TEAM

Lynda Ross	Veterinary Surgeon
Emma Perry	Veterinary Nurse
Trappers/Drivers	Emma, James, Joel, Sue, Joe & residents
Vera Davis	Organiser/Administrator

A Trustee, a trapper/driver, and a vet nurse set out from Stansted to Alicante to meet up with the vet who was travelling from East Midlands. It was an early start for all! As usual, the car and van were ready for collection, pharmaceuticals were packed (which were transported from England in the hold of the plane), and the team made their way to the surgery in Calpe.

Sunday saw an early start. Emma and James, who were staying in an apartment kindly made available by Sue and Joe, were able to trap a couple of cats from the North Beach who had ‘escaped’ the catcher during previous trips! There was once again a list of calls that had been received by Sue following an advert in the local paper. One of the first calls on the list was to Benicuco, where an ex-pat had a family of six, that she was feeding, living in her garden and was concerned for their welfare, as she was going to Andalucia for some weeks. Five were caught on the first day, although numerous return trips were required to check on the traps. The male took a little longer but the next day his desire for sardines caught up with him! All six ferals were safely transferred to an alternative feeder to ensure their continued well being. Meanwhile it was busy in the ‘surgery’ with ferals transported and collected by locals who fed colonies. There were some cats coming in from nearby areas as well.

Ferals were seen and treated from various areas including: Carrio Park, Buhlman, La Canuta, Cucarres, Pedramalar, La Vallessa, Buena Vista, El Tossel, La Merced, Maryvilla, Altamira, La Fustera, La Manzanera, together with those brought in by locals, and two from the Town Hall.

We were lucky to have vet Lynda join us yet again. This time she was accompanied by Emma, a vet nurse from the Royal Veterinary Animal Hospital in Hertfordshire, and they worked together closely as a team.

This was the first trip where the team were not required to work late into the evenings and the large number of healthy and contented cats seen with tipped ears is testament that the programme is working. As always females were kept in overnight after their operation, checked the following morning ready to be returned to site. The males were released earlier.

Towards the end of the week the team received a visit from a reporter for “Around Town News”. He was told of the positives of Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) schemes, the “Gold Service M0T “the cats receive, and the obvious effect the programme is having on the stray cat population in Calpe. It was made clear no domestic cats are treated, as the scheme is purely for the benefit of ferals. A very good article detailing the work of the Trust was published in a recent edition of the paper.

A total of 130 ferals were seen and treated during the week’s work.

75 females - spayed

49 males - neutered

They all received multi-vitamins, long term painkiller, penicillin, worm injections, and finally Frontline flea killer. The left ear was tipped for future recognition.

Sadly, two ferals were euthanised, one as a result of a tumour in the mouth that could not be treated – as it had grown so large the cat was unable to eat. The second was a female who was unwell after her operation, she was found to have an abnormal anatomy and had been unwell prior to her operation but those bringing her in had failed to notify the vet of this fact.

One cat, from Ecomar, that had already been neutered was trapped to have an injury to his face examined and treated and after an antibiotic injection was returned.

There were three cats brought in for spay/neuter, that had actually already been sterilised but the ear tips were difficult to identify, especially where they were in a ‘v’ shape. This again emphasised the vet’s point that it is important the mark on the ear shows up, as it is dangerous to work on an already sterilised cat.

One of the cats brought in for treatment had been sedated, along with two of her companions, by their ‘owner’. As a result of her bad reaction to the sedative, she was given intravenous fluids, removed from the surgery and received supervision until she had recovered , but as a result of her bad reaction it was not possible to spay her.

As all the flights were on Saturday morning the ‘surgery’ was cleaned, a replacement pharmaceutical list prepared and the vehicles returned back to the airport, ready for the flight back.

Our sincere thanks go to the following:

Elinor Gonzales for providing a room in her villa for a ‘surgery’ once more.

Lynda, our vet for her continued dedication and very hard work, together with Emma

vet nurse, who joined the team on this trip, for her excellent back-up.

Emma and James for trapping, driving and taking the vet and nurse lunches and extra pharmaceuticals.

Sue again of course, who is now a Trustee, for accommodation, some meals for Lynda and Emma and for helping in the ‘surgery’, together with the help she provides throughout the year with any problems. We must also say thank you to Joe, Sue’s husband, for his help with trapping and transporting cats.

