Fund to soothe ruffled fur

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 3

Fund to soothe ruffled fur

Washed-out cats in Southland need not worry about their future. A special emergency fund has been set up for them and other household pets. After speaking with veterinary surgeons, New Zealand cat fanciers’ clubs have organised their own special relief fund for stranded and sick pets. The president of the clubs’ national executive, Mrs P. M. Hogan, of Christchurch said yesterday that Invercargill veterinarianspredicted an epidemic of feline enteritis, gastritis, respiratory diseases and malnutrition in cats that had drunk sewage-contami-nated water. The floods would have caused psychological problems in animals who had been lost or deserted, and this could lead to the animals having to be put down, said Mrs Hogan. Although cats are the

main interest of the club, other animals would benefit from the fund as well. “If someone went into a house where there was a dog, a budgie, and a cat to look after, they wouldn’t just pick up the cat and leave the others to look after themselves,” she said.

Three members of the national executive in Invercargill would administer the fund. Already more than $2OO had been promised by clubs in Christchurch and Auckland.

The money would pay for food, veterinary, and boarding fees, said Mrs Hogan.

All donators should include their names and addresses. After the emergency, money not used may be returned to the donor, she said.

It was likely that the disaster fund would be permanent, although this would have to be approved by the executive.