BARNSLEY

STARVING CATS. (Barnsley Chronicle, 27th June 1908)
To the Editor of the "Barnsley Chronicle." Sir, As in most of our cities and in several of our large towns there are "shelters" or receiving homes for lost and starving cats. I am writing to suggest that such an institution should be opened in Barnsley. A "shelter," as the name implies, is not intended as a permanent home, but a place where all lost cats may be taken free of charge, and where, not claimed within a certain time, they may either be sold to good homes or mercifully destroyed. All ill, diseased, or "not wanted" cats may be taken there, and humanely destroyed on payment of a small sum by those who can afford it. From a humane point of view such an institution is indispensable, and those who have compassion for animal suffering cannot fail to see the advantage to the public, in having their streets and gardens cleared of homeless and diseased animals which wander about lost and uncared for, until they die of starvation or become the victims of some form of cruelty.

To show how such place is required, I need only quote from the report of the Nottingham Cat's Shelter. It there states that, between January 1 and December 31 of last year, no less than 1,428 cats wore received, whilst at the Sheffield Shelter, during the same period, 2,608 lost and "not wanted cats were admitted. Are there not enough kind-hearted men and women in Barnsley willing to give but the crumbs of charity towards the opening of such a place in their own town? Offers of help have already been received, on condition that others will come forward and lend a helping hand. Will anyone interested in the scheme kindly communicate with the address below. Yours truly, J BARKER, Hon. Treasurer, Sheffield Cat's Shelter, The Rookery, Broomhall Park, Sheffield

BIRMINGHAM

BATH

BATH CATS' HOME. A HUMANE WORK. (Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 27th January 1910)
The annual report of the Bath Cats' Home (Thomas Street, Walcot) has just been issued. It states that the Bath Cats' Home and Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats was opened in May, 1906, with the object of relieving the suffering of poor, outcast, starving and unwanted cats, by Mrs. Graham, whose experience the London Cats' Home (the largest and first-established Cats' Home in the country) had led her to believe that until some wise legislation a tax on cats was brought into force, to keep a check on the ever-increasing over-population of the feline tribe, it was necessary for private humanitarians to take the matter in hand.

From May, 1906, to July, 1907, no outside financial assistance was received. Then a public appeal was made, but up to the close of 1907 it was necessary for the foundress to bear over 20 of the expenses.

During 1908 a little more interest was taken in the work, but, unfortunately, not sufficient to avoid a deficit of 16 on the year. It was felt that some measures must be taken to try and strengthen the Home, and with this object a Committee was formed, and the present suitable premises taken and fitted up to provide accommodation for strays and boarders. A caretaker was engaged, so that there is always someone on the premises to receive stray cats.

During 1909 the support of the Home has greatly increased, but s glance at the balance sheet will show that it is necessary for all interested in the welfare of poor cats to help much more liberally in the future. Thanks to the great kindness of our President and Vice-President (Mrs. Peel-Floyd and Miss Poole) we close the year with a small balance in hand, so that we start the New Year in a far stronger position than we did in 1909. At that time we had a deficit of 16, and also had to go to the expense of fitting up the premises. Still, it will be seen that, although the Home is better off than it was twelve months ago, there is a necessity to double our income, for it is not just that our President and Vice-President should bear the expenses of the Home, even if they are willing to do so.

The Bath Cats' Home is a public institution, doing a much needed work of mercy in the city. It is the only institution of the kind in Bath and surely there must be enough animal-lovers in and around the city to bear the expense of its upkeep. These expenses are kept down to a minimum, the only salary paid being for a caretaker. As it has been rumoured that salary is paid for the management, it is necessary to publicly deny this untruth, neither Mrs. or Mr. Graham receive any salary for their services, and have never done so. Mrs. Graham still acts as Hon. Manageress, while Mr. Graham undertakes the active part of the management, acts as Secretary, Collector of Subscriptions and of Cats. The only expense for all these services which have been charged to the Home are travelling expenses, which have amounted to about 4s. per week.

During 1909, 369 strays were received at the Home. The best of these are kept with the object of finding good homes for them, and any person requiring a good, useful, domestic cat can generally secure one at reasonable charge if they call at the Home.

BATH SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING KINDNESS TO ANIMALS ( Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 11th February 1928) The report for 1927 of the Garden Home for cats and dogs was read by the Hon. Treasurer. The past year, it stated, had proven how great a boon the Home is to suffering and stray dogs and cats. Over 500 cats and 150 dogs were painlessly put to sleep. An appeal was made for funds further to facilitate the collection of stray dogs and cats. The past year had been a bad one for owners of cats, owing to a serious outbreak in Bath and Bristol districts of distemper. Some previously-infected cat must have brought it to the Home, for there, in spite of every care and veterinary attention, a few cats died, and they were obliged to refuse several boarders, and were probably misjudged owing to their precaution. They had made extensive alterations, and had now four cat houses, which offered safe and unrivalled housing.

BATH SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF KINDNESS TO ANIMALS (Cat Gossip 3 April 1929). Of all humanitarian acts, none can ever surpass that of helping a stray starving cat. Our dumb feline friends (and we made them our friends) can sink to the lowest form of absolute abject misery unless that kind person, with a love of, and thought for, an obvious stray cat comes along and helps it in time. Some nine years ago it came about that a certain Mrs. Begg, of Bath, could no longer stand the almost hourly sight of a wretched miserable cat wandering, and being driven from door to door in that city. Her nerves became a tangled jumble as she felt that the small help she could give was not enough to stay the growing number of stray cats. Many another person would have gone no further; not so this indefatigable lady. A short story of her years of work amongst and for stray cats is proof of what may be done elsewhere, and shows, from figures, how many cats have benefited by her proud endeavour.

In 1919, then, when the stray cat question in Bath was a serious problem, Mrs. Begg rented a house and installed a caretaker, for the sole purpose of housing and caring for stray cats! It naturally cost money, and, equally as naturally, funds soon became necessary to enable the work to continue. It is not here necessary to detail all the difficulties which presented themselves in endeavouring to house cats, strange ones remember, in this manner. Difficulties were bound to, and did, occur, but our valiant stalwart carried on, appealed for funds, got a small sum, and moved to a larger and better equipped house. These early years were a rooting of what is now one of the largest animal societies (pro rata for population) in the West of England. You have its title above.

The present day sees its headquarters at what is known as The Garden Home for Dogs and Cats, Greenway Lane, Bath. The address alone suggests comfort and happiness! The house has three and a half acres on a southerly slope, can house comfortably about seventy cats and fifty dogs. All this has not come about just for the asking finding it doubly difficult to continue in the second establishment, owing to the large number of cats received, and the large number of dogs that couldn't be received, there being no accommodation for them. A strong appeal for help was made, but lo! the people of any city have many charities to support, and, after all, cats to the many are objects of scorn, or targets for buckets of water, etc. What was to be done?

A work of this description, once started, could not be stopped. Admiration for her act in a crisis is very justly due to Mrs. Begg; she personally paid deposit on purchase price of above mentioned three and a half acres, mortgaged the balance, erected buildings and kennels by personally calling on shopkeepers, etc., for small donations to assist her, she was thus able four years ago to induce a titled lady friend to attend and take the chair at an opening ceremony. The Home today is a revelation of how cats can be made comfortable and happy. All the catteries have central heating, wired-in out-of-doors runs for fine weather, and personal attention of two very great animal lovers. No hour is too early or too late to receive a stray dog or cat, they are always welcomed. Lethal boxes have been given, so that any stray that is badly diseased or obviously beyond human aid is mercifully and painlessly put to sleep with chloroform. It is impossible with such small space to give particulars of the wonderful work that is being done. Mrs. Begg now has a committee of twelve, who assist in obtaining donations and subscriptions and furthering the good cause in and around the city. The grind is a daily one, but hear, oh reader, the other side of the story. Last year over one thousand animals were taken in and cared for, over four hundred were destroyed, owners were found in many cases and their pets restored, new owners were found for others, and are visited quarterly by a committee lady! And still the debt on the original mortgage stands at over 400.

The populace of Bath is being educated to the help required by stray animals and places that care for them. Every day three or four cats are collected per push bicycle, and a card to the Manager at the Home always brings him along with advice or help. Whatever epitaph Mrs. Begg may eventually have, she will certainly deserve nothing finer than: "A devoted worker to the duty of loving care and kindness to homeless, starving animals." Finally, do not forget, whenever you are in Bath, that visitors are always welcome and shown over the Home of The Bath Society for Promotion of Kindness to Animals.

PETS' "BOARDING HOUSE." JUMBLE SALE IN AID OF BATH DOGS' AND CATS' HOME - Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 7th May 1932
Very appropriately timed, in view of the Dog Show, a jumble sale, in aid of the Dogs' and Cats' Home, Greenway Lane, Bath, was held on Thursday in the People's Mission Hall, Somerset Street. In the morning the hall was a busy scene, many ladies being engaged in emptying boxes and arranging the stalls. The home was started by Mrs. Begg, the late Dr. Charles Begg being the nominal president up to the time of his death. Mrs. Begg has now gone abroad to New Zealand, but it is hoped she will eventually return to England. In the meantime the ladies who were associated with her are carrying on the work, with the assistance of others who have since volunteered their services.

The Greenway Lane home I a place for boarding pets, wither dogs of cats, which are left at home during the absence of their owners on holiday; it is also a place for the painless "disposal" of animals who, through disease of other cause, are no longer wanted by their owners. It must be comforting to those who have to part from their old pets to have an institution where such animals can b painlessly dealt with in a special lethal chamber, where they pass away in sleep.

