Don't Let Bonfire Night End In Cat-astrophe Warns Cat Vet, London

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 31, 2009 – London’s only cat only veterinarian, Kitten to Cat Vets in London, is calling on cat owners to be responsible this Guy Fawkes night after looking after a traumatized Chinchilla Persian who was left homeless and after last November’s celebrations.

“Jinxy”, as she was named by staff at Kitten to Cat (http://www.KittenToCat.com), was brought into the cat only vets by a client after she was found hiding in their garage for two months.

Experienced London cat vet and owner of Kitten to Cat, Zeta Frasca, believes the fireworks disorientated Jinxy, who then could not find her way home.  

“Cats are very susceptible to changes in environment and stress so we tend to see more missing cats in November as a result of Guy Fawkes night,” says Ms Frasca. “Thankfully many are micro-chipped and so can be reunited with their families when rescued by local vets or animal charities.”

Unfortunately for Jinxy her owners had not micro-chipped her and enquiries of local West London residents proved fruitless.

Jinxy was not well and needed a lot of work to nurse her back to health.  However, even now, she is traumatised by loud noises and unexpected movements.  This trait makes her unpredictable and difficult re-home her through normal channels so Jinxy currently lives with Ms Frasca’s mum in Kensington, Central London.

Many London cats live indoors but this doesn’t mean they are not affected by fireworks.  High degrees of stress can lead to health and behavioural problems such as aggression, soiling and nervousness in the days and weeks following the event.

The vets at London’s only feline vet clinic are urging cat owners to take simple precautions this Guy Fawkes night:
•   Have your cat micro-chipped regardless in case they become lost.
•   Keep your cat indoors from 5-8 November.
•   Close the curtains to muffle outside noise.
•   Leave the TV or music on for background noise.
•   Plug in a Feliway™ diffuser a week before the event.  Feliway™ is a synthetic feline pheromone that has a calming effect on cats.
•   But most of all, ensure your cat has a comfy dark place to hide under.  Ensure the “den” is convenient to food, water and a litter tray.

Kitten to Cat is offering London residents access to free micro-chipping and Feliway in November.  For more details see: http://www.kittentocat.com/free-microchip-cat-vet-london
About Kitten to Cat.  , Kitten to Cat is the only feline only vets in London. The state of the art surgery was designed specifically to minimise stress for cats.  In addition to a cat friendly veterinary surgery the West London vet clinic also has boarding facilities equipped with web cams.  www.KittenToCat.com  
END