Last Resort Rescue

27/01/2025

📚 Our BACK TO BASICS SERIES: FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

FIV is a virus specific to cats and is often erroneously referred to as "cat AIDS." It is similar to AIDS in that it attacks and weakens the immune system and there is no cure. Reliable information about FIV is plentiful on the internet. We encourage you to learn more about it!

Here are some quick facts:
➡FIV is transmitted through deep bite wounds.
➡FIV is NOT transmissible to humans or dogs.
➡Cats with FIV can live long, healthy, happy and normal lives!
➡Intact males with outdoor access are most likely to be infected.
➡Kittens may be infected before, during, or after birth (while nursing).
➡FIV is quickly diagnosed through a blood test.
➡If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, you risk its FIV status every time it goes outdoors.
➡FIV+ cats CAN live with non-infected cats as long as they can co-exist peacefully. (Remember, this virus is primarily transmitted through deep bite wounds. If the cats don't fight, there's little worry about transmission.)
➡In the U.S., approximately 2.5-5% percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV.

📢 EDUCATION IS KEY!!!!! FIV+ cats have a VERY difficult time getting adopted because of their status. In the past, they were immediately euthanized instead of put up for adoption. Help CHANGE THE PARADIGM! Educate others about the virus and how cats can live a long, healthy, normal life with FIV. Manage expectations. Let's get these cats in homes!

📢 If you're in rescue or doing TNR, please note:
➡Before you place a cat for adoption (or send it to foster in a home with other cats), it should be tested for FIV. Adopt that cat out with full disclosure about its FIV status.
➡Beware of false positives in kittens under 6 months of age!
➡You can place FIV+ cats in homes with other cats that are not FIV+. Educate the adopter and make sure the cats are not likely to fight with each other.
➡We don't FIV test the cats we TNR. Alley Cat Allies also holds this position.

Original content provided by Stray Cat Project.
Graphic of unknown origin.




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26/01/2025

SUNDAY UPDATE...
Some of you may have noticed that I didn't do one last week that was a) because not much happened and b) because sometimes our own life gets in the way (house renos) C) I was busy shopping around doing a large flea/wormer shop and it was late after that ..
This year so far hasn't been great for rehoming but then suddenly things pick up . We do only have limited space so until we rehome cats we can't help more , its often that simple as even if we want to help we have to be realistic in what we can do and the welfare of the cats in care already plus if a cat needs to come in as it hates others etc it really won't be happy sharing space with multiple cats .We do try to offer advice and direct homes .
Anyway last week Betty Boo did go to a new home but was struggling to make friends with the resident cat as she had not met other cats before and kept herself to herself in the cattery , not wanting to mix with the others if the doors were open . I hope she settles down soon as she loved her new parents when they came to meet her now she needs to adjust to having a brother .Its a shame we can't explain to them that's everything we do is for their own good .
This week 2 older kittens Taz and Tinsel were neutered and spayed so they are ready and waiting for a suitable home .Both are purr boxes who love a fuss .
Also spayed was feral cat Kaycie and to my surprise a home offer came in for her and Jodie !!! However of course it wasn't plain sailing and both stopped going in the cat carrier we put in their bedrooms to make moving them easier . I tried to get them this morning but getting older and with bad sciatica at the moment , it wasn't happening and both were on their guard .However Chai from Lucky Cat Rescue is fitter and younger than me came at teatime and had them both crated in no time . :) She also then delivered them to their new home in Alford as she was going that way ... Thanks Chai .This is another case of us small rescues helping each other to find solutions .
Onyx is now reserved and will be going to his new home in the next day or so I am happy today . I would love to find a home for the lovely Nancy next as she loves people but is not happy sharing space with the other cats and its upsetting the karma in the cattery which may also have been why the ferals were more stressed .
On to donations .... Kathryn sent some bags of towels , Michelle called round with stuff from her elderly cat no longer with her . One of these items was huge litter tray and this has helped Onyx with his wee problem which is great . June dropped in some old blankets and Phyliss the lady who makes our lovely blankets for the cats to take off to new homes with them came with a massive bag of 30! and some food and money . Su Jackson sent us some money today to which will help towards our cat litter order that needs to be made next week .
Rescue bills aren't just about food and vet bills but a huge amount each month is also spent on cat litter , flea and wormer but of course these are essential to the running of the rescue . And this week 2 spays and a neuter had to be funded too which is why we are grateful for any help and donations offered and of course an adoption fee in line with this .
One last thing the tabby cat found straying in Skegness still hasn't been reunited with its owners so if you know someone or have heard off a missing tabby recently please send them our way. It isn't chipped so we would need photos to compare .