There was a good attendance at the sale, and the goods were quickly disposed of.

BOURNEMOUTH

LOST AND STARVING CATS. The Manageress of the Animals' Home, Wellington-road, writes "Amongst all the jubilation and festivity with which the Coronation is to be celebrated, may I again plead in your valuable paper on behalf of the dumb those who have so few helpers. The Home for Lost and Starving Cats at Parkstone already needs extending, for, alas, the old tale is told over and over of owners leaving their cats when they change their residence to starve, and they are often shut in empty houses. The Home takes in these poor creatures; also injured animals, and these are mercifully destroyed. We do not ask for luxuries, the strictest economy is practised. We only plead that we may not quite forgotten during the national jubilation, and that some crumbs may fall from kind hands help carry the good work Visitors are cordially invited to inspect the Home, and the smallest sum will lie gratefully received by the hon, manageress." (Western Gazette, 20th June 1902)

BOURNEMOUTH SHELTER FOR LOST CATS. ADDRESS BY LADY PENDER. (Bournemouth Daily Echo, 17th November 1905) In connection with the bazaar held yesterday at the Central Hall in aid of the Bournemouth and District Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats, a meeting was held during the afternoon to hear an address by Lady Pender on the objects of the work. Mr. Arthur J. Coke (Chairman of the Committee), presided, being accompanied the platform by Lady Pender, General Mallaby, Sir Digby Murray, Bart., Rev. T. Perkins (Blandford), the Hon. Mrs. Pleydell-Bouverie, Mrs. R. Badeley, and others. There was a good attendance, consisting principally of ladies.

Lady Pender, having remarked that was pleasure to speak on behalf of the cats' refuge, confessed to having a warm corner in her heart for the nice, domestic, peaceful cat. A nice, fat, plump, pretty pussy sitting the fire purring while the kettle was singing on the hob made a picture in any home. No animal stood so much in need of kindness, and no animal so well repaid it. It seemed to her incredible that people having made a pet of this animal, having used it to clear the house of mice or amuse the children, could be so inhumane when they left home or changed their residence, to leave their pet to stray, to be subjected to cruelty, and to starve. When cats were thus left to stray they would remain near the house for several days, and then going in search of food would the object of cruelty by thoughtless boys and men; boys throwing stones at it, and men setting their dogs on it, with result that would seek refuge in some garden to await a miserable death from its wounds, or from starvation. But this was not a fancy picture, it was happening every day. All compassionate people should make it their business to tell their friends in plain language what cruelty they were thus inflicting by their thoughtlessness. The fear of hurting their friends' feelings should not deter them from telling their friends in language strong enough make them uncomfortable when they thought of them. No man or woman could be considered human who did not treat their pet animals properly. There was absolutely no excuse for this cruelty, for it could all be avoided if persons who did not wish to keep their cat any longer would take it to a chemist, and at the cost of threepence for prussic acid [cyanide] give it a peaceful death. People who said they did not wish to be so cruel as to do that, were Judases, having more regard for their own feelings than for their cat. There was absolutely no cruelty in thus killing a cat.

In other remarks, Lady Pender said she would like to see tax put cats, if only that thoughtless people would not then keep them. It would also reduce their number, for there were at present too many cats. In destroying kittens they should keep only the males if any were to be kept, and the others should be destroyed before they were more than a few hours old. It was, she thought, a shameful disgrace to a place like Bournemouth that there should any need for a cats' shelter. But as it was needed, she hoped it would be used for giving the animals a painless death, and for looking after those who would otherwise stray during the absence of their owners.

The Rev. T. Perkins also gave an address, and Mr. Coke spoke of the objects of the Dumb Friends' League with which he is associated. Lady Pender was presented with a bouquet, the presentation being made by the daughter of Inspector Booth, R.S.P.C.A.

BRIGHTON

[CHRISTMAS AT MISS HARPER'S CATS' HOME]Gentlewoman, 23rd January 1897
Among the many eccentric Christmas treats provided, none has amused me more than that which was given at Miss Harper's Cats' Home at Brighton, where are housed a number of homeless cats, which are brought there usually in a starving condition, either by reason of quarter-day, or from their owners taking a holiday. A lady much interested in these feline waifs generously provided the funds for a Christmas dinner, and Miss Harper, knowing pussy's love of rabbits, purchased a good supply and boiled them for their dinners, which was preceded by a breakfast of good giblet soup, and followed by a tea of nice hot buns which they enjoyed, I am told, as much as we did our plum pudding! Among the subscribers to the Home are the Duchess of Bedford, Lady Marcus Beresford, and the National Cat Club, while several exhibitors support it by sending their cats to Miss Harper, to be taken care of as "parlour boarders."

BRISTOL

THE PLEA FOR CATS. (Western Daily Press, 4th November 1905) Sir, I have read with interest the two letters that appeared in your columns suggesting a separate home for lost and starving cats, and one which appears in to-day's paper stating that the writer had destroyed a number of cats. Your correspondent is probably not aware that the Bristol Dogs Home, which was established over 18 years ago, has always had separate compartments for the reception of stray cats, and many of our subscribers support the institution for this purpose. In consequence of cats, when a number are confined together, contracting influenza, and although every effort was made to crush this disease, my committee reluctantly came to the conclusion that they would not receive cats in the home as boarders, but that the home would, heretofore, be open for the reception strays, and immediately upon a request being made at the home a keeper is sent to fetch the cat, for which no charge is made. If a cat is specially sent by its owner to be destroyed, the fee is 2s 6d, except on Fridays, when it is 1s. When cats are sent to the home as strays no charge is made for destroying. I do not know what process your correspondent destroyed the 80 cats he referred to, but from experience, when amateurs attempt this function it is generally the chemist's shop and prussic acid, whereas at our institution we have the lethal chamber, which has been acknowledged by several of the leading anaesthetic doctors in Bristol to be a painless operation. I shall therefore be glad if you will give publicity to this letter, so that the citizens of Bristol are not under the impression that although cats are not received as boarders strays are refused. Yours truly, EDWARD T. PARKER, Hon. Sec.

SHELTER FOR LOST AND STARVING CATS. Bristol, Bath and West of England Branch. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 12th January 1911
The annual report and balance sheet of the above Institution (The Bristol Cats' Home Park Row, Bristol), just issued, shows the good progress made by this useful and humane work, the Bristol Home was founded by Mrs. Graham in December, 1907, and during these three years has been the means of rescuing 3,341 poor, starving and unwanted cats from the miseries and cruelties the streets. The Bath Home, which Mrs. Graham founded in May, was amalgamated last June with the Bristol Home, for the four years' work in Bath had proved that it was impossible to get sufficient financial support to cover the expenses connected with the work and the Committee felt themselves compelled to close the premises in Thomas Street. It was decided, however, that the stray cats of Bath should not suffer through this, but that the rescue work should be continued through the home in Bristol. It is gratifying to learn that the arrangement is working very successfully, for during the past six months 164 Bath stray cats have been received at the Park Row Institution, making a total over 2,000 strays rescued in Bath through Mrs. Graham's work since May, 1906. Anyone finding a lost or stray cat is invited to pack it in small hamper or box (ventilated) and send it, per rail, addressed, "Bristol Cats' Home, Park Row, Bristol," where it will be received absolutely free of charge. The carriage is only 6d., and if the sender really cannot afford to pay that, Mrs. Graham will do so. It is, however, hoped that all who can will pay the carriage, and any donation they can afford to send will also be most acceptable towards the expenses connected with the work. As it is quite impossible to get the residents in some poor districts to take this small amount of trouble on behalf of the poor cats, and as the quantity of homeless cats in such districts is greater than in the more fashionable quarters and their condition more pitiful, Mr. Graham visits Bath once or twice weekly and collects strays from these parts of the city. Although the premises in Bath have been closed, the good work originated by Mrs. Graham five years ago is still being continued and full provision is made to relieve Bath of its starving, unwanted felines.

Referring to the annual report, we find that the work progressing most favourably. Mrs. Graham endeavours to make the Home as self-supporting as possible, and it is interesting to note that the larger portion of the income is derived from work done, such as cats boarded, sold, or destroyed. These items amount to 90 for the year, the subscriptions and donations amounting to 62. The only labour charged in the expenses is for caretaker and messenger, Mr. and Mrs. Graham continuing to give their labours towards the good work. Amongst the subscribers it is gratifying to find the President, Vice- President and all the Committee of the late Thomas Street Home. Subscribers to the work in Bath during the past year will note that the names of those who subscribed previous to June do not appear in the subscription list, these monies having been used in settling the affairs at Thomas Street. Subscriptions since June are, however, shown in the list and the Committee trust that the names of all past subscribers will appear in the list of the coming year.

As the work is being extended throughout the whole of the West of England it is to be hoped that all lovers of animals will subscribe as liberally as possible. A new feature for the benefit of poor people's pets is being introduced in the shape of sick benefit tickets. One ticket is given with each 5s. subscription. The ticket will entitle the holder to advice and medicine (from Mrs. Graham, M.N.A.V.S., cat and dog expert) for one sick pet (cat or dog) and it is hoped that subscribers will give these tickets to poor people who could not afford to pay for veterinary advice for their pets. Those using tickets are asked to write giving fullest possible particulars of symptoms of ailment, also state how the pet is fed. Mrs. Graham will post medicine and fullest advice per return.

