Four Legs Good

Did your shampoo company blind a rabbit?

2009-11-02T23:00:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered if your shampoo has blinded a rabbit? Not many consumers are aware that multi-national cosmetic giants outsource animal torture to India because it’s less expensive here. Gandhi would’ve been horrifed, and so will anyone who learns what ‘testing’ involves.
Sample this eye-irritancy test for shampoo: “Laboratories use albino rabbits because they have large, sensitive eyes. Their eyelids are held open with clips while workers drip chemicals into their eyes. The rabbits are usually not given any pain killers - some rabbits break their backs as they struggle to escape the source of pain.
After placing the chemical in the rabbits’ eyes, the testers write down the damage it causes, which includes swelling, burning, blistering, and blindness”. Glossy commercials for shinier hair or softer lips wouldn’t dare tell their consumers about the grotesque cruelty that takes place behind the scenes.
What’s the alternative?
“Alternatives to animal testing include cell cultures (just a collection of tiny cells, not a whole animal). They’re cheaper and produce faster, more accurate results than animal tests, which means they’re safer for people too. Companies can also use ingredients or combinations of ingredients that have already been proven harmless, or use natural ingredients,” says PETA.

WEBSITE WITH LIST OF COMPANIES
Just check out www.caringconsumer.com for an exhaustive list of companies that do and don’t test (in downloadable pdf format). If you want to do more, shoot off an email to the heads of cosmetic companies that test on our furry friends, telling them you’ll boycott their products until they adopt alternative testing. Check the labels of all cosmetics and detergents you buy – some will have a ‘rabbit’ sign that says ‘not tested on animals’. Some cruelty-free companies are yet to adopt the ‘rabbit’ symbol, so check out http://www.caringconsumer.com/. You'd be amazed to find out how many leading brands are cruel to animals. Every category from toothpaste to lipstick also has a long list of cruelty-free brands. Buyers have the power to lower their revenues by refusing to buy their products until they adopt non-animal testing or use alternatives like cell cultures. Many compassionate companies like Oriflame, Biotique and Mac practice alternatives to animal testing and get a big thumbs up from the friends of the voiceless.

“In the 21st century, people can choose to be cruel or kind,” says PETA’s Dharmesh Solanki.”With so many humane and scientifically valid alternatives available, there is no excuse for using animals to test cosmetics products.”
Tell a friend and save animals from this dark fate.

Photo Courtesy: PETA

Hero in real life

2009-09-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

Leading lady Sadaa juggles film shooting, award shows, interviews and travel with the thing that she finds most fulfilling- playing a saviour in real life. Recently, the actress heard the sorrowful mews of an orphaned kitten in the neighbourhood and decided to investigate when the mewing continued late into the night. “My mum knew that something was wrong and I went to check. It was hiding under the car and ran from one hiding place to another but my dad managed to get it out. We kept it for a week until PETA helped us by adopting her”, she says of her latest rescue, as it’s not the first time she’s taken notice of an animal in distress. “Pigeons, wild birds, ducks…” she says, trying to recall the various species that her family has lent a helping hand to, while on their morning walks. Last year, she found an injured kitten whose spinal problems rendered her hind legs unusable. “We admitted her to SPCA where she passed away. The animal may or may not survive, but we have to try”. She’s motivated by empathy– “My mother has always said ‘put yourself in that position when you think of tying a string around an insect and dragging it’. Parents should guide their children not to be cruel. If someone hurts us, we can cry out in pain but animals can’t even speak. They have to go through it all by themselves”. Speaking about what happens after she nurses a fallen bird back to health, she says –“Freedom is important to a bird. I let them go”. The star is convinced that success and adulation come second to the rush that comes from saving a life. “I don’t think any feeling can match that”, she signs off cheerfully

Blue Cross Well Dog Show- You are invited

2009-08-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

Are you the proud owner of an all-Indian dog? If yes, get ready to show off your best friend of the four-legged kind at the Blue Cross Well Dog Show – celebrated every year as the dog show with a difference. The dogs have unique personalities, are a mixture of various breeds and have heartwarming rescue and adoption stories to tell. And the event is also a tribute to their companions- people who’ve chosen to take in an animal in need, regardless of their non-pedigree parentage. In fact, Indian breeds (also known as mongrels) are known for their robust immune systems that make them less susceptible to illnesses. Their fur coats are also perfectly suited to Indian climatic conditions and these country dogs live long and healthy lives.

