community | 30 Nov, Saturday, 3pm, Love Kuching Foster Space

We are a diverse group of humans working for cats, and we love partnering with other non-profits, so hosting an event with MOVE Community, an LGBT+ support group, is right up our alley.

Let’s spend a lovely afternoon together to learn about rescue of cats in need, sterilisation of stray cats, adoption of pet cats and cat care.

When?
30 Nov, Saturday, 3pm, Ubi area
Exact address will be provided after sign-up.

Come join us in this event and extend our love and kindness towards animals. Sign up via Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/516984325065141 or email to myevent.move@gmail.com. For enquiries, please contact Andrew at 9011 3220. SMS & whatsapp friendly.

This event is organised by MOVE Community, warmly supported by Love Kuching Project and The Garden Slug

See you there!

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Lucky's story

A handsome senior stray cat from Eunos area

Lucky is a really cute cat who unfortunately was found to have a lump in his neck. Alice his rescuer got him to the vet, where the tumour was excised.

Where a tumour once was

Shortly after, he was found to have another tumour under his lower lip. Because of the location of this second tumour, it could only be biopsied, not removed. Removing a tumour from his lower lip would mean his jaw needs to be resized as well, a huge surgical endeavour with a lot of post-surgical stress.

The growth in Lucky's lower lip

Lucky was no longer suitable for living on the streets, because he would need monitoring and care that only an indoor environment could give him. Alice heard from our pet transport vendor about our foster space that provides intensive care for sick and injured strays, and it was timely that we had a slot for Lucky. He came over, eased in well, and now is so happy living here! Some cats really don't enjoy being confined but Lucky shows no indicators of stress, and doesn't even want to do anything except nap and sometimes roll around in his cat suite.

We waited about 3 weeks or so for the biopsy results, and in the meantime treated the pain he was experiencing. Because we did not want to traumatise him with oral medication that might hurt each time we feed it, we opted for painkiller injections. We also give him steroidal injections whenever his lip starts bleeding, because he will not let us touch it to medicate topically. In his food we give him homeopathic painkillers every day. He doesn't like the taste of some supplements such as curcumin which is an anti-inflammatory, but he is okay with other anti-inflammatories like colloidal silver.

He wasn't keen on eating at first, but with pain management he got to greediness. We also discovered he cannot say no to chicken soup. It isn't soup as we humans know it, his is just plain old chicken stock without seasonings, but if he doesn't get his soup he actually complains with meows and an occasion of bowl-flipping in impatience (soup was late that day). Both Elaine and Foster Care Volunteer Rashid take turns to boil up batches of chicken stock for him.

Lucky greedily eating chicken soup

After a long wait, his biopsy results came back, and the tumour was found to be non-cancerous! Which was good news of course. We then discussed pain management options with our vet, and we are continuing with injections of steroids and painkillers whenever necessary. Vet says we should administer natural painkillers and anti-inflammatories as well. So, that's everything that Lucky was already on from the time he came to us.

We would have reported Lucky's story earlier, but we wanted to share his biopsy results and what we would be doing for his comfort. Every story of illness or injury, should have a happy ending.

It is not entirely impossible that the existing tumour will turn cancerous. If it does, we will still take care of him, making sure he is comfortable, stemming the growth of the tumour, relieving his pain. Euthanasia will only be considered when his basic living functions of eating, drinking, moving about, and using the toilet are no longer present and not likely to return.

But that is going to be a while away. We love having Lucky with us right now. He is a portly old gentleman cat who really seems to like living here. Thank you, Lucky!

Lucky chilling out in his cat suite

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
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The full story: Dumpling, another glue trap kitten from Novena Square 2

On Monday, Nova's rescuers called us to tell us they found - another - kitten that was covered in glue, trapped in the ceiling inside Square 2 at Novena. This kitten like Nova probably tore self off the glue trap and ended up covered in the glue and traumatised. Dumpling was rushed over to our foster home.

