Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

THIS week we’re featuring Issy and Sally, but there is no photo of Issy as she was invisible.

Hiding quietly in a tunnel in her pen, if I had not been told she was there, I would have thought there was only the gorgeous Sally in the pen. It’s a reminder that, when we go into an area, cats are not always visible and, as a result, we have to be careful they don’t get shut in anywhere by mistake.

It’s easy to go to a shed or garage and, when we’re not looking, for a cat to slip in. We then close the door, leaving the cat imprisoned inside.

Different organisations have different ways to indicate to customers they are closing. Some dim the lights, Wisley Gardens ring a bell but such methods are not foolproof. It’s not so long ago a customer got shut in Waterstones at Trafalgar Square and had to phone out for help, but cats can’t phone for help and, if accidentally shut in, some don’t even make a noise. It can become a serious situation for them.

Cats Protection have initiated a “Look Before You Lock” campaign which encourages people to check garages and outbuildings before closing them to make sure no cats or other animals are inside. They have designed a door hanger (which can be downloaded from cats.org.uk) to place on a shed door reminding us to “Look Before You Lock”.

If we lose our cat, one of the first things we should do is to ask neighbours to check cupboards, sheds, garages and outbuildings. We also need to be aware they may have somehow got shut in an empty house.

If the cat is microchipped, we need to tell the microchip database their chip is registered to and make sure contact details are up-to-date. Other things to do, if your cat is lost, include registering the cat on lost and found registers (see catchat.org for examples) and putting up posters.

Now back to Sally and Issy. This lovely pair came into the care of the RSPCA after their owner passed away. When I met Sally, she was shy at first, but quickly became friendly. Issy, a tortoiseshell, hid throughout my visit.

According to the RSPCA she is nervous but once you start stroking her, shows signs of coming out of her shell.

If you can offer Sally and Issy a loving home together, they are waiting at the RSPCA Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.

Sally (pictured) is looking for a home with elusive friend Issy