Friends are invited to visit the premises in Park Row any day, from 2 to 5 o'clock. All communications and subscriptions should be addressed to Mrs. Graham, Bristol Cats' Home, Park Row, Bristol.

CHELTENHAM

CHELTENHAM CATS' HOME, SHELTER, AND HOSPITAL (Gloucestershire Echo, 12th September 1911)
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "ECHO." Sir, Allow me to make an urgent appeal to the inhabitants of Cheltenham to help me to carry on this very humane and noble work. The object of this institution is to give a shelter to lost and starving cats, and to put to sleep (free of charge) all diseased animals, and find homes for healthy ones. A home is also offered to owners' pets during their absence from home. Donations and annual subscriptions are urgently needed to defray the cost of fitting the home with cages, wired-in runs, lethal chambers, etc., etc. Visitors are cordially invited. (MRS.) ROSE WALKER. 1 St, James's-parade, Cheltenham.

DUBLIN

CARE FOR SICK CATS (Argus Leader, 6th January 1890)
An Institution in Ireland for the Treatment of Maimed and Disabled Felines. An appeal for contributions to an unusual and peculiar charity appears in The Animal World, to which lovers of the feline race will doubtless respond with alacrity. It seems that the home for "starving and forsaken cats," founded about four years ago by Miss Swifte, is sadly in need of money to carry on its humane und eminently practical and necessary work. While babies starve in the tenements, the cat's retreat is maintained and supported in such a manner that every kitten receives personal attention and interest, and none are allowed to leave the home unless guarantee is made that they will better their condition.

This home is built at Whitechurch lodge, Rathfarnham, County Dublin, and its object is to protect cats against brutal neglect and actual torture, to nurse them in sickness, and support them when forsaken, and to this work Miss Swifte gives her personal supervision and attention, together with such devotion as only enthusiastic women bestow upon the particular cause they espouse.

This worthy lady has received much odium as pioneer in a new enterprise outside the line of popular approval invariably experienced, but, pinning her faith to the queen's sentiment that "no civilization is complete which does not include the dumb and defenceless of God's creatures within the sphere of charity and mercy," she maintains by sustained effort the work she considers paramount, and of which we subjoin an account, published in her fourth annual report:

"The friends and subscribers of this institution will learn with satisfaction that it maintains its position in every sense of the word. We are enabled to state it has held its ground through adverse times and continues to be a progressive work. We have brought it successfully to the close of its fourth year, not without having had often stern difficulties to face; however, we can, in all truth, say that many a poor cat has been saved from brutal treatment or a similar death by finding an ever ready welcome and shelter within its walls, while others have been received there, rescued from deplorable wretchedness, misery and starvation. During 1888, 326 cats and kittens were received into the stray department, as against 204 in the previous year.

"Space will only permit us to describe a few of the most glaring cases, while in a general way we can mention that numbers are brought in wounded or more or less maimed by boys, dogs, men, traps, poison, etc. These are among the enemies this particular race of animals has to contend with every day, and yet there are acts of parliament to protect them from all. One creature was brought in with the flesh severely lacerated on both sides. One cat was brought in with its back broken and unable to stand: this creature was in great suffering; we knew recovery was impossible, and therefore it was immediately destroyed. Several were brought in With an eye knocked out with the blow of a stone. One was thrown into the grounds with legs paralyzed; one with its leg much bruised by a trap; this cat recovered and got a good country home in England, the gentleman, in whom we had every confidence, taking it over himself, along with a valuable Persian that had boarded for eight weeks in the home.

"We are quite aware that our work is derided by some, but we do not in the least care what people think or say. We are above that kind of folly; being convinced that our cause is a righteous one; that is sufficient for us. We invite all who deride such a work to suggest a remedy that would create a better state of things for cats or one that could lessen a manifest evil, seeing they (cats) have a right to protection. We think we can have no loftier aim than in carrying out the wish of our queen on this subject, which are quite d'accord with our own, and directing our efforts in an special manner toward subduing the sufferings of this race of animals, which her majesty has been graciously pleased to single out for special mention in order to elevate them."

With visions of ravaged larders and depleted supplies, with remembrance of midnight serenades when Tommy meets his Tabby upon the garden wall to touch our hearts and loosen our purse-strings, we wish success and prosperity to the cats' retreat and kittens' shelter.

[DUBLIN HOME FOR STARVING AND FORSAKEN CATS] Lady of the House, 15th May 1891
The Dublin Home for Starving and Forsaken Cats, located on Grand Canal Quay, has issued some statistics of its work. from which we learn that 277 foundling cats of various sexes and ages were received and provided for during the past year. Those townsfolk who are about leaving the city for their annual visit to the sea and find a difficulty in disposing of Pussy during their absence can send the "harmless, necessary" one to the boarding department of the Home. It is inhuman to leave the faithful mouser to starve in an empty house, and quite dishonest to expect that she should seek sustenance in the larders of the neighbours - not, indeed, that all who use the Home are exactly quite fair in their dealings, for we read, with a shock, that many of the cats herein deposited have heavy, unpaid board bills under their names in the ledger. The cats' menu is tempting and ample. At 9 a.m., bread and milk breakfast; 2 p.m. sees dinner in progress - meat, or fish and vegetables; at 5 o'clock comes a bread and milk supper. The food is of most excellent quality, and as for the milk - why Canon Bagot is the contractor. Under these circumstances we are not surprised to learn that wretched wrecks of cats brought to the Home have, under the good regimen, thriven immensely, eventually being sold into excellent homes. In the list of patronesses we find the names of the Duchess of Portland, Baroness Burdett Coutts, Lady Ardilaun, Lady Iveagh, Lady Fitzgerald, and the Hon. Mrs D. Plunket. The subscriptions, which unfortunately show a slight decrease, include such widely diverse items as 500 towards the building fund from Mr. Richard Barlow Kennett, half a sovereign from a lady who sold her muff for that amount for the purpose of contributing, and one florin, the offering of a poor governess, who tells us that she sighs for "hundreds" in order to contribute more liberally to the comforts of what she calls those "poor dumb muter," which is certainly an amewsing way to designate the sweet midnight minstrel of the tile.

REWARD. Freeman's Journal, 4th June 1891
Reward, 5; on April 30th, a tabby male cat was brought to the home for Lost and Starving Cats having been found straying in Hatch-street, after recently undergoing a cruel operation; the iris of each eye had been scientifically excised; no injury had been done to the remaining portion of the eyes, nor was there any bruise or other wound on the animal; the above reward will be paid to any person giving such information as will lead to the conviction of the offender. Apply Manager Cats' Home, Grand Canal quay, or to Miss Swifte, Whitechurch Lodge, Rathfarnham (Dublin).

THE DUBLIN CATS' AND DOGS' HOME. Lady of the House, 15th October 1892
Miss Swifte, the friend of the feline race generally, and of forsaken and starving cats in particular, deserves the highest praise for her administrative power as well as her humanity, in bestowing her time, attention, and money upon those lesser creatures - the pets of our households, who yet are ofttimes pitiable sufferers in the midst of our advanced civilization. Having founded the Home in 1883, entirely at her own expense, with the assistance of the late Richard Barlow Kennett, Esq., who placed in her hands the generous sum of 500 at the beginning of her building operations, she has since then carried it on under her own supervision, subjected to regulations, most efficient and orderly, prescribed by herself.

Miss Swifte states the primary object of her institution to be - to receive, feed, and shelter cats found starving, lost, deserted and unclaimed (abandoned often by heartless people who have changed their places of residence), and to protect them within her hospitable walls until they can be restored to their owners, or humanely disposed of. In the ultimate disposition of such furry unfortunates as have no friends, every care is taken, and many inquiries made before a purchaser obtains possession of the cat, and no sale is made without an order from Miss Swifte, or the Secretary of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who must be satisfied as to the home which is offered to the animal being a legitimate one. No cats are sold to doctors for experimental purposes, nor are experiments permitted to be practised upon them within the Home.

As this charitable institution enjoys no subsidy whatever, and is not affiliated with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, further than in occupying jointly the space of half an acre of ground, Miss Swifte seeks public assistance from all lovers of animals, and that her efforts are appreciated is evident by the subscription list which is added to her report of the Home for the year 1891; in it are recorded the names of many prominent citizens and well - known leaders of society, accompanying donations which range from 10 to 2s., which, together with those of the previous year, amount to 75 16s. 6.

In addition to the shelter for strays, a boarding establishment is provided for the cared - for pets of families who may be abroad, and this department is very interesting. The fee is only one shilling per week and sixpence each for kittens, for which moderate charge the cats are thoroughly well fed and cared for - the diet and hours of feeding being as follows:
Breakfast at 9 a.m. - Bread and Milk.
Dinner at 2 p.m. - Meat or Fish and Vegetables.
Supper at 5 p.m. - Milk (unadulterated).
The bread, meat, fish, and even occasional poultry are supplied by contract, and the milk used is from Canon Bagot's Model Dairy. There is very little apparent difference between the pay ward - if one may so term it - and that occupied by the casuals, unless such luxuries as the accommodation of barred ladders leading from the paved court to the sleeping shelves above, and a few private boxes in the latter for such as are of a retiring disposition and too shy - at first - to partake of the general baskets! The ladies appeared to me to be very warmly housed, and the gentlemen enjoy additional exercise in their grass plot by means of a form of gymnasium, not unlike a bear - pole or imitation tree stem. There are besides, private apartments for especial boarders (at some small increase of charge), where a distinguished Persian, or very much indulged pet, may have his or her own particular mat placed in the sleeping hutch, and their favourite diet served in a personal dish; these separate cages are movable and have wooden floors, while the general houses are asphalted, and have the beds arranged on a second storey; but all are kept scrupulously clean, and afford abundant space for the roaming propensities of the inmates, as well as comfortable shelter from rain and during the night, with a result which speaks for itself. Over ninety boarders have been received since the 1st January.