The show highlights the lovable qualities of a dog that are observable even when they’re just being themselves. This means no ‘tricks’, performances, obstacle courses, jumping through hoops or unnatural hand-shakes. The coveted titles at this annual show include “Best Rescue” (for a dog with a fascinating rescue story), “Survivor Award” (for a pet who has triumphed over a serious accident or illness) and random fun titles like “The Dog with the Waggiest Tail”.

As Dr. S. Chinny Krishna, Chairman of Blue Cross puts it- “Our objective is to demonstrate our pride in our All-Indian dogs”. Certificates, gift hampers, freebies and medals will be doled out to the dogs and their companions. While there are special categories of prizes for dogs with the rarest spots or best-maintained fur coat, anyone who has participated in the Blue Cross Well Dog Show knows that their dog is already a winner.

DETAILS

Date: August 30
Time- 3 to 5 pm
Venue- CPR Centre, Eldams Road
Entrance Fee- None
Rules- Dogs must be on leash at the event. Non-pedigree dogs only
Contact- Mark, Blue Cross Volunteer- 9840463520. Sathya, Blue Cross Volunteer- 9789096602
Email bluecrossdogshow@gmail.com to register your dog.

Across the Universe

2009-06-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

He was born in Vietnam, raised in the United States and has lived in Romania until he relocated to India last August with his partner of seventeen years. “Anandaroopa is my spiritual name,” says the witty dog-owner who’s a storehouse of anecdotes from around the world.
“In Romania, there were a lot of street dogs, many of whom are culled cruelly. One day, my partner’s colleague showed up with this adorable, flea-infested little fuzz-ball who was found abandoned underneath a car. The dog has been with us for five years now.” Stating that the move to India with a dog was fairly simple, he says: “It was like paperwork for anything else — getting your driver’s licence or passport.”
They decided to name the dog Devi. “We hope people can see the divinity in a dog.”
“She still acts like a puppy,” he laughs, adding that Devi knows when she’s being spoken of. “My partner and I are lucky. We have household staff and they love dogs. Friends stay over when we aren’t around, to take care of Devi.” Displaying a deep understanding of her feelings, he says “She’s a glutton for attention, as she’s the only dog in the family. I’m an only child, so I understand!”
Visitors often ask Anandaroopa and his partner what breed she is. “She’s a mutt. A royal Romanian mutt,” he says proudly. The sensitive dog knows when someone is sick and hovers around the bed with a look of grave concern on her face. “Tibetans believe that dogs are monks who haven’t meditated enough in their past life. We must help them move on from this life. Dogs have feelings, needs and a soul. When my partner comes home after a long day at work, he talks to the dog first. Unconditional love — a dog is the only one who gives you that when you walk through that door,” he says.
Anandaroopa reveals that this month, their high-spirited canine has an important role to play. “June is Gay Pride Month and Devi will be a part of the Pride March. She supports civil rights because she wants civil rights for herself too — the right to just exist, as a dog.”

Photo: Shivaji Rao, The Hindu

Changing Lives for a Living

2009-05-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

Anuradha Sawhney loves her job. A former employee of a top leather buying house, Sawhney is now a formidable campaigner against leather products. “Like many people, I never gave a second thought to the fact that my shoes used to moo,” she says, denouncing the leather-manufacturing process as “abhorrent”.
In her role as PETA India’s chief functionary, she’s seen the international non-profit group through many milestones including PETA’s entry into the Limca Book of Records as the country’s largest animal rights organization.
She reveals that a career in an NGO is far from being a hobby as popularly perceived and that though they officially have five-day weeks, employees are always on call for emergencies routed to them in the absence of other help. “I even make stops on the highways and check my email through wi-fi,” says Sawhney, adding that she doesn’t think of it as a job. “You lose track of time, because it’s not work”.
Her colleagues include accountants, lawyers, MBAs and computer professionals whom she describes as “articulate and rational, and the extra thing everyone has is compassion”. Speaking about the difference between a regular job and one in the social sector, she says: “I know that no one in my office is hurting an animal. We don’t have chairs made of leather. Only vegan food is consumed here. And we all have one common goal.”
Our interview is interrupted by a cheerful bark. She puts me on hold to ask someone - “Why’s Rex jumping about like that? Is he ok?” Rex, who was rescued by PETA (from people who kept him habitually chained), is a regular at her office, alongside other companion animals who can come to work provided they get along with him.
Like her colleagues, Sawhney is always looking towards the next goal, the next cruelty issue to address. “I might get into politics to speak out for animals. And I’m planning a book on animal welfare in India,” she says, quoting from Robert Frost’s poem - “What’s that line again? Miles to go before I sleep”.
She walks the talk, and mentions that she hasn’t switched off her phone in nine years. Has it all been worthwhile? Her answer comes without hesitation. “I can’t believe I ever did anything else with my life”.