When Dumpling first arrived

She is likely Nova's sister, but a bit more feral. She also has one eye missing, instead of an eye it is an empty eye socket. The vet agrees that the eye was either born missing or it was lost (maybe eaten by the very rats Square 2 is breeding) at a very early age. Likely cross-Siamese, she has lilac/chocolate markings on her ears and at the tip of her tail.

Still stressed

After many olive oil and shampoo baths, she is more or less clean now, and will need a lot of socialisation to become adoptable, chances of which are already stacked against her because of her missing eye. After which, she will see the vet again for vaccinations and be made available for adoption. She is now about 9 weeks old.

Almost completely free of sticky glue now

We wrote to Far East Organisation, asking them to remove all glue traps on the premises, as well as provide us a written reply. Regardless of what your ethics about killing animals of any kind, the humane option is to opt for the least painful option of pest control, as well as targeted pest control measures for the specific pest problem. Glue traps cause slow and painful deaths, and are indiscriminate as they do not always trap rats in the first place.

They have not responded, but the story has gone onto STOMP already. Feel free to write to any other appropriate channels in order to pressure Square 2's building management to respond swiftly. We will continue to post updates on Dumpling online as she gets better. Likely yet another bath today, and if no longer sticky, she can join Nova and his roommates.

Update 14 Nov 2013:
Have spoken with Square 2 folks and they were truly unaware about the horrors of glue traps as their external NEA approved pest control vendor was the one that proposed them. Have advised them to look at more comprehensive methods of rodent control, that is, looking at food sources and entry points, and looking at cage based traps that do not inflict slow and painful deaths nor leave carcasses in places away from the traps which will cause even more hygiene issues. Also advised them to consult with SPCA for complete list of alternatives as they have been campaigning against glue traps since 2009 and have more info. Security personnel have already been instructed to be vigilant if they hear or see any animals in distress and glue traps have been retracted. We also spoke to them about helping with TNR should they have a sizeable stray cat problem.

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

The full story: Nova, glue trap kitty from Novena

Last week, we got a call from cat angel Catherine regarding a kitten that got stuck under a generator, and after a harrowing rescue, was found to be covered in glue. This kind of glue is usually the result of kittens being caught on inhumane glue traps for rodents. Nova was sent over to our foster space that same day.

En route to our foster home

Debris stuck to his fur. Thankfully no visible torn skin

Catherine found a suitable adopter for Nova already, but this kitty needed a lot of rehab, and also house training, first. He was a gentle kitty who loves other cats older and younger, even Scotty the puppy. But he was unable to eat on own despite being 6 weeks old. He was also quite traumatised at first, obviously.

Scared at first. Diffused geranium essential oil for him

Penned alone at first, but he sought out his neighbour

Glue needs to be removed with olive oil baths, but his temperature was not stable, so he couldn't be bathed for too long, and needed shorter baths daily at first. We also clipped away fur that was very clumped together, so he has some bedhead fur now.

Bathed with olive oil, shampoo, powder daily

Eventually his fur got much cleaner, and after needing handfeeding at first, he got together with Celine the current foster mom available and suckled on her. He also made friends with Tuna and Timon and even helped groom them like the older brother he found himself to be. (NB: Timon, the runt, later passed away from Fading Kitten Syndrome, something we always feared would happen with him as he was sickly from the get go).

Nova after being nursed by his foster mom

Good friends with Tuna who is younger

Learning to eat solid food already

Fur no longer requires daily baths

Nova will go to his new home once we ascertain he can be independent from his foster mom.

Many kittens that get trapped on these glue traps, which SPCA is routinely advocating hardware stores to stop selling, end up getting skinned, or starve to death on the traps. Also, these traps very rarely actually catch any rodents. Usually kittens and lizards are the ones found on such traps. The glue is also toxic to humans.

How can you help prevent more of such accidents in future? If you live near any hardware stores, advocate for the sale of more effective and humane rodent control traps. Even the older spring operated traps are more humane and successful at pest control. At your workplace or private residential estate, speak to the building manager about stopping the use of glue traps. One of our cat angels Vivienne has shared a sample letter to hardware stores to help you in your advocacy work. Yes, you, an animal welfare advocate! Because we all can do our part.