Perhaps the most interesting section of the house is the Kitten Nursery, which is heated by a small stove of its own, and has a grassy play - ground attached; it was in full occupation at the time of my visit, and the pretty little "cots" quite fetched me! They were fine wicker baskets, circular in form, of a size that would hold from 4 to 6 eggs, and filled with white cotton wool; they were nearly all filled when I saw thew, the occupants having had their tea, and apparently retired for the evening. I was glad to see so many boarders, as they told of an active appreciation of the Home, while the still larger number of waifs spoke touchingly of the wants of our poor domestic animals.

One cannot help wondering what was the original state of these creatures. They are mighty hunters and evidently intended to find their own food, yet, in a civilized form, to which they so aptly adapt themselves in acquiring the most domesticated habits, they become entirely dependent on their masters, not only for food but complete protection. On what grounds did the Egyptians hold the cat to be a sacred animal? Can it have been that, insensibly, they acted as a species of jackal or scavenger to that mystic, but unsanitarian, land?
[The account then went on to the RSPCA Dogs' Home]
Etta Catterson Smith.

DUBLIN CATS' AND DOGS' HOME. Lady of the House, 15th November 1892
[. . .] Miss Swifte's humane effort on behalf of starving cats had struck me as being so truly womanly as to deserve some attention from a woman's paper, and I am grateful in having received a personal letter, most generously appreciative from that lady. The dogs at the Home merely came under my notice en passant.
E Catterson-Smith

[DUBLIN CATS' HOME] Lady of the House, 15th October 1894
We are pleased to receive the annual report of the Dublin Home for Starving and Forsaken Cats, and to notice not only its favourable balance sheet, but such names as the Hon. Mrs. Henniker and the Right Hon. The Lord Roberts added to its list of subscribers. A life boarder has just been admitted whose mistress has gone to India, and 83 kitten orphans were rescued from the ruthless hands of juvenile tormentors during the past year, some of them afterwards disposed in comfortable homes, while several valuable Persians were at different times taken care of in the institution while their owners were abroad. Miss Swifte's report is pleasant reading from a literary point, in addition to its great interest as a record.

DUBLIN SOCIETIES. (Waterford Standard, 16th December 1950)
The good work of the D.S.P.C.A., which runs the Cats' and Dogs' Home at Grand Canal St., Dublin, is well known. New kennels have been added to accommodate the increase in Dublin's animal population, A comparison of the numbers received in 1936 and 1949 may help us to realise how urgent the problem is becoming in our capital. 1936: there were admitted 9,264 cats; 1949; there were admitted 16,050 cats.

FROM "A LADY'S LONDON LETTER" Cheltenham Examiner, 10th March 1910
There is in Dublin a Home for starving and forsaken cats, with a special chloroform chamber where cats may be painlessly put to death. This Home was sympathetically and practically helped by the lady whose will has been made the subject for much unsympathising as well as approving comment. The lady, Miss Alice Mary Swifte, I knew personally, as during my residence in Ireland of some years, I placed a valuable cat under her care, and was much struck with the spirit in which she dealt with such trusts. It seemed to me that she had a faculty for cats, and that she included them in her estimate of reasonable animals, not merely, as so many hold them, as necessary vermin for the extinction of unnecessary vermin, with no right of human treatment, or claim to be treated from ill usage. I know that of recent years the case of poor Pussy has attracted helpful sympathy in England, and in London, especially, where she is too often a negligible quantity and left to fend for herself. But that she is having a better time is due to persons like Miss Swifte, who do not regard the animal world as creatures made for our use, and abuse, if so we in our arrogance see fit. The humanitarian influence is very subtle and permeates insensibly, touching slumbering chords of feeling and awakening conscience to violated responsibilities. I use the word violated advisedly, as no duty is imposed upon us without its attendant consciousness. When I left Ireland for good I sent for my cat, and I was greatly touched by the anxiety Miss Swifte showed that she should be carefully conveyed and met on her arrival at the station, not left to a busy porter and a delivery cart.

One of the provisions in Miss Swifte's will was that should any cats in the Home be used for vivisection, the legacy should be void. And a grant of two guineas was provided for persons obtaining convictions of cruelty to cats. The testatrix knew too well that humanity had its price. There were various other bequests to other Cats' Homes, both in this country as well as Ireland, with sums to societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Miss Swifte was of opinion that it only required kindly treatment to raise a cat to a level at which it can express an intelligence not inferior, in limits, to that of the dog. Pussy, I know, has the defects of her qualities, but, grant the quality this can be trained or developed, just as in a child. Fashion, so cruel to fur and plumage, has done poor pussy a right good term: it has made her a craze, one perhaps not now so violent as a few years ago, but a powerful fad at the least. Cat shows have demonstrated what our sleek friend is capable of in personal beauty, and that when this is pronounced she is a valuable money item. These shows have ensured her a status very different to that of some years ago.

FOLKESTONE

UNDER DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE. Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, 5th July 1913
A cafe chantant and garden fete will be held in the grounds the West Cliff Hotel on July 30th, at 3 p.m., in aid of the Home for Stray Dogs and Cats shortly to be opened in Folkestone. If the weather be wet, the event will be held indoors.

GLASGOW

GLASGOW DOG AND CAT HOME (ANNUAL MEETING) Glasgow Herald, 20th December 1899
Of 227 boarded cats received during the year, 174 were returned to their owners, 35 died, 8 were left in the home for disposal, 3 destroyed by request of owners, 4 escaped, and 4 remained in the home at the end of the years.
Of 279 stray cats, only 1 was claimed, 44 were given away to good homes for small fees, generally at the purchasers' pleasure [i.e. donations], 225 were destroyed by means of the lethal chamber as being old, diseased, and useless; and 21 were left in the home at the close of the year.
[. . .] In the course of discussion it was suggested that the home might be popularised by holding a dog and cat show.

HASTINGS & ST. LEONARDS

CATS' HOME AT HOLLINGTON. AN INTERESTING INSTITUTION. APPEAL FOR SUPPORT. - Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 10th June 1905

Comparatively few residents in Hastings and St. Leonards know of the existence of an interesting little institution at Victoria-cottage, Hollington, known the Cats' Home. It is a Committee of ladies, with Miss O'Neill and Mrs. Willmott as joint hon. secretaries and treasurers, and it is really well worth a visit. The house is open to receive boarders, that is to say, people going away can place their cats in the home to looked after, and boarded. Stray cats are also taken and kept for certain time. Diseased cats are instantly destroyed by chloroform. There is no charge for receiving stray cats, but the home is, of course, always glad to receive donations, and here we may say that the Committee will be grateful for increased support. All contributions, either in money or for rummage sales, which are held twice a year, and are the main stay of the home, will be thankfully received by Miss O'Neill at 9, Blomfield-road, St. Leonards, and Mrs. Willmott, at 3, Pelham-street, Hastings. One of these rummage sales was held in the St. Matthew's Parish Room Thursday last, and the proceeds amounted to 15. The stall-holders and helpers were: Mrs. Willmott and the Misses Powell, Garforth, Weller, Relton, Vaughan-Arbuckle, and O'Neill. The home is open to the public for inspection every afternoon, Sundays excepted, and it deserves to be more widely known. We may add that there is a resident caretaker who will be pleased to show visitors round, and also that the home is visited by Mr. Woodruffe Hill, veterinary surgeon, who kindly gives[donates] his services.

IPSWICH

CATS' HOME FOR IPSWICH. ([Ipswich] Evening Star, 8th February 1908)To the Editor. Sir, I was pleased to notice a suggestion that there should be home for lost and starving cats in Ipswich. So many large towns have an institution for cats, and while Ipswich has a dogs' home, there is no provision made for the poor wretched creatures about our streets who have no means of subsistence, or those who are cruelly left unprovided for during the holiday season, when their owners are away. The Royal Institution at Camden Town do splendid work in various ways. (1) Receives and collects homeless and diseased cats and painlessly destroys them. (2) Provides a temporary home for lost cats. (3) Boards cats at a moderate weekly charge while their owners are away. It would be excellent if some ladies who are lovers of animals could take the matter up, and have a home started on similar lines in Ipswich if only in a small wav at first. Possibly the R.S.P.C.A. might do something, and thereby add to its good work. If anything definite can be done, I shall be pleased to offer to subscribe annually to such a good and deserving institution.

LEEDS

THE UNNECESSARY CAT. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 22nd February 1908
To the Editor of The Yorkshire Post. Sir, l venture to express surprise that the city of Leeds has up to the present time made no provision for the lost and starving cats to be found in its streets. In London, and most of our cities and in several of our large towns, there are now shelters or receiving where lost and "not wanted" cats may be taken, and where, if not claimed, they may be sold to good homes or mercifully destroyed. From a humane point of view such an institution is indispensable, and those who have no compassion for animal suffering cannot fail to see the advantage to the public in having their streets and gardens cleared of homeless and diseased animals, which wander about lost and uncared for until they die of starvation or become the victims of some form of cruelty. Our Sheffield shelter during the past two years has received 5,455 of these lost and not wanted creatures! These figures show the need that exists for such places in all large centres.