Not forgetting the locals for fetching, carrying and providing some donations.

The team agreed this was once again a worthwhile week’s work with everyone pulling together to benefit more ferals.

A Special thank you must go to the following Societies for Grants without which many feral and abandoned cats would receive little or no help.

Petplan Charitable Trust

Alice Noakes Charitable Trust

Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust

St. Andrew Animal Fund

Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

Louise Clark for her monthly donation.

Pauline Firks (Treasurer for the Trust)

These Grants are most welcome and very necessary for us to be able to continue our spay/neuter programme in Calpe.

Following on are photos taken during the week’s work.

We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

and are affiliated with RSPCA International.

We receive no funding.

Registered in U.K. Charity No 1074492

Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)

Vera Davis (Mrs)

Chairperson

Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust December 2007

Following photos of work at Calpe Nov 2007

Lynda

Emma

Treated cats awaiting release

A ‘crusher’ cage is used for transferring a cat from a trap

REPORT ON 4^TH VISIT TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA

4-11th November 2006

TEAM|

Lynda Ross	Veterinary Surgeon
Mel Castello	Veterinary Nurse
Trappers	Pauline, Terry, Joel and residents
Pauline	Treasurer
Vera Davis	Organiser-administrator

Two Trustees set out from Stansted to Alicante to meet up with the vet and nurse travelling from East Midlands. As usual, the car and people’s carrier were ready for collection, pharmaceuticals were packed, and they made their way to the surgery in Calpe. On arrival the ‘surgery’ was made ready for operations. There are usually cats waiting, but it had been raining heavily, and cats had gone to ground.

Sunday saw an early start for the team. Pauline and Terry who were staying in Maryvilla, began trapping in the area, and found there were many calls for their help. They had a list of residents who had rung Sue before our arrival from an ad in the papers. Sue resides in Calpe, and they worked through the list.

Meanwhile it was busy in the ‘surgery’ with ferals transported and collected by locals who fed colonies. There were some cats coming in from nearby areas as well.

We were lucky to have vet Lynda join as yet again. This time she was accompanied by an associate vet nurse Mel, and they worked together as a close team.

They continued occasionally working till late evening to catch up with the volume of work. Females were kept in overnight after their operation, checked the following morning, and then were collected ready to be returned to site. Males were released earlier.

During Wednesday the team were told that Calpe television, arranged by the Town Hall, would be arriving the following day to film work in the surgery. I understand the vet and nurse were filmed operating, also ferals recovering after operations in recovery boxes etc. Luckily Joel was on hand to interpret, as he can speak Spanish. Two Animal Wardens from Calpe were also there. This seemed to go well, and I look forward to receiving a copy of the film, which the vet would like to see.

A return visit was made to the harbour and beach areas, where some 30 ferals were spayed/neutered last year behind the wall close to the beach. The ground had been cleared of vegetation and prepared for builders.

What happened to them? We would like to know. This was expensive and pointless work. Many were domestic and had just been left there, and were in good health.

A total of 197 ferals were seen and treated during the week’s work.

115 females - spayed

82 males - neutered

They all received multi-vitamins, long term painkiller, penicillin, worm injections, and finally Frontline flea killer. The left ear was tipped for future recognition.

Sadly, five ferals were euthanised due to aids, cancer, and tumours, including a kitten very sick with F.I.V.

I understand that some cats were brought in for spay/neuter, but fur had grown over the tipped ear, and they appeared not to have been sterilised. The vet wants to emphasise that it is important the mark on the ear shows up, as it is dangerous to work on an already sterilised cat.

Lynda and Mel stayed a day later than the team for more work, but no cats were brought in, and the trappers had returned to the UK.

The ‘surgery’ was cleaned, a pharmaceutical list prepared, the car returned back to the airport, ready for their flight back.

Unfortunately, I was unable to go to Calpe this time due to circumstances beyond my control, but I hope to be there in 2007.

We must thank Elinor Gonzales for providing a room in her villa for a ‘surgery’ once more.

Lynda, our vet for her continued dedication and very hard work, together with Mel who joined the team on this trip, for her excellent back-up.

Terry our brilliant trapper, accompanied by Pauline, who both worked in difficult conditions.

