News & Events

News and Events Page

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We would love to get this little family of mum, dad, daughter and son neutered.

They all live in a garden of a home which is currently occupied by some very nice people but sadly they leave at the end of this month. We’d love to get them all neutered before then, before they have to go off in search of food and shelter, but our funds are extremely low. If you can help with a donation, big or small please go to our donate buttons on our Facebook page or website.

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Finally, after weeks of preparations on wednesday 3 cats were on their way to the UK,

Jerry, Elsa and Angelo were checked in at Fuerteventura airport unsure of what was going on, but we all knew it was the start of their new happy lives.
It’s always a very stressful day for both Jenny and I, Jenny getting their flight crates ready ( big thanks to Judy helping prepare the crates, sorting their bedding, food, water and making sure all the documentation is ready to go. Then the sad part of s...aying goodbye to cats she has lovingly cared for and have become part of her busy life, then the waiting for the call from me to say they have landed safely.
For me it’s in reverse, waiting to hear they are all checked in and cleared, then waiting till the flight lands at Gatwick followed by the wait for the paperwork to be checked and for them to clear customs so I can collect them and get them on their way to a great new home.
Jerry, Elsa and Angelo arrived at Gatwick late yesterday afternoon and they were fine, Jerry was so interested in what was going on, very vocal, I’m sure he was telling us what a great flight it was, (but lacking inflight entertainment), Elsa was just surveying the area, and Angelo very unsure of what had just happened (he looks more upset because of my bad photo).
We would like to thank everyone that has contributed to make this happen, especially Hilda who made a very large donation towards the cost, and to Ryan & Gill for donating generously again so we could fly all three of the lucky ones in, without all of you we could not have done this.
Thanks everyone, Alun

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Some of our friends will recognise these two twinkle cats, Puzzles and Silver.

Sadly silver “the legend” had to be put to sleep recently because the tumour on his head progressed into a deep hole and was starting to spread internally through his nose. He was such a funny boy and used to try and attack anyone entering the gate, but he certainly had mellowed over the last couple of years.

Puzzels who had taken over from Honey in the role of mummy cat to our more nervous rescued cats rapidly went down hill after having a stroke. When we took Puzzels on many years ago we knew she had neurological problems, but she was always happy and gentle natured when anyone needed reassurance. This was lovely to see considering when she came to us with 4 baby kittens she was very wild, she grew into a very sweet lady.

We lost them both in the same week, this is always something we find very difficult, despite the fact we have so many cats, they all leave mark on your heart.

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We picked up this adorable female from Villaverde recently to spay her, she will be ready to go back soon but she is soooooo friendly and gentle. She has no microchip but purrs and clearly loves a cuddle.

Has anyone lost this cat? Or can anyone open their heart and home and adopt her.

She lives in the garden of a holiday villa and made friends with the guests ( I think they would’ve take her home if they could). She’s fit and healthy and we think would be very grateful for a loving home.

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Massive thanks to Alan one of our fantastic cat cafe volunteers for giving this Twinkle cafe a fresh coat of paint inside and out.

It looks great (but we think it’s about time we replaced the old chair inside though)

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Bibo, looking for a fur-ever home. He is about 2.5 years old, negative for FeLV/FIV, fully vaccinated and neutered.

He’s been living on the streets but we think he is used to have a home,

when we found him he was wearing an old collar. Have you lost him?

A kind lady has taken him in but her elderly cat is not happy with another cat in the house. Bibo is good with dogs too.

Please get in touch if you would like more information.

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We’re so happy for this little boy, we were kindly contacted by holidaymakers at one of the hotels where we have a Twinkle Cat cafe, the guests were letting us know this new arrivals needed neutering and flea & worm treatment. After we caught him, which was really easy as he’s so friendly and was busy playing with the other cats tails in the hotel garden, we had him booked into the vet to get him sorted and a friend of Twinkle found him a wonderful new home, so now he has a new big Bruv and a lovely new home. Happy days

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Meet Odin, he is looking for a forever home. He is a really great personality, very good with dogs,cats and pigs, yes pet pigs, He was diagnosed as positive for leukaemia but has not developed the disease and is completely healthy and nice and chubby. He doesn’t like human food so will be no trouble trying to eat off your plate, is very cuddly and a great character, he is about two years old now.

The only reason he hasn’t found a permanent home yet is because he is positive,and everyone we know already has cats. We are not expecting him to need veterinary treatment as he is one of the healthiest looking fellows you will meet he just needs a loving home-forever.

He is sterilised and microchipped . He’s had regular visits at the vets and they are astounded at how healthy he is.

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We are so pleased to be able to tell you that Sally has been adopted, she has been waiting about 5 months and we are sure she will get all the love and to enjoy the great life all of the cats should expect.