I believe I am not mistaken in asserting that the population of Leeds exceeds that of Sheffield, and if so the need there is still greater. Are there not enough kindly-hearted men and women in Leeds willing to give but the crumbs charity towards the opening of a Cats' Shelter in their own city? The yearly cost such a place is only small a small house, with stable, yard, and outbuildings being that would be required in the way of premises. Cats could also be received as "boarders" during their owners' absence from home, for a certain fixed sum per week, and this would help to meet expenses. I will willingly give donation to the scheme if others will do same, and shall be glad to give any information that may be desired on the subject how to start a cats' shelter. Yours, etc., JANE BARKER, Hon. Treasurer, Sheffield Cats' Shelter. The Rookery, Broomhall Park, Sheffield.

"POOR PUSSY!" AN APPEAL FOR THE FELINE WAIFS AND STRAYS. VISIT TO THE LEEDS CATS' SHELTER. (By "The Odd Man Out.") Yorkshire Evening Post, 24th March 1909
A little grey kitten gave greeting as I entered the Shelter for Lost and Starving Gate, in Craven Road, Woodhouse Street, this morning. Poor little orphan kit was company with five others of her tribe, who were too intent on the milk to pay attention to a casual stranger. Little Kit had breakfasted sumptuously, and was plainly in a humour for conversing in that wailing language which may either mean anger or affection. Whether puss chooses the house-top, in the silent watches of the night, for earnest pleading or fierce denunciation, I am unable to distinguish. But I am sure that the little grey-eyed kitten sorely wanted a home. So did the lonely and friendly cat that purred around my feet and murmured friendly things. Sullen was the mood of another feline outcast whose deplorable state was not less due to human neglect than to the cursive habits of small boys and ill-conditioned curs who had hunted this wretched, timorous creature till some kindly soul had taken pity upon the inarticulate outcast and brought him the Shelter, for painless extinction.

In a clean compartment, in solitude serene, a Persian lay drowsily blinking, all unconscious of impending doom. This lovely creature was brought in as a waif and stray fortnight ago, and, had it been healthy, would have been a valuable animal. But it was found to be suffering from a malady which resisted all the efforts and remedies of the kindly custodian. In a special apartment was a "boarder,'' a complacent, self-contained cat. whose thoughtful owners, on leaving Leeds for a while, had boarded pussy out for the small sum of eighteenpence a week.

It is mainly in behalf of the friendless cat, the feline outcast and orphan, that Lady Morrison makes a pathetic appeal, which is published to-day. Her Ladyship who has identified herself with this humane enterprise from its inception explains in her letter to the Press that cats taken to the Craven Road Shelter are kept for few days, and, if not claimed, are painlessly destroyed by chloroform. There has been a generous response Lady Morrison's former appeal which appeared the columns of "The Yorkshire Evening Post," but the work is still in need of funds. As many as 80 stray cats have been received at the shelter in one month. On the wall of this asylum for the pariahs of pussdom found document, the simple details of which worth wide publicity:-

HINTS TO HOUSEHOLDERS. When moving house or going away for a holiday, do not be so cruel as to leave your cat behind. Think of her terrible agony as she wanders round the house which was once her happy home. Once she was well-fed, petted, and protected; now she is a miserable outcast through no fault of her own. If you cannot take Puss with you, leave her in the charge of some trustworthy person who will provide food and shelter. Remember the awful fate to which your pet is doomed if you forsake her. ... Far better take her to the nearest Lethal Chamber and see for yourself that she is painlessly put to sleep. To these precepts and proverbs may be properly conjoined the printed observation that "Those who cannot afford to feed a cat or are too busy to see that the animal is rightly treated, ought not to keep cat at all." All who care to befriend the relatives of a creature whose cult was great in Egypt in the dawn of civilisation may send donations or subscriptions which will be gratefully received, to the Hon. treasurer, Miss Tatham, Rosegarth, Far Headingley.

THE LEEDS CAT SHELTER Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 18th December 1909
The first annual meeting of the committee of the Leeds Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats was held last night at the Church Institute. It was state that during the year 636 homeless cats had received attention at the Shelter in Craven Road, Woodhouse, while owners of 190 cats had sent their pets to be "boarded" for a small weekly payment. An appeal for funds was made by the Committee to enable them to carry out their work, it being pointed out that by taking destitute and diseased cats from the streets a useful sanitary work was being done.

THE LEEDS CATS' SHELTER. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 15th July 1911
To the Editor of The Yorkshire Post. Sir, May I be allowed, on behalf of the Committee of the above to draw the attention of the readers of "The Yorkshire Post" to the change of address of the Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats m Leeds? We have long felt the need of a more commodious and convenient place than that hitherto used as the shelter, and having found premises which will better meet our requirements, have decided to move into them at once. The new shelter is conveniently situated in No. 35, King's Road, and being only a few minutes walk from the junction of Moorland Road and Hyde Park Road, is within easy reach of the tramcars. A further advantage of the new premises over the old ones is a small piece of ground attached to the shelter, which will give the cats, and especially the boarder cats entrusted to our care, some chance of exercise. We have secured the services of a caretaker, who, we have every reason to believe, is well fitted for the post. She has had great experience in the management of cats in health and in sickness, having been a successful exhibitor various cat shows.

A removal of this sort cannot be made without expense, and as the rent of the new premises is considerably more than has been paid before, further help is needed to carry on the work. Therefore the Committee ventures to appeal very earnestly to all those who are interested this work, and who have at heart the welfare of creatures who are so powerless to help themselves. Many kind supporters of the shelter have given most generous help, for which the Committee is very grateful, but we are now compelled to ask for further contributions, and we should be most thankful for an increase in the number of regular subscribers to the shelter. All subscriptions and donations from the smallest sums upwards will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the hon. treasurer, Miss Tatham, Rosegarth, Far Headingley, Leeds. Yours, etc., E. H. FORD, President. Adel Grange, July 14, 1911

THE STRAY CATS OF LEEDS. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 29th November 1911
The annual meeting of subs the Leeds Cats' Shelter was held Yesterday afternoon at the Leeds Church Institute. Miss E.H. Ford in the chair. The annual report referred to the removal of the Shelter to new and mere commodious premises in King's Road, where more effective work could now be accomplished. The Committee appealed to people to board their pets at the shelter, where animals could kept in good health and condition During the past year 581 stray cats were received at the Shelter. The report and accounts were adopted, and officers appointed for the ensuing year.

THE LEEDS CATS' SHELTER. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 24th October 1912
The movement originated by Lady Morrison and her sister, Mrs. Firth, some two-and-a-half years ago, to care for the stray cats of Leeds has a good account of service, and the Committee are desirous of extending their sphere of usefulness. At the admirably conducted shelter at King's Road, Hyde Park, over a hundred household pets have been boarded for varying periods during the present year. Cats that are unclaimed are despatched by painless methods, and last year no fewer than 500 felines were so destroyed. So far the Shelter has been able to pay its way, thanks to the enthusiasm of the Committee, of whom Miss E.H. Ford [line missing] secretary. Additional funds, however, are required, and an effort towards securing them was made last night, when at the Headingly Parochial Institute a dramatic and miscellaneous entertainment was held. An excellent programme had been arranged by Miss Mabel Jacobson, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience. There were two sketches. In the first, which was entitled "Aunt Jane's Flat," Miss Mabel Jacobson and Mr. Garnett Puffitt appeared; the second was entitled "Tilda's New hat," and the performers were Miss Gladys Ferens, Miss Mabel Jacobson, miss Ida Whalley, and Mr. Eric David. Between the sketches songs were sung by Mrs. Norman Hughes and Mr. R. Ingham, recitation were given by Mr. Ernest Dalton, Mr. Nichol, and Miss m. Nichol, and there were Spanish and operatic dances by Miss Elsie Bedford. Miss Olive Procter supplied the incidental music.

THE STRAY CATS LEEDS. Yorkshire Evening Post, 4th December 1912
The officials and committee the Stray Cats' Shelter, King's Road, hold their annual meeting this evening, when a report the year's work will be read. The home was founded to deal with the numerous cats which are turned out onto the tiles, and not a few householders, whose nightly rest has been disturbed, owe the society a debt of gratitude. During the past twelve months 599 strays have been disposed of a slight increase as compared with last year. The majority were chloroformed, while others were found comfortable homes. The shelter has also housed 108 "boarders" cats whose owners contribute towards their support while they are on holidays.

APPEAL. Yorkshire Evening Post, 5th May 1915
Miss Elisabeth Ford, president of the Leeds Cats' Shelter, 37, Street, North Street, pleads for funds to help to carry the work. The treasurer is Miss Tatham. St. Chad's Gardens, Far Headingley, Leeds.

THE STORY OF A LEEDS SOLDIER AND HIS CAT. MAN WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. Yorkshire Evening Post, 8th October 1915
Among the many domestic stories brought to light by war, perhaps none will appeal to lovers of animals more than the following in which a Leeds soldier finds himself in a predicament through devotion to his pet cat. The soldier joined the colours last May, and shortly afterwards went into training with his regiment on Salisbury Plain. Just at the time his wife was summoned to Barnsley to attend an invalid sister, with the result that "Tabby" was without a home. Not wishing to lose his cat, the soldier took it to the Cats' Shelter in North Street, agreeing to pay the usual costs for its board. His allowance is only 7s. a week, and he finds himself unable to pay the 2s. a week demanded of him or a sum of 24s. due for maintenance of the animal in the past. For obvious reasons, does not desire his name to published, and he has written to "The Yorkshire Evening Post'" on the matter. The official in charge of the Cats' Shelter informed us to-day that if four weeks' charges remain unpaid in respect of an animal it becomes the absolute property of the committee. Just now, she added, it takes the committee all their time to keep the place going, for owing to the war the subscriptions have fallen considerably, while in addition, the cost of maintenance is very considerably higher.

