Pet corner
For some kitties, a life means ‘nine’. APAA (Association for Protection of Animals Algarve) has all of their nine truly at heart.
The problem? Too many of them. The reason? Their gestation period, around five weeks. Puss will have three or four litters a year.
SNiP, APAA’s important programme for neutering and spaying of animals, whether abandoned, lost or found, attempts to reduce the feral felines’ reproduction at a phenomenal rate.
The answer is obvious: when you get a pet, snip it! Unfortunately, funds are not always available to those already counting the costs of feeding… APAA are able to help with their re-homing, SNiP programme, funding, etc
Zélia Santos and friends run roughly 12 cat colonies, each with 25-30 cats, perhaps more. Trevor and folks in the Lagoa-Carvoeiro-Ferragudo areas feed and re-home cats, with the aid of APAA’s SNiP.
Cats have an uncanny sense of what is up! Even if food is a temptation, when they see someone hiding nearby with a net … off! Gaining trust means arranging a specific area where they can gather, feed, shelter and gradually grow to trust the cat carers.
The money for such colonies is raised through ‘Pop-Ups’, charity shops, donations and membership. Most important are the people re-homing our little darling delinquents. The Câmara Municipal de Portimão has given worthy donations over the years, recognising an enormous, ever-increasing cat population problem.
Talking of which … this week is our Cat Walk week.
Undeniably, a kitten, gorgeous, new, fluffy to die for feline, is top of the charts. But what about a cat already “done”? As in, star-of-the-show black, white-whiskered 12-year-old ‘Sooty’? Healthy, not a ‘dumpee’, unfortunately he lost its human-parents who died unexpectedly and needs the right ‘cocktail’ of tick boxes. ‘Sooty’ is good with dogs (woof!) but strangely not other cats (meow?). He’s an insider but likes a small outside ‘pouncing’ area. Cuddles and pats an absolute must! Don’t be put off, or purrturrbed, cats live a long healthy and active 16-18 years! ‘Sooty’ patiently waits.
The other three cat-walkers are kittens, three months old and eligible for the SNiP, with help from APAA, when five months old. Brother and sister, black and white twinnies; and little green-eyed cutie ‘Ruby’, bottled fed. Awww! All desperrrate for a good home, young enough to be ‘solo’ or part of a team.
Charity Shops:
- Alvor, Dunas Complex, Monday-Saturday 10.30am-2pm
- Silves, Rua Elias Garcias 20, Monday-Saturday, 10am-2pm. Packed with quality goodies. Bring or buy!
APAA information: contact Jenny Clarke on info.apaaportugal@gmail.com or visit info.apaaportugal@gmail.com
Zélia’s Cat Colonies always need extra assistance and cat food donations – zelia.santos@live.co.uk; Trevor also needs helping hands and cat food – trevor.impett@yahoo.co.uk
For insider info about ‘Sooty’, email Lisa: lisagdowling@yahoo.com