22/01/2025

RESERVED ....Big friendly Onyx weighs in at 5.5 kgs .
Thought to be around 5 years old or slightly more
He's worm and flea treated and will be microchipped soon
He has been living on the streets all summer where he could go outside when he pleases he is gettin a but fed up with being confined which could be part of his issues(see below) .
He lived close to the A52 so whilst we don't home on busy roads he is quite road savvy .Home check and adoption fees apply .
No busy roads .
Sadly Onyx does have a problem and that is weeing outside of the litter tray sometimes at night .At first I thought it was as he had spent so long on the streets as a full Tom and probably never used a tray which of course happens a lot when cats come in .
He also was first of all surrounded by 4 unspayed females which didn't help his hormones . He did smell really Tom Cat for a while . Whilst he is much better and does use the tray he still occasionally pees on the lino when I shut him in his run at night time. I have tried hooded ones , 2 trays etc and he was clean for over a week last week so I thought we had finally cracked it but then he has done it again .
This hopefully will improve once he gets a home of his own and is able to spend time outside too but an new potential adopters need to be aware and able to cope with any accidents he might have. He is getting fed up in the cattery which isn't helping .
Obvioulsy he will need to be kept in for around 3/4 weeks to let him settle so would need a room with tiled or lino floor at night time .
Or maybe someone has a secure outbuilding he could live in but as a friendly outside cat .
If this is something you think you could cope with then please message via the page .He is a lovely cat who deserves a real home after his previous life and loves humans , children and other cats

21/01/2025

21/01/2025

We are still getting cats coming into our care that are not chipped as are all other rescues , sharing from another rescue .Also keep those chip details up to date .And although its not law spaying and neutering is an important thing to do if you love your animals .

17/01/2025

Have you seen me ?
Gus went missing 14th October 2024 from St. Valentines Way area of Beacon Park Skegness.
He is chipped and neutered .

16/01/2025

16/01/2025

📚 Our BACK TO BASICS SERIES: spaying and neutering

Let's continue our discussion on reproduction.....

SNiP Now shared this very informative post regarding female fertility and reproduction. They wrote:
"We have had a few calls from people worried their cats are in pain as they are exhibiting symptoms of yowling and other unusual behaviors (rubbing all over items). What these individuals are describing is their female cat having heat cycles which can occur in females as young as 4-months of age. Yowling, rubbing, raising the behind up in the air (lordosis reflex), spraying, the desire to go outside and find a mate...are all symptoms that can occur during a female cat's heat cycle. Sometimes females can appear more loving and other times females can have more aggressive tendencies during this cycle."

Remember that spaying a cat will eliminate these behaviors as well as help control the cat population. Please have your cat spayed by 4 months of age!

Content and graphic shared from SNiP Now .

16/01/2025

Do you need enviromental pest control ?
Jodie is a feral cat who came in with her 3 kittens .
She is spayed , chipped etc and is looking to earn her keep mousing in exchange for a warm bed, food and fresh water .
She does like regular naps but will be on call 24/7
An enclosed outdoor space will be needed for her to settle for a few weeks before being released to start work .