Want a job at PETA? Write to jobs@petaindia.org

Vandana Gopikumar

2009-05-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

When Vandana Gopikumar is around, happiness seems to multiply.

In the song ‘Praying for Time’, George Michael complained that charity is a coat we wear twice a year. For this extraordinary woman though, it’s her life’s mission to ease suffering as and when she’s confronted by it.

Vandana Gopikumar founded The Banyan, an NGO for the welfare of homeless women with mental health issues. Through her team’s relentless efforts over the past fifteen years, she has shattered misconceptions about mental illness and reshaped the lives of countless women. A lesser-known side to her personality is her passion for animal welfare. She’s undertaken many courageous adoptions, including crippled animals and some that were completely blind. If not for The Banyan’s staff, these dogs would’ve died miserable, unnoticed deaths.

She recounts her rescues matter-of-factly even though the details are harrowing. “Once in Valarasarawakkam, we heard a faint whine. We backtracked and found a dog tied in barbed wire. We took her with us and it’s been four years now. Waffles is the most alert, intelligent dog we’ve ever seen. You can’t enter our Mogappair centre without her clearance”.

Her work, be it with people or animals, is inter-related. “Waffles is a survivor- an inspiration to the women of The Banyan”, she says proudly, referring to the doe-eyed handicapped dog that showers her with boisterous affection. She mentions an elderly woman, Bindu - a former patient of The Banyan who has recently begun working there as well. “Four months ago, a vehicle in Thiruvanmyur knocked over this dog that began yelping in extreme pain. Though our vet said it was a very difficult case, Bindu healed the dog until she was back on all fours”. Vandana reveals that the dog’s affection for her healer was life-altering. “Bindu’s existence had gained meaning”, she says. While several happy endings come about when she lends a hand, she’s deeply distressed by the apathy of hit-and-run drivers. “How can someone hit a living thing and just keep going?”

Vandana is poetic when she speaks of her bond with animals. “There are no prerequisites for a relationship with an animal, no negotiations, no barriers, no artificiality. It’s an unconditional interaction that happens on an evolved plane. You could be throwing a ball with a dog and experience serenity: a sense of just being”. On being asked what led to her choosing the path of service to others, she responds- “There’s no ‘giving’ whatsoever. I do all this for my own happiness.”

A dog is a dog is a dog

2009-03-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

In Kiran Rao’s household, every pet has a story to tell.
With six happy-go-lucky dogs at home, nearly twenty more across her offices and factories and dozens of cats, ten of which live in her home, Kiran Rao pulls off a fascinating juggling act. The elegant, soft-spoken proprietor of Amethyst and Executive Director of KCP Sugars started adopting dogs after she returned to India from Europe ten years ago. “One of our dogs has a unique song, there’s another that has a hilarious howl, some go mad with joy when they greet me and some prefer to say hello with a slow wag of their tails” says Kiran who recalls the fierce loyalty of her childhood dogs Jack and Jill.
The dogs vie for her attention and express affection and jealousy in varying degrees. Though each of them has quirks and a personality, what they all have in common is that they’re mixed-breed dogs, most of whom are rescues. Stating that she’s always felt sorry to see dogs struggle on the streets, Kiran feels that the collective misery of animals can be reduced if the garbage problem is taken care of and if there’s a concerted effort to control the population by sterilising them. She regularly contributes to registered animal welfare charities and observes that it’s a tough job for some organisations that are forced to take on more than they can handle. “It would be nice if we could all extend ourselves a little more; if people adopted a couple of dogs each. They’re great for security and if you can handle one, it’s easy to handle two. They’re more balanced and happy if they have company.”
Explaining why she’d rather adopt cross-breeds than purchase pedigree dogs, she says “(Country dogs) are hardy and better adapted to our climate. Inbred pedigrees have a whole lot of birth defects that people tend to gloss over. And what are mongrels if not just a mixture of different breeds? I’m not concerned about the specific looks that some breeds have because every dog is beautiful in its own way.” In this context, she mentions Moti who was rescued from the airport as a scared puppy thirteen years ago. “He climbs on my lap and lays his head on my shoulder. A dog is a dog is a dog”, she signs off. Wise words from someone who’s loved them long enough to know.

