Kitten-World News | Dec 2019 & Jan 2020
THE SYRIAN TOWN WITH MORE CATS THAN PEOPLE
Because of constant Waring between Syria and Russia, the town of Kafr Nabl, has become a last refuge for hundreds of orphan kitties.
"It's comforting when the cats are close. It makes the bombardment, the demolition, the suffering, seem much less frightening,” says Salah Jaar a 32-year-old from the war-torn town in Syria. Huddled beside him are half a dozen assorted cats, all as petrified as he is.
Salah's hometown, Kafr Nabl, was once home to more than 40,000 people, but fewer than 100 remain. It's hard to guess how many cats there are - certainly, hundreds, possibly thousands. This town now has more cats than people.
During the day, around 20 to 30 cats walk with him, some following him home. At night, you can hear the barks and whines of numerous stray dogs, they are also hungry and homeless, bringing them into competition with the Kitties. And if you think the winner would be the dogs, and that the cats would be outmuscled, not in this case, cats are larger in number, so the dogs have no chance if they decide to engage.
As most people leave the town, Salah’s does not know how long he will survive, but he still shares all his meals with his four-legged friends.
For more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50856274
NEW YORK MAN CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING RARE AFRICAN CATS
Christopher Casacci, 38-years-old, allegedly imported and sold dozens of Caracals, a wild cat native to Africa, and Servals, known for their spotted coats, according to the US Department of Justice.
Casacci is also charged with disguising his commercial activity by falsely declaring the animals as domesticated breeds, such as Savannah cats and Bengal cats, on shipping records.
Through his online business, Casacci allegedly imported and sold dozens of Caracals and Servals throughout the United States between February and June 2018.
Caracals and Servals are both native of Africa and could grow up to 40 to 45 pounds. Also, both species have been protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora [CITES]. New York state law has restricted their commercial possession and sale.
Let’s just hope justice will be served!
For more details: https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-york-man-african-cat-trafficking-charges
FAMILY’S CAT ACCIDENTALLY GETS EUTHANIZED DURING VET VISIT
"Every time I close my eyes, I see that look on her face, and I just can't get it out of my head," said Michelle Olson.
Michelle Olson and her husband had taken their 8-year-old cat, Sophie, for a routine checkup and rabies vaccination in Suburbia North Animal Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Now this family is mourning after Sophia was accidentally euthanized during a simple visit.
Everything seemed fine, until they received a frightening call on their drive home.
It was the doctor herself calling saying, “Please get Sophie back here immediately, we gave her the wrong shot.”
When the couple rushed back to the hospital the staff immediately gave Sophie oxygen and fluids to try to flush out the deadly drugs, but it was in vain, Sophie died 2 days later
RIP SOPHIE
We want to thank Michelle Olson for bringing this to the attention of the public, and we are very sorry about Sophie. We don’t want to condemn the Hospital, we all just need to be more alert and unafraid to ask questions, after all we are human and do make mistakes.
For more details: https://myfox8.com/2020/01/18/cat-accidentally-gets-euthanized-during-vet-visit-owner-says/
GUS THE CAT ENTERED IN AUSTRALIAN DOG SWIMMING RACE
Glen Druery entered his cat, Gus, an 11-month Tonkinese, in to the Dog Swimming Race in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, on Christmas Eve, 2019.
From the begin Gus wasn’t welcome to participate in the race, organizer Scott Taylor had concerns about safety. But Gus was eventually welcomed into the race.
Gus entered the race joining about 70 dogs and managed to beat quite a few in the annual 550-meter swim, between Scotland Island and Church Point Wharf.
A dog name Bolt came in 1st! BUT GUS ALSO CAME IN FIRST…. FOR CATS EVERYWHERE!
The crowd went wild at the sight of Gus finishing the race, chanting ‘GUS, GUS, GUS!’
For more Details: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/23/glenn-druerys-toughest-race-how-the-preference-whisperer-set-the-cat-among-the-dogs
THREE COYOTES FAIL TO IMPRESS UNFAZED CAT NAMED MAX
Max the Cat had a Showdown with three coyotes outside his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park
A Security camera captured Max the Cat fending off the trio of coyotes as they attempted to gang up on him. …Max wasn’t having any of it.
For now, Gurrin, Max’s Owner, will keep him Inside, but is planning, in the near future, to build an outside enclosure, so Max can still get fresh air without danger from ambushing wild predators.
For more details: https://time.com/5763740/cat-fights-off-coyotes/
ROBOT CAT MEOWS AT DINING CUSTOMER
BellaBot, the robotic kitty, was unveiled at CES tech Expo in Las Vegas (CES is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association or CTA)
Every January the Expo hosts presentations on new products and technologies. This year the Chinese firm PuduTech brought their newest invention The BellaBot
BellaBot, the table-waiting robot cat, is a service bot with personality. It has 4 trays, each capable of bearing up to 10kg. or 22 lbs. of grub.
BellaBot has cat-face animations and meows when it arrives at your table to encourage you to pick up your food.
You can even stroke BellaBot’s ears, it will be pleased, but not for long, as she’s not a fan of heavy petting.
"It gets mad to remind you not to interrupt it’s job," explains the PuduTech spokesman.
The Chinese company is targeting BellaBot for restaurants throughout China, especially those struggling to employ enough waiting staff. To date PuduTech has around 2,000 robots in restaurants worldwide.
For more details: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51003084
BABY YODA CAT
Baby Yoda cat enchants the Internet.
Joy aka Baby Yoda Cat was found December 15, 2019 by a Humane Society volunteer.
Joy had a large wound on her neck, which could have been caused by an animal attack, abuse by a person, or some sort of accident. She also had a number of illnesses including a respiratory infection and intestinal parasites.
Joy needed more time to heal and more treatment at the time of her release.
A woman came forward claiming to be Joy’s owner, but the HSRC president wasn’t very convinced. The photos that the lady presented, though were very similar to Joy, the prominent feature, such as her signature ‘Yoda ears,’ were not present. The Lady replied: “The cats' ears were on top of its head when I last saw the cat.”
Anyhow, it will always be a mystery! But WE’RE Hoping Baby Yoda Cat gets all the loving care she needs, and that she is in good care.
For more details: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article239005428.html