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Voting is free and only takes a few seconds @mygivingcircle - please vote at https://mygivingcircle.org/shropshire-cat-rescue So please just take a few minutes and make your vote to helps us. Our volunteers are working hard to care for our cats and also creating events that help the cats they care for but also people who love them.

There are 4 stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that are defined by the IRIS scale, these are defined by blood and urine test results in relation to the function of the kidneys. The main areas of focus when caring for a cat with CKD are food, drinking and toileting. Your veterinary surgeon will advise you on what stage your cat is. Food and feeding What your cat eats when they have been diagnosed as having Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can make a huge difference to them. A change to a Renal diet has been proven to help slow progression of the disease, it won’t cure but will slow the progression and can make a difference to your cat’s quality of life. It is vital you discuss with your vets before moving your cat onto a Renal diet as there are different foods suitable for different stages. There are a few specific renal diets on the market, and as cats tend to have particular likes and dislikes when it comes to food, the selection available means with some time and searching you will find the renal diet that suits your cat. Things to consider when choosing a Renal diet: What does your cat currently eat eg. wet, dry, mix? Do they prefer a certain shape of dry food or flavour? Are they a jelly, gravy or mousse/pate kind of cat? Does their usual brand make renal veterinary diets for cats? Changing your cat’s food should be done gradually over one to two weeks and not whilst they are particularly unwell; the reason for this is a food introduced whilst a cat is feeling sick for example can cause food aversion, due to the cat linking the food to that feeling; this is the reason why prescription diets are not introduced during hospitalisation at the vets. Feeding a veterinary prescription diet within a multi cat household can be tricky. Ideally you need to be able to feed them separately and allow enough time for them to eat their renal food and not have access to steal the other cat’s food. Microchip feeders can be really helpful, you may only need the one, but this will depend on your individual cats eating habits. Due to CKD generally being age related there may be other conditions, like Osteoarthritis, that may benefit from raising a food bowl when you introduce changes to feeding places. For example, Gizzmo is a large breed cat with Osteoarthritis, the microchip feeder on the floor was less accessible, so raising it up created a more suitable and comfortable position for Gizzmo to eat. Scent is very important for cats when eating so when your cat is reluctant to eat then try warming the food up for a few seconds in the microwave, ensure you check it is not too hot and only warm to the touch, warming the food can help increase the smell and encourage them to eat it. Food bowls needs to be away from the wall so the cat eating can survey their surroundings. Cat’s nature and instincts are all related to being solitary hunters; because of this, encouraging cats to eat can also be done by using puzzle feeders, there are a lot on the market, or you can get creative, empty toilet rolls with a hole cut into the side with dry biscuits in is an effective puzzle feeder. Water and drinking CKD causes cats to have a increased thirst and need for water to help prevent dehydration. Increasing the amount of water available and providing different locations and even new novel ways for them to access water is very valuable. Again, raising water bowls up, like food bowls, can increase intake by making it more comfortable for your cat. The general rule one water bowl per cat plus one, e.g., 2 cats = 3 water bowls would benefit with an increase of one or two more. Fill bowls right to the top, cats are reluctant to place their face fully into a bowl. Ideally, they need to be away from the wall so they can choose where to drink from and watch what’s going on around them. Provide water on every floor in the home. Indoor cat water fountains are great for those cats that enjoy drinking from running water, you are not always on hand to turn the tap on for them. Cats with access to outside need to have access to safe and clean water to help prevent them drinking unsafe water due to their increased thirst. A water fountain is great but needs to be kept clean and free from harmful chemicals. Get creative, for example a watering can that never has chemicals or additives in it filled to the top and left outside can be a safer outside drinking source than a