Sue of course who helps us throughout the year with any problems, for accommodation and some meals for Lynda and Mel, and for helping in the ‘surgery’.

Joel who is such a good help and all rounder, who appears calm under pressure!

Not forgetting the locals for fetching and carrying, and providing some donations.

The team agreed this was a worthwhile week’s work with everyone pulling together under difficult conditions.

A Special thank you must go to the following societies for Grants without which many feral and abandoned cats would receive little or no help:

Alice Noakes Charitable Trust

Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust

St. Andrew Animal Fund

Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

Mrs.J.Bulmer

We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and are Affiliated with RSPCA International.

We receive no funding

Registered in U.K. Charity No 107449

Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)

Vera Davis (Mrs)

Chairperson

Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust

November 2006

Following photos of work at Calpi Nov 2006

Lynda & Mel filmed by local TV camera crew

Lynda

Lynda, Mel, Terry, Pauline & local animal wardens

Joel releasing white spayed feral

Ferals fed on the rocks by a Swiss lady

Pauline releasing spayed/neutered feral

REPORT ON THIRD TRIP TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA, SPAIN

12-19 November 2005

TEAM:

Lynda Ross	Veterinary Surgeon
Victoria Tonks	Veterinary Nurse
Trappers	Terry, Emma, Joel and locals
Pauline Firks	Treasurer, general back-up
Vera Davis	Organiser - administrator

All flights at this time were either very early or very late. 6.15 a.m. saw our vet leaving East Midlands airport for Alicante. Our vet nurse had a late flight from Liverpool, and four of us left from Stansted, on a delayed flight.

As usual, we picked up a car and van from Alicante airport, loaded pharmaceuticals and equipment, and made our way with Lynda, our vet, to the loaned ‘surgery’. Lynda, who had worked with us in February, began unloading contents of boxes and equipment etc., with Joel, while we made our way to a local supermarket, only to find they had closed due to our own delayed flight. The nurse was picked up late evening.

Early Sunday morning saw our vet and nurse, working on the ferals, all from Calpe, who were arriving in a steady flow. All automatic traps had been lent out. It appeared that locals had made their own traps in lots of cases.

A total of 170 ferals and abandoned cats were spayed/neutered, and they all received multi-vitamins, long term pain killer, penicillin, worm injections etc., finishing with Frontline flea spray. The left ear was tipped for future recognition. The females were kept overnight, checked the following morning, and then released back to site. Males were released sooner.

Spayed and treated: 101 females

Neutered and treated: 67 males

“ “ 2 male dogs

There was no euthanasia, and no female was found to be pregnant, so it appears November is the best time to carry out this work.

T.N.R. (trap, neuter, return) is the best internationally known method of reducing the feral cat and dog population. The result is healthier cats and dogs, who will eventually, if left alone, die out naturally, leaving over populated areas free of ferals.

We returned to the beach and harbour areas visited previously. All cats seen in February with tipped ears looked extremely well and healthy. We were surprised to find only three small kittens, all in a bad way. We managed to trap them, and took them to our vet. She treated their swollen closed eyes (through cat flue), and gave them an injection. We took them back to the villa to continue medication and to keep them warm. On our departure they were handed over to a German family who work with ferals, to continue medication, and then hopefully they will be homed .

I would mention that cats are being dumped on the beach area we visit, some even with a collar. Obviously they are left there because there are some feeders.

In some cases the owners have returned to their own country and left them behind, which is inexcusable.

All in all it was a good visit, but as we were deprived of work time through flights, no work was carried out on the final Saturday. Even so, in the three separate week’s work, with one vet and nurse, a total of 545 ferals and abandoned cats from Calpe, have been spayed/neutered, and given all necessary injections for a clean bill of health.

We must thank Lynda, our vet, for her dedication and hard work, and for accompanying us on a second trip, and our vet nurse Vicky, for putting in excellent work.

We must thank of course Eleanor Gonzales for our ‘surgery’ again, and for our accommodation.

Terry for his usual excellent trapping.

Sue, for being such a help providing an apartment for the vet and nurse overlooking the harbour, and for her valuable assistance both in and out of the surgery.

Emma for standing in at short notice, and for her all round help including driving,

trapping etc.

Joel for his knowledge of the areas visited and for trapping, labelling and assisting in the surgery.