THE CRUELTIES INFLICTED ON ANIMALS IN LEEDS. Yorkshire Evening Post, 2nd December 1916
Dr. H. Frobisher, of Headingley, made the startling statement to a representative of "The Yorkshire Evening Post" that in the treatment of dumb animals Leeds is one the most cruel towns the country. The remark emanated from a reference to work which is being carried on at the Cats' Shelter in Darley Street, Leeds. Dr. Frobisher, who maintains that Leeds should follow the example of Brighton and afford the Shelter municipal support, says that some of the cats and kittens, which have been brought to the shelter for a merciful destruction, had not only been tied in bags and thrown on dust heaps, but had been fiendishly mutilated. He attributes this brutality to dumb animals to the "complete failure of our educational system," which has aimed too much at cleverness, whilst goodness has been allowed to pass by unconsidered. Our world," He remarked, "is a beautiful world, but it is spoilt by devilry."

WOULD A TAX PROTECT THE DOMESTIC CAT ? THE WORK OF MERCY AT THE LEEDS SHELTER. Yorkshire Evening Post, 3rd December 1917
The committee of ladies who control the Cats' Shelter in Darley Street, Leeds, are appealing for funds to preserve the usefulness of the institution. And never was there time, they say, when it was more necessary to protect household pets from the cruelty of the streets. One gathers some interesting facts from this committee. Though the food required by a cat is very little, it found that the general shortage has reacted considerably to the detriment of the cat tribe. There are more homeless cats now in Leeds than ever there were, even after no few or than 1,096 have been painlessly put to death. A census of cats has never yet been attempted, but those who are competent to judge say there are more cats than dogs in the city; and the dogs, according to the licences issued, number over 19,000. On the subject of licences, the committee of the Cats' Shelter feel that the time has come when cats, like dogs, ought to be licensed, not merely to produce revenue, but as means of ensuring that there shall be less cruelty to cats which are not wanted. A tax of half-a-crown for each cat is suggested as the only effectual way for bringing about their better treatment. "Anyhow," it argued, "those who think sufficient of their pets to pay half-a-crown a year to keep them, would be sure to look after them. It will certainly come to that sooner or later, unless we have the country over-run with stray cats."

A cat was recently brought to the shelter suffering terribly from the effects of pepper which had been deliberately thrown into its eyes. Another had both its ears cut to a point, and its back partly skinned. Equally shocking was the case of a stray cat brought to the shelter by two Boy Scouts. It had had its back broken by a woman who was annoyed at finding it crouched on her door-step. In yet another case a family who removed left a cat and a litter of kittens in an empty house, where they slowly starved death. Complaint is made that while many people "haven't the heart" to destroy a cat by drowning, or poisoning, or any other speedy means, they are equal to the meaner and more cruel method of getting rid of it by turning it adrift. The case is mentioned of a cat which was taken many miles away, and always returned home. It found its way home from the market, again from one of the parks, and finally its owners had to have it despatched at the Cats' Shelter. The thieving of valuable cats, it sesems, still goes on. In the case of big Persian cats it is believed that after being stolen they are killed for the value of their furs, which is used in the cheaper variety of muffs and collars.

HORRIBLE CRUELTY TO CATS IN LEEDS. THE FOOD DIFFICULTY. Yorkshire Evening Post, 17th October 1918
As expected, the shortage of milk has led to considerable abandonment of cats which, of all domestic pets, can apparently most easily be spared. Milk is now denied to cats by the Food Controller's order, and in the mistaken belief that there is no adequate substitute many people are getting rid of their pets. In one day at the Leeds Cats' Shelter recently 25 stray cats have been received, and last Monday 17 cats from the street were brought to the shelter for merciful destruction. In just under twelve months 1,040 have been destroyed by the Shelter. A very considerable number of these were cats which had been ill-treated.

"The number of new-born kittens which are thrown out into the street and left die is appalling," says the report of the institution, but much more horrifying is a record of the cases of torture which was made known to a representative of The Yorkshire Evening Post to-day by Mrs. Oliver, caretaker of the Shelter in Darley Street. A was cat brought to the Shelter suffering terribly from scalds. An inhuman woman (so it was reported) had fiendishly thrown a pan full of boiling water upon the animal. Mewing piteously, a beautiful cat was carried to the Home with both its eyes gouged out, and hanging down its cheeks. The evil deed had apparently been done deliberately with a sharp instrument. Two dogs were encouraged to attack a kitten which, literally, had its skin torn almost completely off its body. When brought to the Shelter it looked "just like skinned rabbit." Two kittens were thrown on an ash-pit, and then covered with hot ashes. They were in agony until rescued by a passer-by. Among many other dreadful cases which have come before the notice of Mrs. Oliver are quite number which have been brought to the shelter with their tails chopped off. One poor animal had had both ears cut off obviously with a pair of scissors.

The excuse of many people who turn their cats adrift s that they can no longer give them milk. No milk whatever has been served at the Cats' Shelter for over a year. The food used there for the animals is a malt milk diluted with water, boiled horse-flesh, and cod-fish heads. One who has been a breeder and exhibitor of for many years, says "all best have been brought up on these foods rather than on milk, and for drinking they like water as well as anything." There are too many cats in Leeds, but owners should send them to the Shelter so that they may be put to death painlessly instead of cruelly casting them adrift.

THE PITIFUL CASE OF THE UNWANTED CAT. OVER A THOUSAND DESTROYED IN LEEDS THIS YEAR. Yorkshire Evening Post, 4th November 1919
Many opportunities of service have been brought to the notice visitors to the Leeds Town Hall this week; but is doubtful if any more unselfish work could be pointed out than that carried on at the Leads Cats' Shelter, Darley Street, by Mrs. Oliver. She was formerly a successful cat fancier, but her sympathies were aroused for homeless cats, condemned to wander, forlorn and suffering, in the streets; and she gave up her hobby to care for the "strays." During the years she has been engaged in this work Mrs. Oliver has destroyed nearly 10,000 cats. The number seems enormous. It is less a record of deaths inflicted, however, than of suffering averted or brought to a merciful end. "It seems kind to put the poor things out of their misery, that one doesn't think of it as the destruction of life," she said to a "Yorkshire Evening Post" representative who interviewed her amidst the cats to-day.

Mrs. Oliver is most distressed at the increasing number of maimed cats that are taken to her, and at the large number of kittens that are disposed of in the most heartless manner by unfeeling people. Five or six cats have been taken the Home this year with both eyes out, and 20 or 30 have been rescued from ash pits and lime pits, where they have been thrown alive, and covered with ashes or lime. Kind-hearted people have rescued them, burnt and suffering, and have taken them to the Home to be put out of their misery. Last week, a child picked up a parcel in Nelson Street, and found it to contain four kittens in a starving condition; and another child took a kitten to be destroyed which had had both its ears cut off. Chloroform is still used in the lethal chamber because, though very expensive, it is the only means convenient for the restricted space at the Home. An average of from 10 to 15 cats are destroyed each day, but sometimes the number reaches many as 30. Last year, an aggregate of 1,106 cats were "put to sleep" in the Home; this year the total has already reached 1,137. This does not necessarily imply that the number of stray cats is increasing. Mrs. Oliver hopes it is due to the Home becoming more widely known, and cats being taken there instead of being left to wander starving the streets.

Cats in poor condition are destroyed at once, but others are kept for a few days to enable owners to claim them if they wish, though it is pathetic to record that out of the whole number admitted this year only two kittens have been reclaimed. Mrs. Oliver no longer has pedigree cats of her own, but, being an expert judge, she has always an eye for the points of the animals admitted to the shelter. She is keeping particular look-out for that feline rarity, a tortoiseshell tom, because if one did come along, it could be sold with considerable advantage to the finances of the Home, where, in common with the general tendency, expenses are increasing more rapidly than the income from subscriptions. There no explanation of the fact that nearly all tortoiseshell cats are females. "I only know of one tortoiseshell tom at the present time." said Mrs. Oliver, "and that was sold for 60."

THE HUMANE WORK OF THE LEEDS CATS' SHELTER. Yorkshire Evening Post, 27th January 1920
The annual report of the Leeds Cats' Shelter, which was adopted at the annual meeting. today the Church Institute, showed that during 1919 fewer than 1,349 cats were destroyed the shelter. Of those, 1.302 had been stray cats taken into the home, and the other were taken by their owners to be destroyed. Reference was made to the good work done the home getting rid of stray cats which might have been the cause of spreading disease. The Hon. Treasurer's report showed a balance in hand 44, compared with 16 the previous year. Plans for the continuance of the work during the coming year were discussed and it was decided to distribute collecting boxes shops in the city, and to open shop in town for the purpose of a sale similar to the "white elephant" sale recently held in the city. Miss I. O. Ford was elected president, and the committee were reappointed en bloc.