puddle. Something new on the market to help – Purina have a nutrient rich water supplement that can be given alongside a renal diet and water called Hydracare and helps cats maintain hydration which is very important for cats with CKD. Please note before feeding Hydracare always check with your vets that it is suitable for your cats individual needs. Toileting Facilities Due to CKD causing increased urination it is extremely helpful that even a cat who always goes outside has access inside to a litter tray, to help reduce stress and in house soiling. The general rule of one litter tray per cat plus one e.g. 2 cats = 3 litter trays. Depending on age and other health conditions adapting a litter tray to have a very low side can help those cats with Osteoarthritis. Using small sized litter granules can also help as treading on larger sized litter like wood pellets can be uncomfortable. Place a litter tray on every floor of your home. Ensure they are away from busy and noisy areas. Avoid placing them next to entry and exits too. Choose a litter tray that suits them, some prefer uncovered litter trays where others choose a covered litter tray. Cats are very smell sensitive and the use of scented cat litters or liners can put them off using the litter tray. Make sure the depth of the litter is about 3cms as this has been shown in studies to be preferred as the cat has enough to dig and then bury its business. Clean out any soiled litter asap and completely change the cat litter every week and clean the tray. Ideally use soap and hot water or an unscented specific litter tray cleaner to ensure that the product you are using is not toxic to cats. Note: Amonia based products will put the cat off using the litter tray If they are not using a litter tray, try moving its location. If they don’t use any litter trays you may need to consider trying different cat litters and/or litter trays but don’t do this all at the same time otherwise you will not know what change means they now want to use it. If they go outside to the toilet help them by finding an area where they will be hidden, loosen the soil and add fine/play sand (not builders sand) to aid drainage. What to look out for: It is important to contact your vets if you are concerned in any way and even the slightest change in behaviour, can indicate a potential deterioration. Some changes to look out for are: Not eating and being unable to tempt to eat, (don’t leave it longer than 24 hours, especially if offering of food is accompanied by visible salivating). Appearance of disorientation, reluctance to jump, go out and moving slower and cautiously. Lethargy Weight loss. A weekly weight check at home could help identify any weight changes and be very useful. (Neonatal or baby scales are ideal) Changes in toileting increased or decrease use of the litter tray or house soiling. Check ups To monitor changes regular check ups are advisable to check blood pressure and undertake urine or blood tests depending on what the vet feels is necessary. Susie Phillips is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and has completed the ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour. Susie has volunteered for Shropshire Cat Rescue with her mum for over 5 years and loves it.

We had our first Book Buddies event yesterday and it was a huge success. Our volunteers and resident cats loved the day and from the response from our visitors they did too. Rudy the shelter managers cat who she hand reared from a day old ensured he entertained our visitors after they finished reading by stealing a stick toy from the gift shop and then leaping around playing with it with the children. There was a lovely atmosphere and the cats really enjoyed being read to. The more nervous cats became more outgoing and approaching when the children and adults started to read to them. It really showed how beneficial reading to cats can be for people and the cats and we are currently working on a grant application so we can offer this to groups that would find it really beneficial but financially may struggle with transport costs. Of course we are also planning more dates for public Book Buddies events like yesterdays. If you work or volunteer with a group or school that you feel may find Book Buddies beneficial please contact us via sales@shropshirecatrescue.org.uk

Yesterday we had 14 volunteers from as far away as Stoke and Ludlow who came to volunteer from SPAR shops in the area. Preparing the shelter for Spring, they replaced rotten posts, cleared rubbish and pathways, trimmed hedges, walked the goats, mucked out, took down old fairy lights and spring cleaned some of the cottages in the village. The best bit is, they want to come back again to do some painting in the late Spring! Thank you so very much - team effort is a wonderful thing.