The locals for fetching and carrying, and providing some donations.

A Special thank you goes to:

The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust

PETplan Charitable Trust

The Alice Noakes Charitable Trust

not forgetting Pauline, our own Treasurer.

These grants are very appreciated for our on-going spay/neuter programme in Calpe, without which we would find it hard to continue this vital work.

We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)

and are Affiliated with RSPCA International.

We receive no funding.

Registered in U.K. Charity No: 1074492

Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)

Vera Davis

Chairperson

Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust

November 2005

____________________________________________________________________________________

REPORT ON SECOND TRIP TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA, SPAIN.

5-12 February 2005

TEAM:

Lynda Ross	Veterinary Surgeon
Tanzi Ridge	Veterinary Nurse
Trappers	Terry, Joel, Ron, locals
Pauline Firks	Treasurer, general back-up
Organiser	Vera Davis

An early start on the 5^th February saw us at Alicante airport collecting the rented car and people’s carrier, loading with pharmaceuticals and equipment, whilst waiting the arrival of our vet and nurse from Bristol and East Midlands airports respectively.

We made our way to the villa, a room of which was to be used as a ‘surgery’, which was supplied to us by Sociedad Protectora de Animales, (who deal mainly with dogs), and had been used by us before. As it was early afternoon the vet started work straight away when all had been prepared ready for operations. Cats were already delivered as traps had been lent out before our arrival.

We were mentioned on air, and from then on a steady flow of ferals and abandoned cats were arriving during the week. Our vet and nurse coped admirably under all the pressure. Each cat was spayed or neutered, given multi vitamins, penicillin, wormer, flea spray, and clean bill of health. The left ear was tipped to recognise in the future.

A total of 196 ferals were seen and treated: Female 109

Male: 87

All ferals seen were from Calpe, where there are a lot on the beach and harbour areas, which will warrant a visit in itself. Some locals were returning again and again with ferals from colonies, all anxious to cut out unwanted litters.

During our visit a meeting was arranged with an official from Calpe Town Hall, together with the Calpe Animal Warden, Eleanor Gonzales, (chairperson and translator) from Sociedad Protectora de Animales, and ourselves, when it was discussed that the Council would be prepared to provide a shelter and feeding places for ferals away from the tourist area, whilst we would continue providing vets and nurses including pharmaceuticals for future visits to spay/neuter. It would appear that Eleanor Gonzales and our Trust would be included in an official document for signature. The Council would then like to use the “blueprint” of the work to include the next town etc., etc. This would be a great step forward for all ferals and abandoned cats in Calpe, and hopefully in time along the coastline.

We would mention domestic cats are abandoned at the harbour, one of which was a ‘special’ breed. He was so friendly, we took him back with us to stay in the villa. He was neutered, and has now been re-homed in Germany. We do like a happy ending!

Sadly one of the harbour cats, a chocolate point abandoned cat had a tumour at the back of the throat and was euthanase

We must thank Eleanor Gonzales for providing a room at her villa for a ‘surgery’, and also for our accommodation.

Lynda and Tanzi, our vet and nurse for their caring and valuable work.

Sue for the vet and nurse accommodation, who also helped in the surgery as she is a nurse and had some time to spare.

Joel, for his help in trapping, knowing the trouble areas, and his knowledge of languages.

We thank the locals for ‘fetching and carrying’ their ferals to us for spaying or neutering, giving us more time to concentrate on the harbour and beach areas,

and everyone who contributed to a worthwhile week’s work.

A return visit to Calpe November 2005 will be made if sufficient funds are available.

A Special thank you must be given to:

The Jean Sainsbury Charitable Welfare Trust

The Alice Noakes Charitable Trust

The St. Andrew Animal Fund

Marchig Animal Welfare Trust

for their continuing help with grants, without which we could never have made the step forward in our work to help so many ferals left stranded to fend alone with sickness and worse.

We must mention also our treasurer, Pauline, for her commitment to our cause.

We are a Member Society of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and Associated with the RSPCA.

We receive no funding.