Photo: S. Thanthoni, The Hindu

A voice for the bulls

2009-01-08T01:42:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Jaunary 4th, a diverse group of animal welfare activists, humanitarians and citizens came together and through a silent protest, lent their voice to the voiceless.

On January 3, a man was gored to death in Pudukottai and 42 others were injured during a deadly yearly event that kicks off, ironically enough, right before Pongal – a day meant to celebrate cows and bulls as sacred animals. There are many myths that surround jallikattu and Sunday’s protest laid out the facts for all of Chennai to see. Banners on display read: “Hundreds of men against one animal. Is this bravery?” and “Death in the name of sport”.

Organised by J. Pragadeeswaran (JP) and Prema Veeraraghavan, who have been campaigning persistently in the courts to ban the practice permanently, this is the first procession (in the history of Tamil Nadu) that was dedicated to animal rights.

Referring to this file photo, the organizer says: "At a single point of time, a huge crowd pulls the neck of the bull with a rope towards the front direction. The sudden pull with huge force cuts the throat of the bull.Its tail is twisted and pulled harshly towards the left direction. Both its hind legs are lifted and pulled towards back direction to immobilize the animal. A group of people jump on its hump. To get a grip on the running animal people use their sharp finger nails to hold the body of the bull resulting in bruises all over the animal’s body. Another group pulls its horn. People attack the animal with non stop blows. Can an animal be subjected to more cruelty than this?"

The procession began at Gandhi Statue in Marina Beach, chosen because the leader is famous for his views on animal rights. There was nothing typical about the group that attended the protest – it included lawyers, college students, members of ISKCON, members of several animal rights and humanitarian groups, a six-year-old girl and even a gregarious, black therapy dog, Dr. Moose who shuffled along quietly until the rally halted at Thiruvalluvar statue.

A senior citizen who participated in the protest said – “There are many people who oppose jallikattu, but in a democracy, we must take to the streets. Otherwise it is of no use to have an opinion”.

If you’d like to join forces with them, send an email to reachpraga@yahoo.com.

(Photo Courtesy: The Hindu, M.Srinath)

The Circus From Hell

2008-12-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

Fire. Whips. Cages. The stage is set for an act of orchestrated cruelty that will be conducted three times a day. The organisers break the ‘performing’ animals’ bones and after that, breaking their spirit is fairly easy.
When a circus uses animals and birds, including those that are wild, endangered or pregnant, they believe the public will turn a blind eye to the suffering that goes on behind the scenes. It’s any animal’s worst nightmare. They are transported carelessly like check-in baggage, in small cages with no freedom to move, in unhygienic living conditions. Wounds resulting from shackles and ropes are left untreated.
Vital body parts like eyes are lost due to neglect. They’re ruled by a crushing fear that’s a result of constant threats followed by brutal physical punishment. Majestic animals that would otherwise thrive in their natural habitats are then demeaned by being made to ride bicycles, jump through hoops and do whatever else they are told to or else.
Here are some harrowing examples of findings that investigations have revealed. (Source: petaindia.com/circuses)
Rajkamal Circus, Bangalore: According to People for Animals Bangalore, animals were crammed inside rusted cages, filthy with their own waste. One lion was missing an eye. Several animals had untreated wounds.
Great Royal Circus: A chimpanzee, 22-year-old Lakshmi, could not sit or stand and was discovered lying in a bloodstained bed. After she was rescued by Blue Cross Chennai and People for Animals Chennai, a veterinary exam showed that she was paralysed. She died soon after.
Kohinoor Circus: There were endangered animals, including a pregnant Royal Bengal tiger, in violation of a Supreme Court ruling.
Gemini Circus: They kept horses, camels and elephants from moving by tying their hind legs. Dogs were living in cramped wooden enclosures. Cages and food dishes were filthy.
It’s not only the four-legged kind that is affected by circuses. Trainers and audiences are also at risk. When wild animals are subjugated repeatedly, they will go rogue and fight back. Human injuries and deaths have been known to occur at circuses, yet the lesson hasn’t been learnt. While the problem is ugly, the solution is incredibly simple. Without patrons, a circus cannot exist.
By boycotting these shows that are nothing but horror in real life, we can put them out of business once and for all. It helps if you write to newspapers (letters@thehindu.co.in, timeschennai@timesgroup.com, editorchennai@deccanmail.com, indulge@epmltd.com) and encourage readers to follow suit. Taking a compassionate stand has never been easier.

