Rodneys Rescues

26/03/2024

Can anyone help get a kitten from New Plymouth to Palmerston North over next few days. Refused boarding at Whangarei airport and can travel to New Plymouth tomorrow

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SCGd2jRyvavLG8DE/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

02/03/2024

Two shy bonded brofurs seeking quiet home

14/01/2024

Just been advised that due to a recent post breaching Facebook rules removal of this page will occur. Crazy given no posts for a very long time due to settling into job. This could be a scam or just another vindictive blow by a rescue that made all sorts of false statements (if they had checked their own rescue comms before making accusations they would have felt pretty daft - or maybe even checked in but that's far to adult). I've also been overseas. Just got back. So no posts made for a long time.

Just so you all know I will continue to be working with cats in ways that have ethics, recognise legal requirements, meeting Code of Welfare at all times as well as being financially transparent.

I will continue to provide community assistance for cat Desexing and affordable microchip implants and registrations.

Cheers

16/11/2023

Awesome advice re kits..especially why rescues ask to have kits 8 weeks and under ..the sooner the better. If you wait till they are not as cute it is usually too late

The most important part of your cat’s life 🐈🥰

The Formative Period is a period of rapid cognitive, social, emotional and physical development which we humans experience, dogs experience and cats experience too. It’s when an animal learns all the key behaviours they need for life.

When a kitten gets the right experiences during this time, they are set up to be happy, confident and well-adjusted into adulthood. When things go awry, it can have dire consequences.

A cat’s Formative Period for socialisation is between 3 - 9 weeks, much shorter than dogs because they are ancestrally a solitary species. During this period, the kitten’s brain is developing and wiring up at an incredible rate, they are learning who their family is and what to expect from life.

During this period, it’s important for domestic cats to have extensive contact with humans. If cats aren't socialised with humans during their Formative Period, it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to live happily in close contact with humans in future, they can become feral easily soon after this period.

This is also a time to get domestic cats used to all the different experiences they may have during their life with us:
- Being handled and petted
- Being crated
- Harness training them is a great idea at this stage for management and walking
- Car travel
- Exposure to friendly dogs
- Exposure to other household pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens
- Exposure to unfamiliar noises like traffic, music, TV etc.
- Play

Finally, a kitten’s exposure to prey and hunting in this Formative Period can impact how much they hunt as an adult cat. Given our incredible native bird population in New Zealand, I believe it’s preferable to restrict a kitten’s access to hunting behaviour during the Formative Period and on for a couple of months. Redirecting them onto toys like a flirt pole allows them an outlet for this prey drive onto a suitable prey-like stimulus without causing injury tos bird and wildlife.

01/10/2023

Quite the cat story! have any of you experienced cat intuition ?

There was a cat, Jenny, who was one of the Titanic’s cat. She had her kittens onboard in Belfast. But when they got to the stop before heading to New York, she took her kittens off the boat and did not get back on.
You can read about her below...or by googling cat on Titanic.
Perhaps, that’s what this picture by artist Celia Pike, is of...Jenny and her babies watching the last sailing of the Titanic.

Artist: Celia Pike

The Titanic Cat - Jenny's Story
In the wee hours of the morning between April 14th and April 15th 1912 the queen of the White Star Line, the unsinkable Titanic, did indeed sink into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland. Countless human and animal lives were lost, but what about Jenny, the Titanic cat?

As the story goes …
Jenny was brought aboard the Titanic from her sister ship, the Olympia, to act as mascot and to help with the rodent control. She lived in the underbelly of the ship (or the kitchen depending on which story you read) and was tended to by a stoker named Jim Mulholland. He would frequently sneak table scraps for her.

Work was difficult to find in those days and Jim Mulholland had been temporary help on the Titanic during the ship’s sailing trials from the Irish Sea to Southampton. When he was offered a full time position for the Titanic’s maiden voyage to New York he was thrilled to have the employment.

