Firstly, buying tins and pouches of cat food is how the vast majority of people feed their cats, which is perfectly fine, and you may notice on the packaging the manufacturer recommends a certain amount of dry food in addition to wet food. This is important as part of balanced diet plus dry food can help stop and reduce the build-up of plaque on your cat’s teeth.

Cats generally eat a few small meals per day and often won’t eat a full pouch in one go. Little and often is key to satisfying their hunger and we recommend splitting their meals up this way. It’s best to dish out half a pouch each time as this will ensure the food doesn’t dry out or attract flies in the Summer months.

Cat food aside, the temptation is to feed your cat scraps or treats from your own dinner but it’s worth knowing what is and isn’t healthy for your feline’s tummy!

Fish is a food that is always associated with cats, but things aren’t so simple. Raw fish is a no-no and any fish you give to them should always be cooked. Just like us roasted, grilled or poached salmon is a healthier option for your cat, rather than fried. Never season the salmon or add other flavourings, dressings or ingredients, as these can be toxic to cats.

Salmon contains protein, omega 3 fatty acids and nutrients that are good for cats but it should not make up the main part of your cat’s diet. Cats can actually become addicted to salmon and could start to refuse other foods, so if you are feeding your cat salmon use it as an occasional treat, if at all.

Like salmon, tuna contains proteins, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins and is therefore great for cats but only in small quantities. The tuna should be cooked and never feed your cat raw tuna. Canned tuna isn’t the best option in terms of essential nutrients but if you do choose canned tuna, choose tuna water or brine rather than oil, as oil is fattening and not healthy for your cat.

It is important to note never give kittens tuna because they are much smaller and have a higher risk of developing steatitis, a feline intestinal disease, or mercury poisoning from consuming fish.

Believe it or not, despite the expression “The cat that got the cream”, you shouldn’t give your kittens or cats dairy products. Most cats are actually lactose intolerant! Sure, he or she will lap it up but it is best to avoid it. 

On the topic of drinking, many cats don’t drink as much water as they should and their dislike for water can lead to a dehydrated cat. One trick is to leave small dishes or pots of water in different locations, such as in the shade in the garden, by the cat flap and beside their food when feeding your cat. Ensure you refresh the water rather than leaving it there for days. No one likes stale water!

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If you’re not a runner, don’t worry – you can donate or volunteer your time to help us out.

Thank you!

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On the day the rescue we transported some of the dogs and the guards transported the rest away from the property in question. Once we had taken the dogs to a safe location, some of them were picked up by the other charity the next day. From this location, all the dogs went to be checked by a vet to assess their conditions, and the vet then vaccinated and microchipped all the rescue dogs. Two of the older dogs that were rescues were also neutered to prepare them for rehoming.

After a few weeks, in co-operation with another SPCA we started to look at rehoming the rescued dogs. It took about two months to successfully rehome all of the dogs. While we were searching for their forever homes, the dogs recovered at boarding kennels.

The boarding kennels we use are run by an ex veterinary nurse.  Her team assess the dogs from a behavioral perspective and reports back to us. This helps us to make sure that we can match the right dog with the right home. The boarding kennels also work with the dogs to socialize them and make sure they are ready to be rehomed. This way we give the dogs the best possible start with their new family.  We are delighted to say all the rescued dogs have now found their new forever homes. A happy end to the tail for these furry friends.

Without your support, we can’t afford to run these rescue operations, or keep the rescued dogs in boarding kennels – which provide such important support in rehabilitating these dogs for their new lives. The bill for this rescue came in at over €6000! Each dog costs €10 a night in the kennels – this €10 goes a long way as it covers boarding, food and the socialization; which is a vital part of the journey to send these dogs on their way to happy homes. Like all charities, Covid has hit us hard and we haven’t been able to raise funds in the usual ways. If you would like to help us, please donate whatever you can, become a member or volunteer your time to help.

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Agenda for the meeting:

• Recieve and consider the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2020;
• Review the Directors’ report
• Appoint/reappoint Directors to the board;
• Transact any other business as required

As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the challenges it presents with both travel and social distancing, the meeting will be held online.

If you would to attend the meeting, please eMail chairperson@kilkennyspca.ie or send a text message to 087-2801668. A Zoom link will be sent to members prior to the meeting alongside the Financial Statement 2019-20.

We hope to see you there.

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