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We were asked to help this poor chap in a village not far from us. Thanks to the help of a very kind lady, after several days and several attempts she finally managed to gain his trust enough to get a basket over him, he would not go near a trap. He was very weak but would not let us touch him, after he was caught and taken immediately to the vets he had to be sedated to be examined properly, it was then the vet realised his problem. He had a very large tumour in his mouth and throat. The tumour was so large it would’ve made eating and breathing very difficult. Apart from being told he looked sick, we had been told he was coughing a lot in the garden where we got him from. It’s just a shame we could not help him sooner. The only kind thing we could do was to put him to sleep while he was still sedated.

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We had MANY messages about this gorgeous old fella that had lived for many years at the Barcelo Hotel in Caleta. He’d been "missing" for many weeks, we searched for him many, many times during those weeks but couldn’t find him, knowing he wouldn’t up and leave the safe hotel gardens he’d know all his life we and the hotel staff were very worried as he was getting older and his disappearance was concerning us all.

This is to let everyone that contacted us know we’ve found out he was taken by a tourist (so we’re told) to KizNKaz sanctury but sadly passed away about 6 weeks later. RIP

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You may remember 2 of the little kittens we found in a large bin a little while back.

Thanks to Julie and Andy they will never want for anything again and have a brilliant home along with Milly another kitty cat they adopted from us and their English step bruvs.

Thanks for coming to meet them after we took them in and opening up your heart and home for Twinkle and our rescued kitts yet again Julie and Andy, This makes all we do worthwhile

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November the 3rd Ryan Christie is competing in the 1/2 marathon held in the dunes of Corralejo, this is no mean feat for someone coming from Scotland where the temperature is different, but Ryan is so commited to help Twinkle raise money to help the cats of Fuerteventura he will push himself to new levels.

Please consider sponsoring Ryan, even for just a few pounds, it reall will make his efforts all the more worthwhile and of course help so many of thecats on the island.

www.virginmoneygiving.com/RyanChristie

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Marmite and his mum Miella would love a good home. You may remember Miella had given birth to Marmite literally just hours prior to us removing them from the old remains of a house back in April.

Miella had just given birth to Marmite and had him tucked away behind a breeze block when we found them. Marmite has grown up in our foster cage and is now just over three months old.

Please contact us if you can help or would like more information

They must go and stay together.

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A good day for Wilf today he went to his pur-fect new home. Thank you so much to his new mummy. I’m very confident he will now live happily ever after

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UPDATE

Bambie walking and doing much better. We arranged for Bambie to be taken to Bichos vets to review her X-rays and to be seen by Javier for a clinical examination. I’m doubly pleased to say that Bambie has improved a lot in the last week, and is also going to permanently live and be adopted by Lynne and her family. Lynne has done a great job looking after Bambie in the crucial days since finding Bambie. Undoubtedly Bambie would’ve died without help.

She will need further confined care, medication and checkups and must be spayed to prevent her getting pregnant which would be lethal but everything looks very positive. We wish Bambie a happy and healthy future.

Last Tuesday we were asked if we could help this tiny little girl found in the golf course in Caleta. Unable to use her back legs and all alone she needed urgent help. I was dealing with another cat situation further up the island so the kind lady that found her managed to put kitty in a box and get her to the local vet in Caleta.

Bambie as she’s been named by Lynne who found her, is looking after her until we can find out exactly what can be done. X-rays revealed her pubic bone is badly broken, the jagged edge of one of the breaks is dangerously close to her bladder, if it penetrates her bladder the concern is it could be instantly lethal.

So far she has been on lots of antibiotics and painkillers and confined to a bathroom for rest so she cannot cause any more damage. She is having trouble with her mobility. We have asked another vet with traumatic injury experience to take a look at her x-rays to see if her injuries are fixable or life-threatening.

For sure if she had been left and survived (which is unlikely) to maturity, giving birth would have been impossible. The next few days and prognosis will be very crucial for this little girl.

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update

Here is a little update video on Milly, Toffee, caramela and Willow (hiding), They are now very relaxed out and about in their new garden, and not a bit bothered about the rescue dog family, and have even taken over the dogs house.

What can we say but THANK YOU EVERYONE.

On Monday with the help of two very strong men we went and dismantled the shed, then transported it to where it needed to go and then not only put it back together but reinforced it and modified it so there is now a cat flap, a shelf inside and the glass windows were removed and fitted with mesh and galvanised metal to ensure its escape proof but well ventilated.

It took from 9am until 7.30pm from start to finish to complete the “mission” on Monday and the guys worked really hard and the results are fantastic .

The shed was very kindly donated by Julie Elliott and is pur-fect to house the lucky five cats as they adjust to their new surroundings.