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

The full story: Edgar from Eunos Crescent

We usually try not to post gory pictures of injured or abused cats, because it may only break all of our hearts seeing them, when action to help the cats is more important instead.

However, last week this boy Edgar came to our doorstep via an emergency rescue by Edmond who was passing through Eunos Crescent. Edgar looks like he has been burned by something, possibly chemical, we will not know for sure, so we cannot be certain he was abused.

The other side of his face is the same

We brought him to the vet to get a skin scrape to see whether there is any secondary infection of any kind. Turns out he has a bacterial infection, likely staphylococcus. The wound needs debriding and daily medication with Bactroban, an antibacterial cream. Edgar is also on oral antibiotics.

Softening scabs with saline to aid healing

His wounds have turned less septic, which is a good sign, and he is still undergoing treatment here. He bears with the wound care very well, purring every time we clean and medicate his wound, and experiencing lesser pain as the days go by. He has been eating well from the first day, which is always a good sign.

Handsome, chillout Edgar

Edgar came to us at about 7 weeks old estimated, and he is due for another vet check and his vaccination when he recovers from the injury. We are also reporting his progress to Dr Chong in the meantime, to make sure his infection is on track to recovery. He will then be made available for adoption.

He is a very sweet boy, easy going, and enjoys cuddling. We hope to get to know him more, as he eventually gets to interact with the others in the foster home.

Edgar cuddling with his Auntie Elaine when at vet

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Connor from SPCA [@SPCA_sg]

Connor is a handsome silver tabby British Shorthair cat we are fostering for SPCA. He took over Peyton's place, as part of an ongoing foster partnership we have with SPCA. He has a bite wound on his side, and came to us with some flu' symptoms as well. He has been healing well, and when he does, will return to SPCA where no doubt if slated for adoption will be easily rehomed.

We apply Duoderm gel on his wound to help speed up the healing process and as you can see it is almost closed. Normally we would also feed him supplements but he is not keen on canned food at all, let alone with supplements added, so the healing is a bit slower. He has already completed his antibiotics course, no more flu' symptoms too.

He is a very charming cat except when our almost-as-large resident males, Scooter, Sealy and Scotty go near him, then he starts growling away in protest. Otherwise he is very easy-going, like a big teddy bear.

Why we foster for the SPCA

Where you can do the same

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to see more Connor and other kitty pictures!

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Alfie De Meow - cat themed jewellery line in aid of cat rescue groups

These hand painted wooded brooches is the first in Alfie's range of kitty inspired accessories!

Alfie De Meow jewellery is available online on Etsy, and at Dulcetfig at 41 Haji Lane. 10% of sales for the rest of this year comes to us! So, pin a brooch on your bag or outfit, help some cats, look awesome, support local.

The hand painted wooden cat brooches featured above retail at $12 per piece. 

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Conclusion of TNR sterilisation project at Changi Road

Last Sunday we went for the final time to the abandoned orphanage off Changi Road where adjacent to it is a back alley behind some shops. We trapped and neutered 3 cats. This brings makes a total of 7 cats sterilised and returned, including the 4 from the first round.

A consolation is that these 3 cats were from the rooftops of the shops, where they have been receiving food scraps daily from the second floor residents who throw food on the roof for them. They almost never come down, and we failed trapping any of these rooftop cats till now.

This Changi Road TNR project cost a total of $500.26. We should be using our Sterilisation Fund to pay this expense but it is in much deficit, hence we borrowed from our Stray Cat Fund which is meant for emergency and critical care veterinary expenses for stray cats, not sterilisation. 

After this project, we are going to Eunos industrial estate where at least 12 cats there need sterilisation, likely more. We are still appealing for funds to help alleviate the deficit caused by these 2 projects.

How you can help: 
Make a deposit to our Sterilisation Fund. HOW: Using internet banking, ATM or Cash Deposit Machines, make a deposit of any amount to our bank account POSB savings 188-52652-7, thereafter email us to indicate you have given for sterilisation expenses.

