My passion is saving the lives of stray and feral cats. I do this myself, without the help of a registered charity. All of my work is funded through my art. I use a humane trap to rescue stray cats who are too frightened to be approached. This trap does not harm the cats in any way. It simply closes behind them. Then I transfer the cat to a dog crate until the cat adjusts to its new environment. In the first day of the cat being rescued, I will check for a microchip using a scanner, De-worm the cat, try to see (If the cat is a tom) if it is neutered, flea-comb and treat the cat, and most importantly, allow it some proper sleep.
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the cat who inspired PatchPaw Art:
Albert the cat inspired me to set up PatchPaw Art. He was a stray cat who was living on the streets for at least five years. This is a very long time because homeless cats don't usually live longer than 1-2 years because of the risk of being run over, attacked, or picking up infections and diseases. Recently I noticed a white and grey cat who sat on our wall but ran away every time I approached. He looked in a terrible state so I started to put food and a shelter outside for him. I put out a humane cat trap to try and save him, as I could see he was close to death and needed rescuing. I called him Ghost-Cat because of his white colour against the darkness of the night. Sadly, this name became far too true, because I got the news that he had been hit by a car and had died a few streets away. However, I set up a camera to see if any other cats were eating the food we had been putting out for Ghost-Cat, and sure enough, a black cat was taking food(we thought he was a female at the time because of how tiny he was!) Four days after the trap was put out, Albert sprung the trap. He is now safe and warm, and being spoiled rotten. The second picture on the right shows how underweight poor Albert was after he was rescued. He was not neutered, and did not have a micro-chip. His right eye was also looking quite sore at first, and he has a rib that was once broken, but has healed itself over time. Albie has had all of his medical needs seen to, and although I had decided before trapping him, that we would re-home him, I’ve decided to keep Albert.
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Bluebell, the UK’s most unwanted dogThis is a piece of Bluebell, an 11 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has spent 10 years at the Liverpool centre of freshfields animal rescue. The centre have tried everything they can to find her a forever home, but still have had no hope.
Bluebell was admitted to the centre in 2008 after being rescued from a dog pound where she was due to be put to sleep. She has been adopted from freshfields twice in the past but was brought back after 'taking a while to settle in'. Freshfields Animal Rescue say: 'She is lively, friendly and extremely affectionate. Bluebell struggled in the kennel environment and so she now resides in our kennel kitchen. She is a typical staffy who loves her comforts, throughout winter she will press herself against the radiator absorbing all of the heat! Bluebell has many friends, she loves meeting new people! Sadly for Bluebell though this life does have its downsides; she never gets peace whilst the staff are on the go all day long, and whilst so many people get to interact with her, this also means she has little consistency in her life and no one true family to love.’
I wanted to draw Bluebell because she has spent far too long in a rescue, and hopefully this piece of art will help people become aware of her story.
Bluebell needs to live as an only pet and in an adult only home. if you think you can offer her a forever home or even foster her, please contact Freshfields Animal Rescue on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshfieldsrescue Or call: 0151 931 1604. |