In all it only cost twinkle €120 including materials, labour and petrol, so we have a bit left from your donations. This money will be put towards the vet bill at Bichos vet clinic.

On Tuesday we took Willow, Harry, Toffee, Milly & Caramela to their new home and their new mum is settling them in & now finally they can begin their new happy ever after.

Thank you all so very much for making this possible. Without Julie and the shed, their new mum, 2 strong men and our supporters it wouldn’t have happened. Very grateful & proud of what your kindness and teamwork can do

From This

To this

Looking forward to exploring

Enjoying the new view

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Last week we were busy trapping, neutering and releasing. In total we’ve helped 49 cats and kittens in the last 6 days.

Here’s Charlotte releasing a “ very pleased to be back home “ cat after he was castrated, treated against fleas & worms and given B&B for his recovery.

I’ve got to say a huge thanks to Charlotte and Sue for managing to catch 2 cats from this particular location, we’ve been trying to trap and neuter this family of cats for the last 11 months they are totally wild, trap savvy and cautious so it’s been a challenge. Still 3 more to catch ...so it’s a work in progress but very relieved to have achieved getting 2 of them.

This one certainly did not want to hang around

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Last week Cat/Suza & Sue/Charlotte have been catching cats for neutering and veterinary treatment.

It’s been a busy couple of days, so far 39 cats & kittens have been either sterilised or in the case of the young kittens they’ve just been treated for fleas/worms.

Also Alan one of our cat cafe volunteers had been spending many hours trying to catch some very tricky cats.

Sue & Charlotte have also managed to catch 2 cats that have been on our list since they were born 10 months ago, but have proved very difficult to trap, it’s great to get the time consuming and very wild cats caught and sorted.

Sterilising these cats literally saves their lives.

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Update

Humphrey has been adopted and has got Bella from England to keep him company. He has come such a long way from the weak little kitten we first met.

We found this very sick kitten at our gate in a box .

We don’t know how long it was outside our gate in the scorching sun, because we were out for many hours at the vet clinic and the airport. But it seems he started off at the rubbish bins, then was left at our gate. He’s very sick and skinny, and needs a lot of medication and TLC if we’re to help him survive

UPDATE

Little Humphrey (that started his day at the rubbish bins, then was left at our gate) really enjoying lots of cuddles and play with Catherine, our super friend, volunter and trapper extraordinaire. He’s still very sick and weak, and hasn’t the energy to do much but he sure loves human company and cuddles.

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We were asked to help this tortie mum cat and her ginger son, they live in the grounds of a hotel but they get feed every day by a kind lady, who noticed they were both limping badly. Thanks to the help of friends Margaret and Angela, who were willing and able to trap them both (they can’t be touched) at the usual spot, at the usual time of 11pm, over the course of two nights both mum and son were trapped and taken to Bichos clinic for full X-rays and examinations whilst under... anaesthetic.

Although no reason could be found for the ginger boys limp he was given anti inflammatory medication and is now walking ok.

Mum has the most amazing X-ray, showing where she has previously had a badly broken leg which has naturally healed. Because the bones have fused in such an extreme way, a repair cannot be made. Amputation was considered but that would mean she can’t return to be with her son ( they are always together) and the many weeks / months of healing would have meant she would have to be confined to a cage. As they are wild, and don’t like being touched or handled, we have made the decision on the vets advise to return them both to their spot, where they can be monitored and we will be notified if anything changes or they need help in the future. Both cats were treated with a 2 weeks course of pain medication and also given flea and worm treatment just to ensure they are comfortable in the coming weeks.

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Here are mummy and here 3 baby's getting their final check up at Bichos vets a few days ago, as you can see mummy could not resist giving them a good clean whist they waited to be seen.

SATURDAY MORNING

Mum & 3 kittens! Found this morning in a little village, inside the bottom of a large industrial rubbish bin by a friend and Twinkle volunteer, who had to climb into the bin to rescue the 3 kittens. Mummy had obviously managed to climb out of the bin but her babies are to small and were in a state of panic and fear. Mum was crying trying to encourage them out but they were in one of the really big high bins ( they could not have climbed up & inside) and had no chance of get...ting out. The kittens have eye infections and all of them including mummy are smothered in fleas. We’ve removed as many fleas as possible but there are mini mountains of fleas embedded into all their ear folds and any other hard to get at spot. We’ve bathed their eyes, applied antibiotics, which we must do 3 times a day, and each kitten has had kitten stronghold, and mummy has had adult stronghold. At the moment the kittens are traumatised by what’s happened but they are not wild. Mum is especially grateful and friendly, she even climbed onto our laps as we were cleaning her babies up. Tomorrow I’m sure they will look and feel a lot better. This is not the first time we’ve pulled kittens out of the bins, infact I’ve lost count how many times, sadly I don’t think it will be the last. By this evening the nightly rubbish truck would have come and .. need I say more

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UPDATE
Miella with her baby Marmite. Since Miella’s milk dried up I’ve been syringe feeding Marmite, and he’s doing really well. He’s started to eat a little soft food on his own, which is great news for Marmite and me. Miella is still a mum with ‘L’ plates,

when I go into feed Marmite she tramples over him to get to me for cuddles, even so she is protective of her little boy if she hears strange noises and encourages Marmite to try and eat his special soft food and he still suckles on his mum for comfort.