Registered in U.K. Charity No: 1074492

Spanish Registration: 05 D (a)

Vera Davis

Chairperson

Costa Blanca Feral Cat Trust

February 2005

____________________________________________________________________________________

REPORT ON FIRST TRIP TO CALPE, COSTA BLANCA, SPAIN

8 – 15 November 2003

THE TEAM:

Angela Spatz	Veterinary Surgeon
Josaphine Quantrill	Veterinary Nurse
Trappers	Terry Firks
	Ronald Davis
	Local Groups
Organiser	Vera Davis

We moved up the coast on this visit to Calpe having had our equipment transferred from Campello in readiness back in the summer, and with agreement from the Mayor of Calpe to work there. A party of 6 left Stansted as usual on a morning flight to Alicante, where a people’s carrier and small car had been ordered in advance. We travelled through to Calpe where we were met by a student vet nurse after the toll. We followed Joel some way on to where the vet and nurse were to operate, and nearby to where our party of four were to stay in a villa. The vet and nurse were accommodated in a bungalow about twenty minutes away.

On arrival at the place of work the vet and nurse prepared the ‘surgery’ placing the pharmaceuticals transported by us ready for their work. They were dismayed that after such a long journey from early morning, a total of l3 ferals were already waiting to be dealt with. However they agreed to start work immediately so that the cats were operated on before a number of cats which were expected the following morning arrived.

There seemed to have been a lot of publicity prior to our visit, and in Calpe there were large colonies of ferals and abandoned cats, which were known to the feeders, who were keen to get them neutered/spayed before fresh arrivals of kittens, and the cost of food spiralled.

Officials of Calpe Council arrived unexpectedly to ask for help in town where two new hotels are to be built, with land between inhabited with ferals. We checked and transported some back to the vet. All ferals were checked with tie-on labels of their areas and when ready were taken back to site.

We were told of beach cats, which were being fed by a few residents, and most of these were caught and seen by the vet and nurse. Many of these were abandoned and friendly cats, and now they will not produce, some will be homed.

Also we visited The Rock – Casal de Ifach, where ferals were collected for treatment and given a clean bill of health. The harbour area was visited, and ferals were neutered from here. We understand a local group are concentrating on this area.

A Spanish vet arrived to watch the vet and nurse work, and local press took pictures of the work progressing. Also we understand, a mention of us was made on the air. There was a ‘conveyor belt’ of cats being dealt with, some arriving, others being taken back to site. It was very busy!

We worked closely with Sociedad Protectora de Animales Calpe – Benisa who help both dogs and cats in the area. The principal was a great help to us, arranging accommodation and the vet’s work area. This was a large room adjoining the pool, and a further room for the cats to recover in.

During the week the vet and nurse saw and treated 175 ferals and abandoned cats.

102 female

73 male

Apart from either neuter/spay, cats were given multivitamins, worming, penicillin, painkiller injections, and finally flea spray. Their left ear was tipped.

Many cats had viral ulcers on their eyes, and were treated with Fucithalmic.

Some had rotten teeth which were removed. Ear mites were prevalent in many cases.

A couple of kittens were seen but were too young to spay.

Where an eye had been lost, the socket was stitched.

An almost blind female with ulcerated tongue and rotten teeth was euthenased on humane grounds.

There is still much work to do in Calpe, and adjoining Altea, which has many ferals living on the rocks, we understand being fed, but many need spaying and neutering. We have been asked if we can make a return visit in January 2004 before their ‘season’ starts, but this will depend on our funds. Sadly, the RSPCA International and WSPA World Society for the Protection of Animals have changed their policy, and no grants are being given to member-societies for neutering, other than those who operate in the country where they reside.

We will try to continue with this hands-on vital work, as results are now being seen by the residents of our previous visits, resulting in healthier cats, less kittens, more manageable colonies.

We must thank:

Ellinor for her valuable help with accommodation and assistance.

Gloria for accommodation for our vet and nurse

Joel for his knowledge of languages to deal with on-lookers, and knowing where the colonies were situated.

All the ‘carriers and fetchers’ who saved us a lot of valuable time including Terry and Ron.

Pauline’s supermarket trips to supply lunches for us all, with little extras, and her unending task of fund-raising.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU goes to our vet Angela, and Jo, our vet nurse, both from the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital, London, who gave of their best with their dedication and hard work, to make this one of the most successful and pleasant visits to date.

