Author Archive: muriell

COVID 19 & Feeding Community Cats

Adapted from Alley Cat Allies' resources. Our Recommendations Healthy caregivers should go about their care and feeding routines while maintaining appropriate social distancing protocols with regard to distance from other people. If you can stock up on cat food so as to reduce the number of visits you make to the store, that’s great. Follow safety […]

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COVID-19 & Community Cat Caregivers

Adapted from Alley Cat Allies' resources. Answers to your Questions & Helpful Checklists We at CATalyst want to make sure that you have the information you need about caring for community cats during this time of COVID-19 – including if you become unable to care for your cats. Please find below several answers based on information […]

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COVID-19 Safety Tips and Precautions for TNR

Adapted from Alley Cat Allies' resources. While the COVID-19 pandemic presents new challenges to conducting Trap Neuter Return (TNR), the humane and effective approach to community cats, the challenges are not insurmountable. TNR is still very much possible - and essential. This guide outlines CATalyst's recommendations for planning and carrying out TNR with COVID-19 health and […]

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TNR Manual All-New Site Development

We’re delighted to announce the development of our new-look website, managed by Drogheda Animal Rescue (DAR) and the CATalyst Project to host Ireland’s TNR Manual.

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Animal Advocacy is Closing

We regret to inform everyone that we are closing our doors and ceasing our voluntary work as of now. This will be my final article for animal welfare. And in it, I’ll explain why I’m closing rather than setting up as a charity; why animal welfare needs people like me; and other bits and bobs. […]

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Crisis Care for Companion Animals – Preparing a Plan

Their Hero is YOU with many thanks to Liza Clancy of Drogheda Animal Rescue for her invaluable input Pets bring vital energy to our homes and lives. Pets communicate many messages about love and connection. Care tenderly for all pets throughout their precious lives. The interspecies dance of love softens and expands the heart. Laura […]

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Companion Animals & COVID-19 Transmission

In this article, we want to reassure companion guardians about any worries they may have about COVID-19 and their friends.

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Envisioning a Better World

‘Those of us at the heart of the animal law movement envision a world in which the lives and interests of all sentient beings are respected within the legal system, where companion animals have good, loving homes for a lifetime, where wild animals can live out their natural lives according to their instincts in an […]

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DIY Feral Cat Shelters

In the cold weather that’s coming, we want to be sure our community cats are as safe, dry and warm as they can be. When cats don’t want human company, we can’t take them indoors, so we have to provide shelters. Here’s an easy DIY shelter made from styrofoam boxes, packing & duct tape and […]

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Eligible for Adoption?

Just looking at old email queries. Got a great reply for this one: Query: “We have 2 adult cats ferrel with 3 kittens in our bank yard and we are afraid to leave our grandchildren out in the yard can you tell us how to get rid of them any ideas are welcome” Reply: The […]

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This Old Cat

This poem always brings a lump to my throat, having had several elderly felines grace my heart and home through the years – thinking in particular of Inky and Granny Weatherwax, much loved, much missed. And I think this photo of Jennifer & Inky says it all.

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Animal Rescue Truths

This poem, by Ashley Owen Hill, blew me away. I’m not sure folk who’re not active in animal welfare realise how emotionally draining, frustrating and heart-breaking it can be. But it is also totally and utterly rewarding.  Rescue is pain. Rescue is joy. Rescue is worth it… because they are worth it. And that’s the […]

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Feral Cat Shelters

Found a lovely little feral cat shelter & feeding station on Items for Sale or Free in Bantry (a great FB resource in my area). It needs a bit of weather proofing (primarily a more overhanging roof), but works lovely in the rare sunshine – got some snaps of my guys checking it out when it was installed. In the cold weather it’s especially important to provide community cats with warm shelters and safe, dry feeding stations.

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Winter Holidays

Adapted from DSPCA (© Vets Now 2009), Apartment Pets and Harmony Animal Hospital. There are a number of potential hazards to be mindful of during the festive season so read on and feast your eyes on all the tips to ensure you and your pet have a happy, safe and stress free time at Christmas… Stick To Your Usual Routine Even […]

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Winter Animal Care

Adapted from DSPCA Human animals aren’t the only ones who want to stay indoors and wrap up warm during the cold winter months! We can sometimes forget that domesticated animals are not adapted to live outside under any and all weather conditions. When it gets too cold outside, we need to take some precautions to […]

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