I’m so relieved and happy that he’s doing so well, it’s really lovely to see him bouncing about the place, just like a kitty should

Miella and her baby Marmite having a cuddle and a doze after lunch.

He’s doing really well now, he still needs syringe feeding several times a day and a late feed at night but he’s trying to lap at his weaning food and water & he’s put on weight and almost 560 grams now.

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Miela and her baby Marmite. What a difference 9 days make. Miela has gone from being a starving, young mum who was doing her best to keep her new born babies safe and now she is the proudest, happiest mummy ever.

She loves it when we give her cuddles on our lap and more so when we include Marmite. We’re weighing Marmite from time to time to ensure she’s gaining weight (and she is),

Miela knows her baby is safe with us and is happy for us to handle her baby too, but the other day she decided a weigh in wasn’t necessary. as Judy put Marmite on the baby weighing scales, Miela promptly hopped on the scales, gently picked up Marmite in her mouth and took her back to bed.

The night she was found

With her baby now

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Is this really a house?, a home?, you might ask ! Yes it really is for 1 poor unwell man and his many cats.

We were asked to help some cats 2 months ago in a non tourist area. Directions were very vague but we went, unfortunately we couldn’t find the “house” or the cats we were told of. Unable to get any more information we had to give up.... but the story of 20 starving, unneutered cats kept playing on our mind. When friends/volunteers Catherine and Suza offered to help catch some cats for neutering last week, I gave them them what little details I had. With Catherine’s “never give up attitude” and Suza’s brilliant help & local knowledge, plus long phone calls in Spanish in the dark whilst bouncing down dirt tracks to nowhere, they saw an old ruin way off in the distance close to an unused beach, far from civilisation, electricity, water and any sign of life. By now it was almost dark as they reached the run down house. Still on the phone to the person that originally told us about the situation, they were told to call out to the occupant, out of the darkness a frail man appeared and after explaining we were asked to help his cats he let us inside.I say inside but there is no roof to speak of just torn and weathered tarpaulin and a front wall with a padlocked door. Inside were 9 live cats, 2 live kittens with inches of bird droppings covering the floor and everything else and rubbish everywhere, they found dead kittens and other decomposed matter that could not be identified. By now it was completely dark, stepping anywhere or moving things out of the way to search was lethal. But by 1.30am they had caught all but 2 of the cats, 1 being a mum with crying kittens in a difficult get to corner and a clever ginger that took off.

After a brief pause and stepping outside to catch their breath they went back in ( having to use their phones as touches) and managed to trap the mother and then went diving into goodness only knows what, to reach in and get the 2 live kittens. With the ginger cat nowhere to be seen, they promised the man they would return the next day during day light, to try and catch the last ginger cat.

Once Catherine and Suza had managed to navigate out of the middle of nowhere through the darkness they made it back to Twinkle's facility where we immediately set about assessing and feeding the cats and settling mum and her 2 new born kittens still with their umbilical cords attached into a foster cage. I’ve never seen such a more relived and happy mummy Cat, when we put her in her nice clean bed with her babies she snuggled up to them and instantly started purring and padding away at the soft donut shaped bed and set about giving her kitts a wash. Story continues below

Please Click Here To Read Catherine's Short Responce

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These are the photos of the cats and kittens we rescued from the ruined house. 8 adults are still with Twinkle until we can find new homes.

Although they all had to be trapped,all but one is very sweet and friendly, they just weren’t used to seeing anyone other than their poor dad. Unfortunately the white cat had a huge internal head tumour, she was so friendly but any bright light caused her pain so we made sure her last night was clean and cosy, she could only eat liquid food so we mixed up some pain medication into Mercadona liquid cat food with mashed up chicken, which she loved, I think she had the best nights sleep in a long time.

Two of the females had obviously had kittens recently but because the kittens had not survived they had developed mastitis we’ve got them on medication and already they are looking and feeling more comfortable and in less pain.

The friend of the sick owner that initially asked us for help is trying to convince the man to accept professional personal help from the church and local authorities so he can be moved to a special needs home where he can receive professional medical and mental health treatment.

He is a good man at heart, that just can’t care for the cats or his frail self.

Please Click Here To Read Catherine's Short Responce