Mary of the thirty cats

2008-08-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

We follow Mary, expecting her to stop at an apartment complex where we can sit and discuss her welfare work. Minutes pass. Flats and bungalows disappear. She leads us to a narrow, dingy lane where there’s a row of ramshackle houses.
We climb the stairs and are greeted by a home that’s bare in every sense of the word- no furniture, electronic appliances or even a dining table. The walls are plastered with pictures of Jesus Christ and there’s an old-style stove that she points to when she says “our house caught fire because of that thing”.
“I don’t want publicity. Just refer to me as Mary”, she says. She cares for over thirty animals, some of whom are severely handicapped or recovering from birth control surgery. “My children”, she calls affectionately as fifteen cats climb on her shoulder and lap.
One that was severely abused before she rescued it lost the use of both hind legs and lost control of its bladder. She breaks down as she holds up the cat for us to see. It wears a diaper and snuggles up to her as she tells it to pose for a photograph.
She tearfully recounts the day she was neck deep in water when the tsunami struck. “My cats warned us by coming to us and screaming, but we didn’t understand what they were trying to communicate. My husband and I were stranded, starving and terrified.
A black cat kept mewing at us from outside and watched over us until the water receded. He came to live with us after that. I’ve always believed that Karuppa was our saviour”.
Mary has no help and personally sweeps, cleans, cares for the cats, cooks and tries to earn a living by taking tuitions for children of low-income households. “Someday, this house will break down on my head”, she says, glancing at the dilapidated ceiling. “I don’t mind if a brick falls on me but not on my children”.
If you’d like to lend her a much-needed helping hand, route your donations (that are tax-exempt) through the Cattitude Trust- devika.khazvini@gmail.com. Please mention that the funds need to be sent to Mary of the Thirty Cats. Mary can be reached at 93807 90170.
Compiled by: Sriya Narayanan and S.S. Kumar

Anjali Sharma: Hero in real life

2008-08-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

When Anjali Sharma comes home from work, she’s mentally prepared for 15 minutes of cheerful chaos. “Like they haven’t seen me in 10 years,” she jokes, referring to her dogs who clamour for her attention and give her a hero’s welcome.
It’s just as well, for Anjali is a saviour of dozens of helpless puppies and dogs who would have suffered on the streets but for her generosity.
The lady doesn’t let anything get in the way of her rescues and single-handedly cares for all of them despite holding down a hectic, full-time job as a PR professional in a prominent firm.
“The idea was to vaccinate them and find good homes,” she says. “But it’s very difficult to find genuine people who will take in these animals and care for them.”
She reveals that someone recently abandoned an adorable female pup in a cardboard box outside her home. “And then there’s a cute, chocolate-coloured, fluffy, male Indian pup and a healthy Rajapalayam dog with one stiff hind leg.”
Finding families for these dogs is her goal and she hopes even people living in apartments will come forward to adopt them. “If you’re in an apartment, it’s a great idea to get a pet. The dog will make you healthy by insisting on regular walks,” says Sharma.
The search for homes continues and in the meanwhile, she refuses to look the other way when man’s best friend is in need.
“One became two. Two became three and three became 10,” she says. So what’s the headcount today? “Forty-five” comes her matter-of-fact answer.To get a taste of an affectionate dog’s companionship, please write to her at allmypets@sify.com for free adoption.
Our city’s four-legged friends who are famous for their loyalty need more heroes who will give them a better life than the one they have been living so far.

