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The East Renfrewshire branch was started in May 2000, our quarterly newsletter is called “What’s New Pussycat”. It costs just £5 per annum to become a member of the East Renfrewshire branch and to receive our newsletter.
Homing Statistics
Since the branch started in 2001, on average, we home a cat or kitten every 2½ days.
Are there human health benefits in owning a pet?
Scientific research shows that contact with animals can bring real physiological and psychological benefits: reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, aiding recovery and boosting changes of survival after a life-threating illness.
Studies have shown that pet owners have measureably lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure (where not linked to dietary changes). Pet owners often say they are able to talk to their animals at a time when they felt unable to share their feelings with other people.
In fact, a large scale study, presented in 2004, highlighted that of the 11,000 people surveyed over a five year period, pet owners made 15-20% fewer annual visits to the doctor than non-pet owners.
A study conducted by Cats Protection of 500 cat owners aged over 55 years revealed that 82% found their cat helped them overcome feelings of stress, and 62% said cat ownership helped overcome feelings of loneliness.
The same survey looked at 100 cat owners aged 13 years and under, which concluded that 80% said their cat helped them get on better with family and friends, and 87% of children regard their cat as a "close friend". A five year study of 600 children aged 3-18 years revealed that pet owning children who are slow learners or whose parents have divorced cope better with life than those who don't have a pet. Scientists found that the children have higher levels of self-esteem and function better than those without pets.
Another study surveyed 100 people aged 20-40 and confirmed tolerance towards cats may exceed tolerance toward human relationships! Nearly half of all respondents enjoyed a better night's sleep with their cat on the bed than they did with their partner in bed! 60% said they could put up with their cats bad breath, but not their partners! And 55% would tolerate their cat taking most of the bed covers at night, but not their partner doing that!
Be a responsible cat owner .... Have Your Cat Neutered
A neutered cat is less likely to catch life-threatening diseases such as FIV and FeLV. These diseases are transmitted through saliva, often during catfights. Neutered cats are less aggressive and so fight less.
Unneutered female cats breed....From the age of six months a healthy female cat can have up to three litters each year with five to six kittens in each litter. That adds up to 18 good, caring homes to be found each year; just for one cat’s kittens.
And breed....There is no good reason to let a cat have one litter before spaying. It costs far more to feed a pregnant cat and then her kittens than to pay for the spaying operation. There is a common misconception that a female cat should be allowed to have one litter of kittens before being spayed. As a cat can have no anticipation of motherhood, there is no benefit to the cat from having a litter. A cat only recognises a kitten when it squeals at her the first time she gives birth. This first experience provides the memory so therefore it would seem kinder to spay before the first pregnancy.
Unneutered male cats smell....An uncastrated male cat marks his territory with strong smelling urine, indoors as well as outdoors.
Unneutered male cats wander....He will disappear for days or weeks, often turning up injured or ill from untreated wounds. Most cats killed on the road are unneutered toms.
Unneutered male cats sing and fight....He’s out every night, yowling and causing trouble with the neighbours and their cats.
In praise of older cats....
Nowadays, cats live much longer than in the past and the fact that some ailments are more common in older cats doesn't mean that all older cats develop them. A great many cats reach their late teens and twenties with little or no sign of deterioration, gliding gracefully into old age by simply slowing down their pace of life.
Older cats are generally quieter and more sensible than kittens or young cats. They are usually used to household life (more likely to doze while leaving your furnishings intact!) and know the ground rules of living with people.
The mature cat is more placid than a kitten and usually content to spend much of his time watching the world go by. He is more home-loving and settled, making an excellent companion. If you enjoy pampering your cats, an older cat enjoys the attention more than a kitten.
Although there is not much variation in size, an older cat is fully grown and you can see what you are taking on: large, small, long-haired or short-haired. The cat's character is usually more evident, allowing you to adopt a cat that suits your own personality and lifestyle. With adult and older cats, it is easier to find one that matches your needs. These wonderful pets are used to human attention and enjoy the love and security that a caring owner can provide.
If you have a garden, older cats will happily potter about the garden with you. They are usually much more home-centred and less likely to wander off on long hunting expeditions than a younger cat.
If you have read this with a view to adopting a cat, we hope you will seriously consider taking an older cat. Cats Protection are looking for homes for mature cats that, through no fault of their own, find themselves with no-one to take care of them. They do not ask for much ..... a warm fireside, a bowl of food and a little love ..... they give so much in return.
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Last Updated
20 November 2008
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