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Cat Health & Info.
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Guidelines and Procedures for setting up a Local Cat Action Trust Branch.
At an inaugural meeting, the policy of Cat Action Trust should be clearly stated i.e. managing feral cat colonies without killing cats or kittens, by trapping, neutering, and returning adult cats to site or re-siting them; kittens to be rescued for taming and rehoming. Also to neuter and rehome abandoned cats, before they start colonies. The vital need for neutering to minimise the number of strays and ferals in Britain today must be stressed.
As Leader of a new Branch appointed by the Branch's Co-ordinator, you are required to appoint an Hon. Treasurer, and if possible an Hon. Secretary, a Fund -raiser, Fostering/Homing officer, Trapping field Co-ordinator, and so on.
Regular quarterly Branch meetings should be held, with a chairman and agenda.
Branches and Members
All Cat Action Trust workers are volunteers. Each member of a local Branch must be a member of Cat Action Trust and abide by its Constitution.
Members of a Trust Branch are entitled to attend General Meetings
Branches raise their own funds though where necessary, assistance will be given by the Executive Committee, for spaying, castrating and other veterinary treatment. An income and expenditure account and an annual report of the work done to help feral cats must be submitted to the Executive Committee at the end of the financial year (31st March). This is required by the Charity Commission.
A Branch must be solely responsible for its debts and not pledge the credit of Cat Action Trust unless, following proper consultation, the Executive Committee has agreed such action.
All money collected in the name of Cat Action Trust must be used for the stated objects of the Trust and not diverted to other causes.
All money received by Branches must be placed in a local bank account in the name of Cat Action Trust Registered Charity No. 1063947(...............Branch)
Cheques require two signatures. Signatories must not be members of the same family.
All work undertaken on behalf of the Trust is of a voluntary nature but reimbursement should be made by the relevant Branch for personal expenses incurred in connection with the Branch's work.
Priority must be given to veterinary fees, to food for the cats being helped, to the purchase of necessary equipment, such as traps or crush cages and to promotional activities.
The cats remain the property and responsibility of the Branch of the Trust which should agree to pay for the food, litter and veterinary treatment for the time of the foster care.
Where cats are kept, the premises must be kept clean and presentable. Any equipment lent to the fosterer remains the property of the Branch and a form is available from Cat Action Trust to facilitate such loans. Please ask for the C.A.T. Loan Form
WHEREVER POSSIBLE A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL ARRANGE A VISIT PRIOR TO THE SETTING UP OF A NEW BRANCH AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO VISIT BRANCHES AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
A Branch of the Trust which ceases to operate in the name of Cat Action Trust must, after full disbursement of its liabilities, return to the Executive Committee, all monies, equipment and other property held in the name of the Trust.
The Executive Committee retains an absolute discretion to order the dissolution of any Branch without being required to give reasons, though wherever possible, and explanation will be given.
Important Notes
Cats over 6 months (male and female) - or younger if feral is to be released, must be neutered. Adopters of kittens under 6 months must sign an agreement to have them neutered at 6 months, and this must be checked up on. Forms to be given with the kittens are available from Head Office.
Vets must be asked to use absorbable stitches (preferably buried) to avoid the need for re-trapping to remove the stitches from females.
Contrary to some charities, the Cat Action Trust is opposed to the use of screening tests for FIV and FeLV when neutering feral cats.We do not permit vets to use them on our cats.
It is no longer our policy to ask vets to ear-tip cats when neutering them, as there have been some horrendous wounds. Ideally cats'ears should be tattoed with an 'N' on the inner part of the pinna
Vets to be asked to treat ear mites, fleas and worms and administer any other necessary treatments, e.g. dental treatment is commonly required for ferals.
Homes must be checked before any cats or kittens are released for adoption, with follow-up visits within 3 weeks and 6 months.
Cat Action Trust is opposed to the use of cat graspers.Cat traps,'run-on' crush cages and hospitalisation cages and large folding dog cages will be supplied to new branches.
FINALLY: Branches are required to sign a statement that the foregoing Cat Action Trust Branch policy has been read and understood
Application to set up a branch
If you would like further information on setting up a branch of C A T please
Contact Us and someone will get back to you in due course.