During those sailing trials, about a week before the Titanic moored in Southampton, Jenny presented Jim and the Titanic with a litter of kittens. Jim made Jenny a comfortable spot where she could tend to her kittens. Looking after the mama cat and her kittens broke the monotony of Jim’s work. Jenny seemed content with her warm spot by the furnaces, her babies and her kitchen scraps from Jim.


However, as soon as the ship docked at Southampton Jenny had a good look at her surroundings and promptly started picking her kittens up by the scruff of their necks and moving them, one by one, down the gangplank and off the ship.

Jim watched her curiously and decided that this cat must know something that no one else knows!

He promptly packed his meagre belongings and departed the ship himself.

Truth or Titanic legend? Some other reports have Jenny and her kittens perishing with the Titanic, but the cat lover in me … I like Jim Mulholland’s story so I vote truth!

Years later the Irish Times ran Jenny’s story after a reporter spoke to an elderly man who related the tale. Was he Jim Mulholland himself or just someone with whom Jim shared his story? We may never know. A Daily Mirror edition from April of 1912 ran an article with the headline “Clever Mother Cat Saves Her Kittens from the Titanic” accompanied with the following picture. Is this Jenny’s litter? Again, we may never know.

The Black Cat join us for more

28/09/2023

Recently went to Wellington to pick my last two cats up so whole family is now together. Fat Ronnie who started life as a skeletal worm ridden chest infection kit that I picked up the night Rodney was sighted on my trail cam in Taranaki.

Plus Harlow whose mum and siblings were ripped apart by dogs while she hid under a log.

Ronnie fitted right back in with the crew and not impressed by dietary measures. Still loves to play fetch with his sparkly fuzzy balls. Harlow was a kit last time with the crew but is settling. Her fave toy is a humungous rubber ball.

Thank you Sarah and Dion for taking amazing care of them for so long.

25/09/2023

Had a fright with leaving door open yesterday!

Great Western Swing track from the band Light Crust Doughboys

08/09/2023

Epic journey for a kit who started life in a family then was dumped at a refuse tip. Thanks Morgan for your support of rescues as you travel between islands. This kitty Harley now off to his forever home

07/09/2023

Watch out for some updates on what Bee (Rodney's Rescues) continues to do. Been busy lately as kitten season now well and truly starting. In Northland it's quite dire due to lack of homing opportunity and low level Desexing if pets

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=696730992482281&id=100064361604410&mibextid=Nif5oz

26/08/2023

I have a case of 'green snot monster's but blissed out on bed with feline nurses keeping me warm

25/08/2023

Which family member will you leave behind in a disaster?

Please Please get behind the Animal Evac New Zealand New Zealand submission for legislation that is specific to preparation, care during and post disasters. We know people stay in danger or break safety cordons to get their pets to safety (was happening recently in Muriwai). By ensuring No Animal is Left Behind we know we have also kept families together, increased safety of people and reduced amount of animals needing reunification. Go to Animal Evac page for more info, watch the newstory.
Just sign in support! Every name helps.

P.S. please chip your pet and register chip to NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) and keep your contact details up to date on the Guardian account that gets created. This ensures speedy reunion should you be separated from furred or feathered family member in disaster.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/08/campaign-to-include-animal-rescue-in-new-emergency-management-bill-after-heartbreaking-losses.html?fbclid=IwAR1UEJ2bEHET1uDwjsDg0D22Wa3cbs2PQELXDsvzPoNU4TPyCbAjEFK6AJ8

Sorry, this site is only available in New Zealand

20/08/2023

Speaking of kittens seeking homes.

Cali (the female dilute calico) and her shy Ginger bro Harley are seeking a forever home.

I can bring them to Auck or even Wellington.
They are desexed, had regular flea and worm treatment, microchipped and reg on nzcar, had first vax. Second due soon.

Backstory
They are the two kits of the family of cats that was dumped ata refuse tip near Whangarei. They have been at a foster and playful with her but nervous with strangers.

Are you interested? Can take to Auckland and soon Wellington / Kapiti

If interested message me. There is an adoption fee that will cover some (not all) of the costs I've paid out of my pocket for them.

I will do online pre adopt interviews to help answer questions and fit of kits with your family.