TINY KITTENS DROPPED DOWN GRATES. BLACK SPOT IN A CLEANER LEEDS RECORD. Yorkshire Evening Post, 1st December 1920
"There has been a great increase in the work if the Leeds Cats' Shelter this year," says Mrs. Oliver, who is in charge, "and this is particularly encouraging for it shows that Leeds people are treating cats with more kindness than in the past. Instead them into the streets, to annoy neighbours and become a general nuisance, they are bringing them to the home to be destroyed. During 1919 we destroyed 1,300 stray and unwanted cats. So far this year we have destroyed 1,700, and by the end of the year it is probable the number will not be far short of 2,000. This year we have had few cases of cruelty and practically none of mutilation. In previous years, we have had animals brought to us with legs practically severed, with heads fearfully injured and bodies cut and torn. Some people, however, have queer ideas of kindness to tiny kittens. They will not drown them, and are too careless to bring them here to be destroyed, but they do not hesitate to tie them up in a paper bag and throw them into the roadway. It is extraordinary what a number of people adopt this method of getting rid of kittens. The other day a little boy picked up in Stamford Street a sugar box containing four tiny kittens. Another way of getting rid of unwanted kittens is to drop them down deep grates, out of which it is impossible for them to climb, and where they will starve to death. I was called out on Sunday to get a kitten out of just such a grate. The only way was to drop down a piece of wood fastened to a string, and let the kitten climb up."

Occasionally excellent specimens arrive at the shelter. "We never get a really valuable cat, however," said Mrs Oliver. "A white cat with blue-eyes would be valuable for show purposes a white one was brought in yesterday, but it had yellow eyes. We have had white cats with one blue and one yellow eye, but never with two blue eyes."

HOW IT IS DONE IN LEEDS. Yorkshire Evening Post, 22nd March 1923
There are only two homes in Leeds where large numbers of cats and dogs are destroyed - the R.S.P.C.A. Cat Shelter in Darley Street and the Dogs Home maintained by Leeds City Police and there is no doubt about the destination of bodies from these places. They are taken direct to the Leeds Corporation destructor by the servants of the Corporation, and incinerated in a perfectly proper way. Over 3,000 cats and many hundreds of dogs are dealt with annually in this way. No effort is even made save the skins of the cats. The Superintendent of the Cats Shelter said the idea seems absurd to those who understand this humane work, because half the cats which are destroyed in these homes are suffering from cancer or mange two contagious diseases.

TORTURERS. CATS HANGED ON LAMP-POSTS. CASES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY. R.S.P.C.A.'S GREAT WORK. Leeds Mercury, 11th March 1924
Special reference to revolting cruelty to cats was made in the report presented at the annual meeting of the Leeds Branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held in the Church Institute last night. Many -cases of horrible cruelty were dealt with, stated the report on the cats' shelter in Darley-street. One cat was cut down from a street where somebody had tried to hang it. The string round its neck had cut deeply into the flesh. Another had its ears cut off ; and one little kitten was found in a midden injured in the mouth and writhing with agony. The number of kittens tied up in parcels and bags and thrown into yards and passages was appalling. During the last year the number of cats received at the shelter was 3,725, an increase of 601 over the previous year, proving the great need for the Home. All cats brought in which were diseased or injured were immediately put to a painless end by chloroform. Stray cats, if healthy, were kept a few days to give the owners a chance of recovering them.

CRUELTY TO LEEDS CATS. Leeds Mercury, 17th March 1925
"Some of the cats showed evidence of appalling cruelty," states the report of the Leeds branch of the R.S.P.C.A., which was submitted to the annual meeting last night, referring to the animals admitted to the cats' shelter "One kitten had its eyes kicked out during a drunken fracas at Holbeck Feast," says the report "Numerous cats with burst eyes have been dealt with. . . Many Live kittens are placed in the dust-bins or put down grates anywhere to be rid them.'' Nearly 4,000 cats were brought in during the year; 5,145 dogs and 1,321 cats were painlessly destroyed.

14 DYING CATS IN ONE ROOM WITH THE WINDOW NAILED DOWN. Leeds Mercury, 30th September 1925
How a woman kept fourteen cats, all dying of mange and pneumonia, in one room, with the windows not only closed, but actually nailed down, was told to a Leeds Mercury representative yesterday by the woman superintendent of the Leeds Cats' Shelter. In addition, three dogs suffering from mange were kept in the yard outside. All these animals had been taken in by the mistress of the room out of a mistaken sense kindness, and had to destroyed when the matter was reported to the proper authorities. Another case was notified the R.S.P.C.A. by the woman Health Inspector a house which two diseased cats lived in a kitchen where children played.

"The risk of infection in these cases," remarked the Superintendent of the Shelter, "is so great that I myself always cover my hands before touching a cat suffering from mange, and we always destroy such cats immediately." An example of the opposite kind of treatment, but one equally unpleasant to the public, was the case of a man who was noticed putting a cat outside his door. There was no hair on its back. It was blind, and bleeding from a sore on its neck. "It belongs to me," explained the man, but I won't have it in the house, it has mange." "Why don't you take it to the Cats' Shelter " he was asked. "I don't think they would have it," was the reply. He evidently did not understand in the least the purpose of the shelter.

The superintendent was asked if she agreed with the suggested licensing of cats. "Most certainly," she declared. "I have been destroying cats in Leeds for fourteen years now, and each year the number has increased several hundreds. Last year, about 4,000 had to be put away. If cats were licensed, poor people who could not look after them properly would not have any because of the cost. At present, the main cause of the trouble is that people will take kittens perhaps a litter of any number up to about fourteen - till they are about three months old, as playthings for their children. Then the cats are turned out on to the streets. Licences would prevent them from keeping so many at any rate."

TO-DAYS YORKSHIRE WILLS. Yorkshire Evening Post, 31st January 1927
Mrs. M.E. Crosby, of Cliffe House, 2, Brunswick St., Leeds (net personalty, 15,822) 15,859. Testatrix left 200 to the R.S.P.C.A., 100 each to the Salvation Army for rescue work, and the Leeds Ladies' Association for the Care and Protection of Friendless Girls. 60 each to the Bird Protection Society and the. N.S.P.C.C, 50 each to the Leeds Cats' Shelter, the National Anti-Vivisection Society, the Leeds Public Dispensary, and the Leeds General Infirmary.

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: AN APPEAL . Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 5th March 1932
Sir, May I make an earnest appeal to the citizens of Leeds on behalf of the local branch of the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? The aim of the Society in Leeds is not only the prevention of direct cruelty, but also the alleviation of suffering amongst dumb animals, caused so often through ignorance or thoughtlessness. Our inspectors, assisted by voluntary helpers, try to achieve this object by treatment, by advice, and by encouraging everyone to take a real and kindly interest in their animals. We already have, at 38, Darley Street, off North Street, a free dispensary for sick animals, and at the same address a cats' shelter, where stray cats may be painlessly destroyed and where pet cats may be boarded at a small charge. A pony and donkey show is held annually under the auspices of the Society. The Committee feel that the scope of their work should be increased there is much waiting to be done simply for lack of funds, and I am most anxious to obtain fresh collectors and subscribers. Any sums, however small, will be gratefully acknowledged, and may be sent to me either at the R.S.P.C.A. office, Municipal Buildings, or at Clifton, St. Ann's Lane, Kirkstall Lane, Leeds. Yours, etc., H. H. LINLEY Hon. Treasurer. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Leeds Branch.

WAKEFIELD BEQUESTS. 100 EACH FOR CATS' SHELTER AND DOGS' HOME AT LEEDS. Leeds Mercury, 4th January 1935
Mrs. Caroline Peacock, of First Avenue, Newton Hill, Wakefield, left gross estate of the value of 5,687 1s. 6d.. with net personalty 5,615 10s. 5d. She left: 500 each to St. Dunstan's and Leeds General Infirmary. 350 to Dr. Barnardo's Homes. 250 each to the National Institute for the Blind and the Hull Royal Infirmary. 2OO to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 150 to Clayton Hospital, Wakefield. 100 each to St. Mary's Church, Pontefract: the Hull Seamen's and General Orphanage; the Cats' Shelter, Leeds; and the Dogs' Horne, Leeds. 50 to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor. 40 to the Missionary Mass Movement of the Church England Missionary Society, for the furtherance of the movement, in India. 30 to Pontefract Dispensary Linen League.

MANCHESTER

STRAY CATS. (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 17th June 1904) To the Editor of the "Manchester Courier." Sir, Will you allow me to announce through your columns the opening of a second shelter for lost and starving cats at 84, Booth-street, Upper Medlock-street, Hulme, under the management of the same committee as the Cheetham Shelter? The number of wretched animals received at the original shelter (11, St. Thomas's-place, Stanley-street, Cheetham Hill) has proved so overwhelming 3l5 during the last month alone that it has been found necessary to start another in a different part of the town. The funds now available will not be sufficient, to carry it on, and we very earnestly ask your readers to give liberally to the support of these merciful and much needed institutions. Yours, etc, On behalf of the committee, J.M. GREG, Hawthorn Hall, Wilmslow.

NEWCASTLE

[DOG AND CAT SHELTER, NEWCASTLE] Newcastle Journal, 3rd January 1911
The amount of animal suffering which at one time was sustained by lost, deserted, and homeless cats and dogs must have been much reduced in Newcastle of recent years. The Dog and Cat Shelter in Haymarket Lane is a place where holiday-makers may leave their pets in safe custody, or where aged or strayed animals may be taken for painless destruction in the lethal chamber. During last month alone no fewer than 124 dogs and 158 cats were thus dealt with.