Murderer on JNU Campus: Yoronso

2008-07-16T01:07:00.000-07:00

The most sordid acts of cruelty we can ever think of have taken place in one of our country’s finest learning institutions.
Yoronso, a PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (aged 31), lured an 8-year-old, friendly female dog to his room with biscuits. The torture that followed after he locked the door is the kind of stuff nightmares are made of.
Using cricket bats and metal rods, Yoronso and two other students bludgeoned the dog for one-and-a-half hours until she was covered in blood. Her head was swollen to twice its size from the trauma inflicted on her. The students’ bloodlust was not satiated with this ghastly act, so they cut her into several pieces while she was still alive and screaming in agony. As the blood flowed from under the door, some students called the police.
An FIR was registered at Vasant Vihar Police Station, but despite this, and an on-the-spot signature campaign created by protesting students, Yoronso and his classmates have not been arrested. The dog, Kali, who was being fed and cared for by another student on campus, is said to have been an affectionate, harmless dog.
This grotesque act of violence against man’s best friend is not just a reflection of the way we treat animals – it is an indicator of the sinister and inhuman behaviour that our society is willing to condone. Mahatma Gandhi articulated in his famous quote that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. In this context, it is a sad day for academicians, students and citizens who witness these heinous events unfold in an institution of higher learning. Sign the petition against this horrible act: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/jnu-dog-butchered-alive
Write to Prof Yash Pal (Chancellor) and others at the below IDs, asking them to revoke Yoronso’s Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, refuse his PhD submission and expel him from JNU. Ask them to cooperate with the Delhi Police and arrest the three students who were responsible for this horrific act. JNU students who do not wish to be named reveal that these incidents take place repeatedly. Please speak up and tell the authorities to teach the offenders a lesson they won’t forget.
palyash@vsnl.com, bbb@mail.jnu.ac.in, rector_2@mail.jnu.ac.in, rkkale@mail.jnu.ac.in, chief_proctor@mail.jnu.ac.in, bohi0700@mail.jnu.ac.in, dean_sss@mail.jnu.ac.in, harjit@mail.jnu.ac.in, valerianrodrigues@yahoo.com, balveerarora@yahoo.com, dean_students@mail.jnu.ac.in, zoyahasan@hotmail.in

In search of Guardian Angels

2008-07-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

Manfrotto is a little black kitten whose story had a tragic beginning but a happy ending - one that would have never been possible but for the compassion of Guardian Angels like Devika Khazvini, Managing Trustee of The Cattitude Trust, her volunteer friends and a few dedicated vets.When Manfrotto was rescued, he had a rubber band around one leg that had cut off his blood circulation and rotted the flesh. Fortunately, this kitten survived the emergency surgery that was sponsored by a friend of Khazvini’s and now lives with his rescuers, delighting them constantly with his antics.Bhaskar, a dog whose hind legs were mangled in a horrific accident, survived the darkest moments of his life because of the Guardian Angel programme. The ray of light came in the form of a donor who paid for his extensive surgery. With metal rods to support his legs, Bhaskar is now on the road to recovery. Bhaskar (and other survivors like him) can be visited at The Ark Veterinary Clinic in Besant Nagar.While these success stories are heartening, the journey of an injured animal that’s rescued is always a long and painful one. NGOs find it exceedingly tough to fund the treatment of the animal in addition to their rescue efforts, since most welfare organizations depend solely on donations from individuals. Funds are needed for surgery, post operative care, medicines, food and shelter.Donors only need to pay for what is spent and the Trust will send a receipt for the contribution along with the tax exemption certificate and also inform you of exact costs of the treatment, providing bills for the same.To become a Guardian Angel, write to devika.khazvini@gmail.com or copycatt@hathway.com. Alternatively, you can call her at 98840 97862. “There’s no minimum contribution nor is there any rule about frequency of contributions”, says Khazvini. Clearly, for this life-saving charity, even the smallest help goes a long way. Visit www.cattitudetrust.org for more details