I do expect them to be initially quarantined from other pets and have their own sanctuary (ideally crate and own room with no accessible hidey holes) so positive fun relationship can develop fast.

Happy to answer questions

20/08/2023

Rescues will soon be seeking Foster's or you may be considering bringing a new kitten or cat into your life. We often found people would respond negatively when we asked kits to be crated initially. Crates allow for much quicker positive relationships to develop and also create safe space. Kits will always hide in the smallest darkest space so better to have that in a crate where they can safely cocoon than utterly fearful under a bed or worse finding an escape out if the house in terrified mode. If course part of the isolation is if you have pets we need to keep separatd for 14 days so no incubation is happening of something that could make them or your current pet sick

Here's some great info on why it's best to crate for the initial period of settling in.

Your cat will make quickest progress if they're confined to a set area = their 'sanctuary space'. Check out different setups with everything they need.

17/08/2023

Please desex cats, it minimises risk of pets becoming strays and reduces negative impact on environment and already overwhelmed rescues

Go on.

15/08/2023

I found this beautiful sad video from First vets. I really appreciated seeing Rodney. Pleased he did not suffer long and his final day clearly full of love and kindness. Had he not been found his life would have been far shorter on struggle street and a lonely cold death.

Be kind to strays. You don't know how they ended up in that situation or what loving potential they have if loved themselves again in a kind patient home.

Please support rescues.

14/08/2023

What an amazing life Rodney had. Born amongst pallets. ITM cared for his mum and siblings finding homes for them. Rodney, nicknamed Rodders, lived with his bro at ITM (very loved) until his bro met misfortune on the road. Rodders stayed on and became chief meet n greeter. He did take off for weeks at time on mousing adventures. One regular truckie had a special whistle and Rodney (Rodders) would come running for his treats.. Then a new boss meant new life and he was dumped in the hills. He kept setting off alarms and threats were made.
His situation galvanised a nation and raised public awareness to the unfortunate plight of dumped cats.
Finally found he went to the home of people who had loved him and raised him from kitten hood...but he kept going back to his beloved ITM...to his peril.
Under much pressure he was handed to SPCA who changed his name and sent him far far away from ITM.
On arriving at a new home a dog barked and he took off out of his carrier. Took four months of intense work but eventually trapped again.

From there he lived out his retirement in a happy loving home with his adopters Raye and Shane.

An adventurous life, full of mischief and mice, ending with warm laps, full food bowls and a fluffy pillow to rest on at night.

R. I. P. Rodders
I lost a lot of tears and sleep over you but it ended well.
Cya mate it was great having you in my lifes tapestry for that short intense time. You did good.

12/08/2023

I have received second hand information that Rodney the cat is not well. He has NOT died but clearly in a serious condition. For updates from his Guardians Raye and Shane go to his page. I think it's still called Rodney the Cat. I don't have access to it so cannot provide link.

Unlike so many unfortunate cats I continue to work with he has had a lovely warm home and been very loved.

Over the last year I've had 519 cats (plus more) come to my notice. Less than half could be truly helped due to lack of reasonable legislation re strays and no support for them, just a few of that number found peace and happiness like Rodney.

I know he is surrounded by love. Could not ask for more of any cat I've had fortune of coming across. It took a bunch of people to get him there.

Kia Kaha Rodney.
Photo was last time I was able to see him after I caught him in my traps in Taranaki ( with help of Daveena, Adym, Elyse, Bobby, Raye, Bailee n Sam, Kerri plus so many more esp the lass who sent the cctv footage to me from her workplace that led to the final successful trap.
Great memory. I wish him well on his journey and thank him for a legacy he will leave behind once he chooses to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

12/08/2023

Finally after 11 months I'm reunited with my cats...managed to create cattery next to bedroom so they are safely contained while tradies still working about the place. Obviously when I'm home they are starting to explore and scent the house

So happy.

02/08/2023

Well happened to be at clinic today at same time. A lovely chance meet up and chat

We all agree DESEX YOUR PETS

This is a miracle moment!

The people who work hard to move mountains often don't actually meet in person until today!