Molly our oldest Retirement Village resident turns 22 on 8th February we are asking our supporters to do something with 22 in for February. This could be give up crisps for 22 days in February or a sponsored 22 hour silence in February. The choices and options are endless and you could have some real fun how about pledging to play for 22 minutes a day with your cat in February. So lets have some fun and help raise awareness of Shropshire Cat Rescue and raise some funds to help us care for cats like Molly. You can always donate to our Retirement Village appeal and why not make it so there is a 22 in the donation e.g. £2.20, £10.22 or £22. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MoggiesRetirementAppealGivingTuesday?success=true

Why start brushing your cat’s teeth? Brushing your cat’s teeth will reduce plaque and tartar it will help increase gum health and reduce bad breath. When to start brushing? You can start from any age but starting when you first take home your kitten will mean the introduction will be quicker as they will still be learning and susceptible to new things. As your cat gets older it will generally take longer to introduce teeth brushing but it’s still achievable so don’t give up. If your cat has had a dental procedure check with your vets before starting to brush your cats teeth. This is to ensure their gums have healed fully. What equipment shall I use? Use cat products only. Some cat toothbrush sets have a finger brush in, these are not always safe for you to use as they are thin and your cat may inadvertently bite you. Only use specific animal toothpaste. Human toothpaste has Fluoride in which could cause toxicity if they swallow it. The foaming agents in human toothpaste can cause gastritis. Choose the toothpaste flavour you think your cat will like they come in chicken, beef, fish or mint. Step by step approach: Take your time and let your cat dictate the speed of progress from step to step. It may take days or weeks to get to the final stage but it’s worth it as it will mean your help can improve your cats dental health and reduce the risk of dental disease. Offer toothpaste on your finger, if not interested after few times then you can place a small amount on their nose. They will then clean it off and get used to the taste and may then start to lick off your finger. Spread your hand palm over the top of their head, wrap your second finger and thumb around their cheeks and raise your index finger so not to block or cover their eyes. Place their back towards you so they are less able to move away from you. Once in position gently lift their head up and slowly lift their upper lip with your thumb and the lower lip with your other hands thumb. Carefully start to hold your cat regularly throughout the day so they get used to being held in that way over the next few days. Introduce a cotton bud with toothpaste on starting at the back in circles and moving gently forwards, so they get used to the feeling. NOTE: If they lift their paws to stop you keep going with just the holding step so they get used to it more and then move back onto this step. Slowly introduce the toothbrush to them whilst holding them place the toothpaste onto the brush to increase acceptance. Then finally start brushing initially for 10 seconds and increase to 30-45 seconds. Don’t panic if the gums bleed a little initially as the gums improve in health with the brushing this will stop. If you have any concerns ask your Vet practice for help they will be pleased your taking on brushing your cat's teeth.

Thank you everyone for your support in 2022, we are looking forward to 2023 and ready to take on the highs and lows it may bring. We are hoping for more highs than lows.

Please can you support our appeal to help fund the Retirement Village, due to the sheer nature of the Retirement Village being for cats in their senior and super senior years they have an increased need for veterinary treatment due to age related illnesses. Our vet and medication bills for the whole shelter in 2021 were £39k, which averages out to £3.25k per month and this is paid for mainly from the proceeds of our shop, donations and fundraising. For 2022 the vet and medication bills are still in the region of £40k. A large proportion of this is due to the Retirement Village so we can ensure that our cats received the medication and treatment they need. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MoggiesRetirementAppealGivingTuesday?success=true The residents mostly come into us following their owners have gone into care homes, passed away or no longer able to look after them. On arrival they are assessed by the vet to ensure they receive treatment and medication needed. Dentals and Osteoarthritis treatment are the most common expense but vital to ensure that our residents are comfortable and enjoying a god quality of life. The new monthly injection for Osteoarthritis is costly but the benefits for the cat’s comfort is definitely worth it. Some of you may have heard about the escapee Retirement Villagers that after starting on this medication they began to climb out of the village and become Free Rangers. The new fencing installed earlier this year following the storm damage from last year was no match for the now agile Super Seniors. Highlighting the prevalence of Osteoarthritis in cats is important to us, a study in 2002 reported that 90% of cats over 12 years old had Osteoarthritis. Cats by their nature will hide pain being solitary territorial hunters means showing any weakness would be detrimental to their survival. So, they will still climb that 6-foot fence but the way in which they do it will slightly alter, using lower down steps to get up and then sliding part way down rather than jumping straight from the top. Our escapees have highlighted the huge benefit medication can have in providing them with reduced pain is a shining example of how we can really help our senior and super seniors enjoy life and be more kitten. The cottages and moggies mansion within the retirement village are heated by electric heaters, they are fully insulated but with the current price rises keeping our cats warm is becoming more costly. Some of the cottage doors need refurbishment and we need a few new cat flaps as the current ones are beginning to break due to becoming brittle with age. We also want to provide our less social residents that would prefer not to be snuggled up in a cottage with any others more choices by having a couple more enclosed outside dens. We are a 100% volunteer run charity. We receive no public funding and all monies raised come from our Charity Shop at 69, Mardol, Shrewsbury, sponsorship, donations, legacies, online shop and fund-raising events. Our open day events in 2022 helped raise awareness about us and also give people the opportunity to meet the Free Ranger cats and the Retirement Village Residents along with meeting the other animals including guinea pigs, pygmy goats, shetland ponies, pigs, ducks, chickens and Hector the dog. Our 'Paws for a cuppa', an outdoor cafe with homemade cake and cream teas was a hit with all who came along and our little on-site shop was busy too, although Rudi and the other Free Ranger cats either stole toys or made themselves comfy in the beds on sale. We understand that these are difficult times at present especially from the financial aspect for everyone but if you are able to donate even a small amount please #helpmakeadifference We have all the other ongoing bills to pay at the Shelter and a donation would help so much. Thank you all for your support it is very much appreciated by all the Trustees, volunteers and cats. Thank you for taking the time to reading this.

The cat rescue that's share of their post receives the most likes on Facebook combined with likes about it on their blogs. If we are successful it would really help and go a long way to help pay increasing bills. Check out our video of the Retirement Village to meet some of the cats in our care and how some of the money would help provide veterinary care for them. Whichever cat rescue wins it is a lovely kind gesture by Buy Rope and it is so lovely that rescue cats will benefit from their generosity.

The most important winter hazard to mention is Anti-Freeze and due to the importance, we have included the iCatCare information poster within this magazine issue. Please read this and pass on the information to family, friends and anyone who will listen. Seasonal Plants: Poinsettias – iCatCare advise that, although Poinsettias are potentially poisonous for cats and dogs, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service has advised that over half the incidents reported to them involving these plants do not show symptoms of actual illness. This being said, it is still not advisable to let your cat near enough to a poinsettia to eat it. If you want these seasonal plants, then place them where cats can’t reach them. Common signs of poinsettia poisoning to look out for are vomiting, hyper-salivation (dribbling a lot), anorexia (not interested in food at all), lethargy and depression. Mistletoe and Holly – these also need to be kept out of reach and be careful that falling berries are not eaten as these can cause stomach upsets. Ivy and Christmas Cherry - due to possibly causing stomach upsets these should be kept away from cats who are inquisitive and chewers. Cyclamen – Due to their rancid taste caused by the triterpenoid saponins in these plants, it is unlikely that a large amount will be eaten by cats. If it is, then the effects of eating them usually occur within 4 to 6 hours. Common symptoms are hyper-salivation, inappetence (no interested in food), vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cats an allergic reaction may occur. Christmas Trees and their Decorations: Real Christmas Trees – The dropping needles are easily eaten by cats and cause stomach upsets, so it is advisable to vacuum regularly around the tree. Real or Artificial Christmas Trees – These are super inviting