NOTTINGHAM

NOTTINGHAM CAT SHELTER. FORMALLY OPENED BY THE SHERIFF. (Nottingham Evening Post, 5th April 1906) A very deserving charity, the Nottingham Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats, Lenton-street, Hyson Green, of which the president is the Duchess of Portland, became officially a public institution this afternoon, when it was formally opened by the Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor S. Cook. The shelter is the outcome of rescue work carried on for cats by the Misses Marriott at their own house in Lenton-street. A register was opened in 1899, and in the following year 70 cats were brought in. That number increased to 487 in 1905, the total to date taken being 1,100, and new premises adjoining had to be acquired for the work. These have been in use for about six months, and strays have been brought from all parts. Lost and stray cats, old cats, injured or diseased cats are painlessly killed by chloroform, the healthy lost animals being kept a few days in case their owners inquire for them, and in addition, in a distinct department, away from the strays, cats are received as "boarders" while their owners are away. An income of about 60 a year is required for the work. Mr. J. E. Catton (treasurer) presided at the opening ceremony, which was well attended, and the Sheriff commended the institution worthy of public support.

CATS AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES. DO THEY SPREAD ECZEMA IN NOTTINGHAM SCHOOLS? (Nottingham Evening Post, 6th April 1911)
The annual meeting of the society which opened the shelter for lost and starving cats in Nottingham was held at the Exchange Hall this afternoon, ample reasons were given why the dumb and defenceless of God's creatures should be included within the sphere of charity and mercy. Miss Haywood presided, and was supported' by Mr. C. H. Torr, Rev. G. R. Hartley, Dr. K. Black, and E. Morton. The report stated that the Nottingham Cats' Shelter was founded in November, 1904, with the object of lessening as far as possible the terrible amount of suffering endured by cats through neglect, cruelty and carelessness, and to receive and collect homeless, injured, and diseased cats. During the past year 1,634 cats had been received, many of them in the most pitiful condition. Humane education was sorely needed amongst all classes.

In moving the adoption of the report, Miss Haywood referred to the efforts which were being made in the city to ally education and kindness to animals, and observed that the degrading diagrams of dissected animals which appeared on the walls of some of the schools had been removed. It seemed sad that such institutions as the cats' shelter should be necessary, but they found it almost hopeless to educate some people, who were morally colour blind, and actually seemed to derive pleasure from inflicting cruelty upon a living victim. Miss Haywood spoke of the way stray cats could carry disease, and declared that several unpleasant attacks of contagious eczema had spread like wildfire in the city schools. It was attributed to rats, but she thought sick cats had much to answer for, and a society which sheltered such animals was doing valuable work. It was not merely a kind-hearted fad, but a very necessary institution. (Applause.)

Rev. G. R. Hartley, in seconding, regretted that many people who would scorn to injure a dog or horse, believed they were doing mankind service by wanton cruelty to cats. They seemed to have a traditional hatred and prejudice against cats, and for that reason saw no wrong in ill-treating them. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. E. Morton presented the statement accounts, which showed a balance in hand of 5 3s. 4d. The officers were re-elected, and the usual votes Of thanks were accorded.

LIFE FOR CHARITY. MISS L. MARRIOTT'S WORK FOR CATS (Nottingham Journal, 17th June 1927)
The annual meeting was held at the Cats' Shelter, Lenton-street, on 14 June. The Chairman, Mr. H. W. Allen, in opening the meeting, said he could not let the opportunity pass without expressing his deep appreciation and admiration of the wonderful self-denial and charity of the late Miss Lydia Marriott, who, with her two sisters, had begun and carried on the home for the rescue of lost and starving cats for many years. They had devoted their lives and small fortune to this work. Although in her 97th year, Miss Lydia Marriott carried on this great work of painlessly destroying lost, starving and ill-used cats, a great work acknowledged only by so very few. Mr. Morton, the hon. treasurer, was thanked for the unequalled services rendered to Miss Marriott and the society for many years. Subscriptions and donations will thankfully be received by the hon. treasurer or secretary at 20, Lenton-street, Hyson Green

2,000 LEFT FOR CATS. (Gloucester Citizen, 22nd July 1927) Miss Lydia Eliza Marriott, of Lenton-street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, who died on April 20th, at the age of 96 years, left 2,363. The residue of her property, about 2,000, she left in trust "to establish and carry on a shelter for lost and starving cats, provided such shelter shall not be used as hospital for cats and kittens, nor used for breeding and rearing, nor for the purpose of trading cats and kittens, and no cat or kitten shall disposed of for the purpose of vivisection, it being her express wish and intention that such shelter shall be for the starving and diseased cats and for their destruction by chloroform or some other painless method."

RESCUING THE CATS. (Nottingham Journal, 12th October 1929) Nottingham Shelter's Work for Past Year. At the annual meeting of the Nottingham Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats, held in the Elite Boardroom, yesterday it was disclosed that 1,121 cats had been admitted to the Shelter last year, also three small dogs, two guinea pigs and two canaries. Homes had been found for 21 cats. During the 23 years that the Shelter has been in existence, 35,747 animals have been cared for. Mr. J.T. Perry, who presided, said that the two great enemies of cats were dogs and thoughtless boys. He did not think that the same thought and care was bestowed on cats as other domestic animals. The speaker went on to explain that not only was the Shelter caring for lost and stray cats, endeavouring to find home for them and painlessly destroying them if that was impossible, but that the institution also undertook to board cats, while their owners were away, at an extremely moderate charge. The excellent work done by Mrs. Harper, who manages the shelter, was also referred to. The 1928 report was read by Miss M W. Watson Petty.

SHEFFIELD

THE CATS' SHELTER. (Belper News, 5th August 1904)
What shall we do with our cats? This a query which occasionally occupies the minds of families at the beginning of the holiday season; although more frequently, perhaps, at this time of the year the cat is disturbed by the problem, "What shall I do with myself?" and forthwith finds a solution in larceny. But these days of severe competition, and a crusade for taxing poor pussy," retribution comes so swiftly that even with the endowment of nine lives the risk of final extinction is great. It is to be feared that too many persons leave their cats to their own resources in this way while they themselves bask in the sun at the seaside. There is no necessity for doing this when Sheffield possesses such an excellent institution as that at 106, Gell-street, which is known as the "Shelter for Lost and Starving Cats." This is a place where pussy may be lodged, and special provision has now been provided there tor boarders during the holiday season. The family is usually a mixed one. There are cats who have wandered from the path of rectitude over many tiles at night, and have arrived at the shelter in a pitiable plight. But while no genuine case is refused relief, there is a proper system of classification by which the happy boarders are separated from stray visitors. Last year 2,300 cats and kittens were received, 43 were given away to good homes, 14 were claimed by owners, and 2,205 passed to the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns. A heavy death roll certainly; but it is explained that a large proportion were ill and "not wanted," and many were received for the express purpose of being despatched. The number brought in by owners as "not wanted" was over a thousand; under the head of "lost" there were even more, while those deserted or left in empty houses numbered 78. There is no doubt that the institution is doing a humane work, and as the shelter is largely supported by voluntary contributions the promoters are hoping for increased financial aid.

SHEFFIELD SHELTER FOR LOST AND STARVING CATS (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 11th May 1912), 106, Gell Street. The First Public Annual Meeting of the above institution will be held in the Cutlers' Hall, on Monday afternoon, May 13th, 3.30. Speaker, Mr. Arthur Coke, of London, Secretary of Our Dumb Friends' League. All those who are interested in the welfare animals are requested to attend.

HOMESICKNESS OF THE LOST CAT (Yorkshire Evening Post, 14th May 1912)
We must amend our opinion of the domestic cat, for puss, seems, is the most delicate and sensitive animals. Sheffield has a shelter for lost and starving cats. In their report, just issued, the committee say they fear they must discontinue to take cats as boarders. "The cat," the report declares, "is a highly nervous animal, and its health is seriously affected by home-sickness. The presence of other cats in the same position appears to have a depressing effect, and it is remarkable how soon a cat under these conditions may become ill. A journey perhaps by train or through crowded streets, the strange surroundings, coupled with the sudden loss of friends, may soon reduce a healthy, happy cat to a heap of misery, and spite of all one can do sickness may set in and the cat be dead in a little more than two days. The experience of similar institutions (the report continues) in other cities where cats are boarded is very much the same, so one can but conclude that home surroundings are best for puss. If only she can be fed and housed there, even by strangers, it is safer than boarding out such a sensitive animal."

SLOUGH

THE CATS' CLUB Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, 3rd July 1931
There are many unwanted cats in Slough, and a bazaar was held in a room at the Leopold Institute on Tuesday evening in aid of the Cats' Club Shelter Fund.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS Worcestershire Chronicle, 4th March 1899
The report of the Home for Lost and Starving Dogs and Cats stated during the past year 27 dogs and cats were received into the Home. Of the 18 dogs five were returned to their owners, for one a good home was found, and 12 were destroyed by a speedy and painless death. The number has again been comparatively small owing to the muzzling order, which was still in force during a part of the year, and possibly also because the existence and situation of the home is not generally known. The financial statement showed that the donations and subscriptions amounted to 37 9s. 6d, and the expenditure, including the officer's salary, to 65 6s. 3d., leaving a deficit of 5 16s. 3d. compared with a balance in hand of 22 0s. 7d. at the end of 1897. The financial statement of the home for dogs and cats showed a balance band of 3 10s., compared with 1 16s. 6d. the previous year.