Featured is Jolin, our senior vet, Liz who's part of the Ruakaka Dog Rescue team, and Bev, Whangarei's first official cat officer. Three lovely women who work tirelessly to help the community access affordable ( or free! ) desexing for their pets 🐕

26/07/2023

Seeking sponsors to help cover cost of vaccine and Desexing.

$50 gives naming rights

I had the Uretiti Tip cats booked in for Desexing in upcoming weeks but had a call today to say a dog Spey had cancelled which left space for three cats. I was delighted and did the drive to Waipu (not quite an hour) and grabbed the four cats n kits. So grateful to Mog n Dog for Desexing them altogether. A big hit to my personal pocket as I have no funding to assist the cats. Each spay is $90 X 3 and the neuter is $65
I also need to vaccinate them and to save money I will chip and link them to nzcar which costs me $20 per cat.

Any help would be amazing.

Bank account is
Kiwibank 38-9022-0490742-00
Reference: Uretiti Cats
Message me to let me know if sponsoring a name
1. Dilute tortie, shy but sweet
2. Ginger boy, slightly spicy but food oriented
3. Black girl super friendly and talkative
4. Blue mumcat - the boss

22/07/2023

An update on Lilypet aka Oddeye Odette aka Snow.

I took Lilypet to her potential new home this week. She was in crate while making first intros to current pet cat. Now being allowed out to place scent around house.

Cheese continues to be her Kryptonite ;)

Isn't she looking great

21/07/2023

https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Services/Dogs-Animals/Cats

12/07/2023

Today is National Odd Eye day so here is a pic of 'Oddeye Odette' aka Snow aka Lilypet

Hoping she will go to her new potential home today. Hoping even more that the person fully takes on board the need to keep her indoors and allow connection to occur over time.

Two nights ago, after three weeks, she jumped on couch for cuddles and purrs with me. Last night played on bed.

12/07/2023

UPDATE TIP CATS
This afternoon pulled all my tricks out of the bag..with a bit of help from a lovely young lady called India we caught all four.

Easy with the mum's. They charged into trap that I held open..but they left no room for kits. Got least scared kit, the pretty dilute tortie, into crush cage. The ginger ninja needed some stealth and was onto me but I had my catch net and got him.

Took them back to India's and set up a stellar multilevel crate for perching and play.

I think India may end up adopting ginger and her brother interested in grey girl. All need Desexing. Just had first flea n worm treatment.

Tui ..the black girl with white locket on chest is just lovely. So smoochy and outgoing.

The dilute tortie is a quiet but friendly girl who I'm sure will come out of her shell. Amazing eyes. Look like she's wearing eyeliner.

11/07/2023

Consistently disappointed in people. The two older cats are very smoochy. The kits (I think the greys) are anxious but not surprising given the whole family has been dumped at a beach tip.

It is result of people getting free cats off Facebook or friends and not doing the right caring thing .. DESEX YOUR CAT!

Not only lack of care of cats but what about our native reptiles and birds! Feral cats are usually the result of poor human decisions with their pets.

It infuriates me. Sadly rescues here generally accepting only sick kits so there is no where for these females and older kits to go. Feel like I'm banging my head against brick walls

08/07/2023

Just bought a little house and it is official on Wednesday 12th it is mine. Money left over for bucket list trips.

It's a house of hundreds of dolls and lots of purple, built like walking into a grape! ...so got it cheap. Painting before I move in! Owner taking all her dolls - I find them a bit freaky...but it's why I got a good price. From crazy doll lady the house is going to a crazy cat lady !

Seems to be good timing to be painting over Matariki weekend. A time for our New Zealand/ Aotearoa New Year, return if the sun, hope, new beginnings and feasting.

The little property looks out over park and a stream with waterfall and only about 8 min to work!

My job might finish in Sept. My contract finishes Sept 9th but I have no mortgage so, I'd be sad job ends, but I'm ok . Will not know what's happening till Sept. Stressful.

But I have money for some bucket list trips (with some for rain day savings) ...hot air balloon over the great migration in Africa, Northern lights of Norway and back to UK.