Sterilisation of stray cats helps in the following ways: alleviate overpopulation crisis, improve health of stray cats, reduce unwanted behaviour that usually triggers complaints or abuse by nearby humans. There are too many kittens born in colonies like these where stray cats go unsterilised: help us make a difference from ground zero.

Don't forget to spread the word! The blog post that links to the Eunos industrial estate TNR funds appeal is here: http://lovekuchingproject.blogspot.com/2013/10/urgent-tnr-need-in-industrial-part-of.html

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Tuna and Timon from somewhere near a dustbin in Tuas

Nadiah and her friend rescued these two babies who were found motherless at about 5 days old, near a dustbin. They tried to hand feed them kitten milk, but they rejected it. Tuna and Timon came over to ours where we hoped Celine would be willing to be their foster mom.

When they were first rescued

It wasn't too straightforward a process at first. The kittens weren't too able to latch on, while Celine's own hyperactive kittens kept trying to play with their new foster siblings. We isolated Celine and the two babies and finally they drank from her. After a few times of doing this, the kittens got the hang of it.

Suckling on their foster mom

Despite having a new mom who was still lactating, the kittens remained very skinny. So we supplemented them with extra kitten milk, colostrum, vitamins, to help give nature a boost.

Supplementing them with extra milk, supplements

Celine's kittens are at the age where they don't need much of mother's milk anymore, so she has time to focus on the new babies. Their cat suite is very overcrowded with 6 kittens and a mother cat, and we hope to upgrade them to a double story suite as soon as space is available.

Doing what baby kittens do: sleep

Tuna is the more lively one

Timon is a bit weak still

These little ones are now 3+ weeks old and can soon be dewormed. We are a bit worried about Timon who is apart from being skinny, showing third eyelids, indication of illness. Otherwise the basic vitals are okay. Will be keeping extra eyes on this one.

We hope they pull through; exciting journey ahead that is eating on own, playing with their foster siblings and each other, learning to use the litter tray, and then being made available for adoption. Keep your paws crossed for them!

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Yunis the cat from Eunos Crescent

We were cycling past Eunos last Sunday when suddenly we came to a halt. Near one of the bus stops, there was a cat, lying on its side on the covered walkway. It looked emaciated, so we stopped to see if the cat was okay.

Turned out she wasn't. Apart from being very thin, she had wounds all over her body, and her eyes were bloodshot. Despite not having a pet carrier we managed to bring her back to the foster space so that we could help her recover and become strong again.

Yunis was spotted lying weakly on the pavement

The whites of her eyes were red

Wounds like these all over her body

We were worried there might be some internal injury, and so we asked the vet whether she would need immediate emergency treatment at a clinic. Yunis was able to eat, and walk. Dr Chong replied saying that it is likely nothing internal because her basic functions where there as per a normal cat. So we got her to the vet the next day when The Animal Clinic was open.

We got her on antibiotics, and applied topical medication to her wounds. Dr Chong examined Yunis and found that the bloodshot eyes were likely just an external infection, and it would get better with an antibiotic eye gel. We had some, applied it for her and the redness subsided. Her wounds got better by the day from the medications and supplements.

Some of the wounds are now less inflamed

Yunis is not neutered, so when she recovers we will neuter her before returning her to the spot where she was from. There are still two wounds that have scabbed over, but otherwise she has finished her antibiotics course and is busy getting fattened up a bit. She is a very extraverted and vocal cat, and is very young, possibly less than a year old. Eunos Crescent is a very popular dumping ground, and not far from where Yunis was found, we are planning TNR to neuter the latest colonies of abandoned cats. Find out more here, and be part of the solution to stemming further overpopulation in this estate.

Make a financial gift via a deposit to our POSB savings account 188-52652-7. Find out more.  
Become a monthly giver to help ensure our rescues continue getting their needs met.  
Feed and provide litter to the cats we foster via our corporate sponsor The Water Dish.   
Follow on us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.