for cats to climb and can topple over with the cat and decorations flying in all directions. Making sure the tree is as stable as possible is vital to prevent damage to your tree and potential injuries to your cat, particularly if they get tangled in the decorations or broken ornaments. It is best to avoid glass ornaments if you have cats. To prevent artificial trees toppling over they can be screwed onto a solid square base. Round ones are less stable. Decorations: Fake Snow – Fake snow and similar products are easily eaten or licked off fur and can cause stomach upsets. Tinsel and Lamenta – These are highly attractive to cats as the light reflection from them catches their attention and invites play which may result in pieces being swallowed. This can cause problems within the digestive system and may cause a blockage. If your cat does pounce on light reflections, ensure that tinsel is kept out of reach and avoid lamenta altogether as it is easily swallowed. Your cat might need major abdominal surgery to remove it as the long pieces can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. Tree Decorations – These are particularly attractive to cats and ensuring fragile breakable decorations are not placed on trees is essential. Inquisitive and playful cats will undoubtedly remove some of the decorations and play with them. For this reason, avoid glass and other fragile ornaments as these are likely to shatter and cause wounds to the cat’s paws and if swallowed, to the mouth, throat and even the intestines. Christmas Lights –The wires on Christmas lights can be very inviting to inquisitive cats, especially those who like to chew. Cable tidy covers are available to avoid wires being chewed. Placing wires so they are not mobile or dangling within a cat’s reach will help reduce their attractiveness. The position of plugs if using extension cables should also be considered. Some cats struggle to cope with the extra stress of Christmas and may urinate in undesirable locations. Electrical wires are often a target in these circumstances; a combination of urine and electrical sockets is not a good mix. Reducing Risks – · Distract your cat from a Christmas tree that is proving too attractive by playing with his favourite toys in an area away from the danger. · Introduce puzzle feeders as these are brilliant for entertaining cats as they use their problem-solving skills to get to the food they contain. (see article about the benefits of puzzle feeders and how to create your own). · Let your cats investigate the new items, but under your supervision and be aware a real tree will have all sorts of smells on it, so they will probably be very intent on smelling it carefully. · Fast movements can grab a cat’s attention so set lights on a slow change or steady to help prevent attacks. · Trees in particular can become ambush sites so be careful where you position yours as it could become the centre for cats who normally play and pounce on each other which would increase the risk of the tree toppling. Important Do Not Punish Your Cat - Remember that the new and novel items entering our homes around this time of year are seen as things which must be explored. Cats do not understand they are out of bounds. It is vital that cats are not punished for simply being cats, as punishing them will result in confusion, fear and stress. This could damage your relationship with your cat because you have become someone to fear. Note: Excluding cats from the room you have decorated for Christmas, whilst preventing accidents, can potentially cause stress and frustration especially if this is normally a room in which they spend a lot of time. If you need to do this ensure the exclusion is gradual and provide more safe places around the rest of the house. Introducing Feliway and/or Pet Remedy may also help throughout the festive period. Take a look on the iCatCare website which has information about helping cats through this potentially stressful time. www.icatcare.org/kcs-christmas-safety/ Candles and Essential Oils – These items have various hazards for your cat. · The flickering nature of candles can attract a cat’s attention, resulting in singed paws or even fires if the cat knocks over the candle. Cat’s tails can become singed as they move past so candles must be placed well out of reach and must never be left unattended. · Candles can also contain essential oils along with other chemicals or items poisonous to cats. Not all, but some cats may bite candles, particularly small round ones that when unlit get knocked on floor and used as a toy. · If essential oils like eucalyptus and tea tree get onto a cat’s fur they can then be ingested during grooming. Signs of Ingestion of Essential Oils: Skin irritation, hypersalivating (excessive dribbling), vomiting, lack of interest in food, coughing and becoming dehydrated. Other signs can include appearing wobbly and drunk, with muscle tremors or convulsions. It is essential to contact your vet if your cat has swallowed an essential