SPECIAL THANKS MUST GO TO:

ALICE NOAKES MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST

ST. ANDREW ANIMAL FUND

SPANA

without whose financial help, we would possibly not have been able to make this trip.

November 2003

Vera Davis

Chairperson

____________________________________________________________________________

COSTA BLANCA FERAL CAT TRUST

REPORT ON 6th VISIT TO CAMPELLO 8th – 15th JANUARY 2003

THE TEAM:

Louise Rayment	VETERINARY SURGEON
Lesley Young	VETERINARY NURSE
Trappers	LOCAL GROUP
Organiser	VERA DAVIS

Due to funds, and following on so soon on the heels of our autumn trip, no trustee accompanied the vet and nurse, so this report cannot be as explicit as usual.

THE WORK

The vet and nurse left the airport late afternoon Wednesday 8 January.

After locating their luggage at Alicante airport, they were dismayed to find the pharmaceuticals were nowhere to be found. However, after a call to us to let us know, and being met by the local group, they picked up a car at the airport (previously arranged), and made their way to La Font to a holiday apartment, where it was arranged they could work for the week using the lounge as a ‘surgery’.

Early the next morning a trustee from the Society went to the airport to sort out the pharmaceuticals, only to find they had not been put on the plane. They were however sent on the next flight to Alicante, arriving early evening that day. (Oh for a clinic!)

The vet meanwhile had been to a veterinary hospital and borrowed some necessary instruments and a small supply of pharmaceuticals, as ferals were being brought in for sterilisation. However, our goods were picked up from Alicante airport and work was started in earnest. I must add that this is the first time this has happened, and indeed I hope the last!

Ferals were seen from:

Jijona

Alkabir

Ameridor

(Market) Campello

San Juan

Coveta fuma

Vall de Sol

Bon Alba

Sella

La Colina

Busot

(Gypsy) Campello

Castalla

Benidorm

Campello

The following Tuesday the vet and nurse went to the Eurotennis Hotel in Villajoiosa to continue sterilising the ferals remaining untreated from the November trip. They were accommodated for the night, and continued with the work the next day. We understand all the hotel’s ferals, excepting two (which were impossible to catch)., were sterilised, given multivitamins, worming, penicillin, painkiller injections, and finally Frontline flea spray. The left ear was also tipped for future identification. They all received a clean bill of health The local group will continue to try and trap and sterilise these two remaining ferals.

Hopefully now they could become more of an asset than a liability. We can only hope.

A total of 106 feral and abandoned cats were seen and treated.

There were no pregnancies.

Sadly, we understand, two ferals were put to sleep by a local vet, as they were very sick, and we believe they had aids which had to be confirmed.

A total of 227 ferals were sterilised and treated as above resulting from the November and January trips.

Our thanks go to our vet, Louise, and veterinary nurse, Lesley, for their great job, and coping so well in difficult circumstances.

We must give special thanks to the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust for their grant towards this trip, which helped us to continue with this vital work.

Our thanks as well to everyone who helped in any way for us to alleviate the distress of so many unfortunate ferals, who have simply been left behind.

V.Davis

Chairperson

January 2003

REPORT ON 5th VISIT TO CAMPELLO 10th – 17th NOVEMBER 2002

TEAM:

Hilary Fowler	VETERINARY SURGEON
Lorna Blackburn	VETERINARY NURSE
Pauline Firks	TRAPPER/ASSISTANT
Terry Firks	TRAPPER/DRIVER
Ron Davis	TRAPPER/DRIVER
Vera Davis	OGANISER

A party of six took an early morning flight from Stansted to Alicante, and collected a car and van previously booked from the airport. We followed one of the local group to our destination at La Font, where four of the party had a holiday flat. The vet and nurse traveled on to a two bedroom apartment, where they were able later to set up a surgery in the lounge.

We met up as soon as possible early afternoon, following the local group to the Eurotennis Hotel, at Villajoyosa. This was a large modern hotel on the coast. When we arrived we saw a number of cats, sitting on car bonnets, under cars, and in the surrounding areas The hotel wanted these cats sterilised, and the vet and nurse had the sauna in the basement for use as a “surgery” (the sauna turned off). They set this up with all equipment, and immediately trappers set to work fetching and carrying cats in automatic traps. We had no long journeys of transportation which was a welcome change! The vet and n