Lost Cat

Missing after a run in with another cat on Friday 13th March 2009 at around 11pm - very friendly and talkative, very pretty sandy grey shorthair tabby female with distinctive stripy markings/swirls with fluffy caramel coloured belly.

She is around 5 years old. She likes to get in small spaces/cupboards and is very curious of garages/sheds

Lost from the Duxford area. Any sightings, please phone +44 (0) 845 497 3718 (work 9-5pm) or
01223 830 702 (home)

Missing sparrow(s)

On Radio 4 last night. It seems to be conclusive that cats are not to blame and that loss of garden shrubbery to "easy-care" decking and concrete is a more likely culprit, because it reduces the number of insects on which sparrows feed their chicks.

Natural England have a database which lets you find garden plants that are particularly helpful for different animal species. There is an entry for house sparrows.  

Stray ferret

Dave Dodds of the local ferret rescue very kindly agreed to take last night's stray ferret, found wandering in Girton. We'll cover seven days boarding with him, plus the cost of neutering. If you've lost a ferret in the Girton area, please email Dave at dave_dodds@hotmail.com

If you're thinking of getting a ferret as a pet, please consider adopting a rescue. Dave nearly always has lots needing good homes, and because he is very knowledgeable he's well placed to give you advice to get you started correctly.

Thank-you!

Thanks to Scaltback School, Newmarket who have raised £150.00 from a Swimming Gala for the RSPCA.

Science books at 188 Mill Road

In honour of Cambridge Science Festival, the RSPCA Bookshop is featuring a display of second-hand science books. We have some excellent bargains, including a copy of the classic Infant Chimpanzee and Human Child.

Another benefit of getting your cat chipped

You can now get cat flaps which detect your cat's chip in order to release the locking mechanism. This ensures that only your own cats can use the flap without the use of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous collars. Cat flaps can sometimes be a bit of a mixed blessing for a timid cat because of the risk that they might allow rivals to invade what should be a secure haven.

There are currently two UK manufacturers, PetPorte and Sureflap. The SureFlap system is nicely appropriate for Cambridge Science Festival fortnight as the technology that powers it was developed by Cambridge Resonant Technologies Ltd of the St John's Innovation Centre

Equine questionnaire

If you own horses, or ride regularly, please complete the questionnaire on planning for your horse's future at http://www.lockwooddonkeycentre.org.uk/questionnaire.htm

Animal welfare statistics for February

During February 2009, we treated 309 owned (199 dogs, 97 cats, 5 rabbits and 8 miscellaneous small animals) and 34 unowned animals (3 dogs and 31 cats) and rehomed six cats and one dog. We neutered 20 dogs 15 cats and 19 rabbits.

Vaccinating against myxomatosis

Spring is just around the corner, and with it will come the first of the two annual peaks of myxomatosis (the second is in the Autumn). If it is more than six months since your rabbit was last vaccinated then you need to be thinking of arranging for a booster.

Every year rabbits are brought to us suffering from myxomatosis because their owners did not realise that urban (even indoor) rabbits are still at risk, because the disease can be spread by biting insects. Vaccination does not provide 100% protection, but a vaccinated rabbit will almost always throw off the disease with no permanent ill effects, while an unvaccinated rabbit will almost always die.