oil or groomed after getting some on its fur. Do not wait for symptoms to occur if you see this happening. Food Risks: Chocolate – it is not as toxic to cats as dogs, but it should still be completely avoided and if a cat does eat any you may see vomiting, diarrhoea, a drunken appearance, excessive drinking, trembling or seizure activity. Grapes and Raisins – Similar to chocolate they are not as toxic for cats, but they can still cause kidney damage so don’t leave out the mince pies or Christmas puddings and certainly don’t feed them as a treat. Increased thirst and urinating after eating something containing grapes or raisins can occur but it won’t be instant and may occur sometime after it has been eaten. Turkey and Other Poultry Bones – Turkey bones cannot be digested by cats and can cause problems by blocking their digestive system which would result in surgery to remove them. To be safe avoid giving your cats any cooked bones and ensure they are not left out and the bin is cat proof. This also includes when put outside as other cats or animals may raid a meaty smelling bin. Human Food – It is very tempting to give treats to cats at this time of year but giving them excessive amounts of food uncommon to them can cause stomach upsets. A small amount as a little treat may not cause issues but remember that cats don’t know they’re missing out if they haven’t tasted that treat before. The Animal Poisons Line is run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service. You can call their helpline if you are concerned or unsure that what your cat has eaten or licked off its fur is poisonous. Their website is www.animalpoisonline.co.uk and the helpline number is 01202 509000. If you have any concerns that your cat has possibly ingested any poisons or hazardous items then please call your Veterinary Surgery immediately. Information from: BSAVA/VPIS Guide to common canine and feline poisons. iCatCare – www.icatcare.org VPIS - www.vpisglobal.com Animal Poison Line – www.animalpoisonline.co.uk

Puzzle feeders help to mentally stimulate cats as they need to use their problem-solving skills and engage their hunting instincts to obtain their food. These can be as simple as an empty toilet roll with dry food placed inside to a feeder where they need to open compartments. The “no more bowls” system which encourages cats to search for their food thus engaging their hunting instincts. The food placed inside and you hide the mice around the house for them to seek out. A good quality complete dry food is perfect for all of these. Puzzle feeders are a great way to help cats who need help reducing their weight. Our pet cats have descended from a solitary hunter which would hunt small prey throughout the day and night, their digestive system suits eating small amounts of food regularly rather than less frequent large meals. Puzzle feeders provide food in a way that links cats to their ancestral and natural instinct, whilst helping to keep them active and engaged. Using their dry food in the puzzle feeders it is essential you weigh out their food daily to prevent giving them too much throughout the day. Top Tip: Weigh out their daily dry food allowance once a day and keep in an airtight container and take food from that to go in the puzzle feeders. Wet food puzzle feeders are available too. These are slightly different to those used for dry food but are as effective. It is less easy to get creative as cardboard gets soggy, but you can adapt plastic items destined for the recycling, ensuring that cut edges are smooth or covered over as they can be sharp. Take care when cutting that you don’t injure yourself. Introducing puzzle feeders does need to be done carefully to ensure your cat doesn’t get frustrated with it. If there are difficulty levels involved in the puzzle feeder then set it at easiest to start with. Place a small amount of food next to it to entice them towards it. If nothing comes out for them initially help them so that they get a reward for effort put in, then leave them to carry on working it out. Tips for choosing the right style of puzzle feeder for your cat. Watch how they play, those who love balls may suit a puzzle ball. Watch how they eat or drink, do they use their paws? Then stacked toilet rolls or puzzle feeders where they reach in and pull out the food. Get creative: On a wet afternoon why not get the family involved in creating puzzle feeders for your cats. All you need is some imagination and items destined for the recycling or bin which can be converted into a puzzle feeder for your cat. Note – Please be careful if cutting items and those which may leave sharp edges ensure these are smoothed off or covered to prevent injury to yourselves or the cats who are going to use them. We now have puzzle feeders available on our online shop, take a peep their are some specifically for cats and others created for dogs but cats adapt to using these too by using their problem solving skills. https://www.shropshirecatrescue.org.uk/for-pets