By the time you read this article, Christmas will have been 
and gone, the glitter and tinsel put away for another year. Some of us will feel sad that it is all over, we miss the lights and the decorations to brighten up the winter nights, but there will be those who feel a sense of relief. We can relax now that there are no more Christmas cards to send (and there is always one we forget isn’t there?) no more Christmas presents to worry about, and no more food leftovers to clutter up the fridge.
Well, for the cats of this world, Christmas is just another day, or is it? They sense there is something in the air, and observe the way people behave, feel the rushed atmosphere and see that there is a change in the way their owners act and behave. We who own cats sense that they are more ‘needy’ as Christmas approaches, and this is because they feel the difference in their owners’ behaviour, when we seem to be too busy to spend time with them.
Think about the cats at this time of the year- not just yours (if you are a cat owner) but others out in the wild. They need food and warmth just as we do; especially those living outdoors and in shelters, and those who are never allowed in the house. Christmas to them means cold weather and maybe less visits from their human companions, because we are all busy looking after ourselves. The nights are especially long and very cold, so please spare a thought for these furry creatures.
Many people think that cats don’t feel the cold because of their thick fur coat, but this is not so. True, a cat can survive colder temperatures than a human but this does not mean that it is comfortable doing so. An old blanket in a box can make all the difference to a cat, domestic or feral; they will not refuse it.
If you are a cat owner you will probably have noticed that they want to stay indoors more at this time of the year. This is especially true if they can cuddle up to a warm human in front of the fire. If you are able to, during the winter months let your cat stay indoors more often than in the summer. A cat litter tray will ensure they do not misbehave and soil the living area, but only if it is cleaned and emptied regularly, and fresh litter placed in the tray as required (depending on how many cats you have of course!)
If you cannot let them indoors, please provide warm, dry shelter for them, and they will thank you for that bit of comfort during the dark nights of winter.
Please think about our furry friends and take them whatever comfort you can give during the winter. In the wild, a cardboard box (or even better a wooden one) can make all the difference. Down at Malcolm’s Cat we can see this now that the temperature is dropping – sometimes we see five or even six cats crammed into a cardboard box, sharing their body warmth. If you can place it somewhere so that it will be sheltered from the wind and rain, so much the better.
And feed them more often – they burn up more energy in keeping their body warmth up, so they need more fuel. Once again, if you can, go and feed the feral cats in the neighbourhood where they gather.
The reward is that you will know you are doing your bit for the cat community. And they pay you back by keeping the vermin population down and also the snakes. People worry about cats killing birds, but from our experience, the only ones who get killed are the old and weak, and we haven’t noticed any diminution in the bird population due to cats.
We at Malcolm’s are open to the public all throughout the year, except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, between 9 and 11 in the morning and 2 to 4 in the afternoons, seven days a week. You will always be welcome and the cats will show you their appreciation in the usual manner!
Unfortunately, we are at capacity at the sanctuary and are unable to accept any stray cats or kittens, sorry.
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