13/01/2025

UPDATE . Its appears by the amount of messages we have had there are many lost tabbies in the area which is of course very sad and worrying. Some have said its definitely their cat just from the photo but it isn't which is why we have to make sure it goes back to its right owner. I know the photo isn't very clear , that is on purpose but the cat does have some distinctive markings which I'm sure the owner would know about and probably show up in any photos .
Should anyone wish to have their lost cat (tabby or other) advertised on here just message us with some info .
FOUND...
WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS IS DEFINITELY THEIR CAT. WE NEED YOU TO MESSAGE THE PAGE WITH PHOTOS AND PROOF OF OWNERSHIP PLEASE. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASKING US TO CALL THE CAT BY A CERTAIN NAME, UNFORTUNATELY WE NEED MORE PROOF THAN THIS. CATS ARE VERY IGNORANT (EVEN OUR OWN IGNORE THEIR OWN NAMES THAT THEY'VE HAD FOR YEARS 😂) WE WILL GET BACK TO PEOPLE AFTER WE HAVE FED EVERYBODY. THANK YOU
This tabby cat has been found straying in Skegness and is now with us .
It is very friendly so must have had an owner at some point but sadly not microchipped so we can not reunite quickly .
It may have lost its chip but proof of ownership is required by giving us the right description and hopefully photos .
If you think this cat might be yours please get in contact and gives us any details that can clarify that you are the owner.
Descriptions are kept vague to ensure it goes back to its rightful owner so please don't ask us for more info. Hopefully the owner will then microchip especially as this is now the law.

12/01/2025

SUNDAY UPDATE .
Brr been a cold one all week but luckily all the cats don't seem to bothered by it even spending time in the catio if I open the door .Its better than rain and mud but I would still like it to warm up a bit now as the hosepipe etc is frozen making things harder work .
Betty Boo was spayed this week and has a meet and greet tomorrow , hopefully she won't be to shy and gets her happy ever after home .
Mr Fuzzy went yesterday , his new family love him and we hope he will get on ok with the resident cat as he can be a bit picky about which cats he likes . He so deserves a real family as he just loves fusses .
We had a lovely donation yesterday from Paws Fur A Cause from a fundraiser they did recently . It was a lovely surprise as I didn't know we were on their list of rescues they were going to donate too :)
Julie CM and Marilyn sent us some money to which will help towards our large cat litter order we need to place this week.
Belinda collected some items donated to Fenwold Vets Skegness for us over Christmas , included in this was some lovely hand knitted blankets which are great for keeping the cats cosy and also quick to wash and dry , a must this time of year .
There was also a few bits in our collection bin at fFenwold Spilsby but the cats destroyed some of it before I took a photo . ! Its not like they are never fed !
Janet dropped in some yarn and cat meat , which reminds me I must make some more catnip toys . There is a few on the fundraising page should you cat have received money for Christmas that they need to spend :)
Sarah picked up a cat tree on Friday from Marie Williams that was donated to us . I have to admit it is still sitting in the hall as Sarah has been in bed with migraine and being sick all day and we have been doing some DIY .
Lets hope next week is a bit warmer , not all off us get to laze around on heat mats and beds like these little ones :)
Last as yes I forgot :( The pretty tabby girls ,who's mummy sadly passed away , went to their new home today too and are already settling in :) . Their 2 sisters are still looking for their forever home

11/01/2025

WHY DO CATS KNEAD ?
If your cat chooses to knead onto your body, take it as a sign that it accepts you as a surrogate mother (even if you are a male).

Cats only knead their human when they are extremely content, happy to see you, or perhaps when they feel that it is time for noms even though you are having a lie in.

In any case, it can feel a little painful when they do it on your skin, but just grin and bear it, they won’t draw blood kneading.

When they are kneading, just imagine that they are saying to you:

“Hello there good looking. You’re looking radiant today, lemme say how good it is to see you and how much I like being with you. Also perhaps you may choose to give me a scratch behind my ears, or give me a tuna treat.