This blog post remembers the work of two of our favorite animal rights activists.
Almost 90 years ago, they were structuring a ‘special society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cats’, ……and the work continues today – http://www.cats.org.uk/
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The Cats’ Protection League
– a group of likeminded people led by Jessey Wade who were devoted to promoting the interests of domestic cats.
Jessey Wade – the first Chairman
Ernest Bell – the first Treasurer
From – http://www.cats.org.uk/
1927 – During the 1920s, cats were not seen as the companion animals they are today. Rather than pets, most were thought of as nothing more than pests.
The business of breeding cats was severely curtailed when, in 1923, an outbreak of rabies restricted the importation of cats. The attention of pedigree breeders and members of cat clubs was diverted to the humble moggy. Concern was expressed at the ignorance of many people regarding the needs of the domestic cat.
So much so that on 16 May, 1927, a meeting of these like-minded people was held at Caxton Hall, London, under the chairmanship of Miss Jessey Wade at which it was resolved… ‘that a society be formed to be devoted exclusively to promoting the interests of cats and that its name be The Cats’ Protection League.’
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An item in our Ernest Bell Library collection.…
Cats’ Protection League – pin – circa 1930 – THOMAS FATTORINI LIMITED – 22 mm in diameter
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An article by Jessey Wade –
AND CATS:
Jessey Wade, The Animals’ Friend, April 1927
It seems passing strange that during all the years which have gone by since Richard Martin first stood up, literally, for the legal protection of horses, and a Member of Parliament shouted in derision, “You will want a Bill to protect dogs next!” and another added, as the crowning absurdity, “And cats!” that no adequate Society has ever taken root to befriend these household gods who often fall from high estate, and their brothers the strays. A society has been suggested several times, but when one reads of the many cat shows and breeders, the many devotees of Puss, one wonders why this interest in, and possibly love of, the feline tribe, does not lead any section of the public to come to grips with the appalling state of misery and muddle which besets the problem.
Should cats be taxed? Can they be taxed? Does chloroform provide the most humane death, or is electricity better? Are the shelters properly run? and many other points, are often argued, but never settled. Dogs and horses are better provided for.
At the present moment we read that the College of Pestology, of all places, is urging the registration of cats, and a Bill to make it law, and thinks the animals themselves will greatly benefit thereby – in other words, a tax. There are many objections to the suggestion, and we doubt if it, could be worked.
Two recent cases in court have also helped to bring home to many people the feeling that something should be done.
One was the mismanagement of a lethal box at a cat shelter, when the victim, “appearing to be dead,” afterwards crawled back to his home, and was discovered by the owner a week later, when it then died after how great suffering, who can tell?
The other was a case of the “old fashioned method” of drowning kittens, which was very rightly condemned by the magistrate. The defendant did not even keep the kittens underneath the water. Their cries were heard, and a prosecution by the R.S.P.C.A. was the result.
This cause is just typical of many others. The majority of people do not know what to do with unwanted animals, and there is no signpost available.
Education, instruction, persuasion, district visitors and district lectures – all these might be tried, because knowledge and the inculcation of sympathy would help to stem, the swarms of miserable cats that the shelters, with all praiseworthy zeal, do their utmost to collect from the streets.
We want to see a special society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cats inaugurated, determined to find a way to improve their condition, without bringing hardships or restrictions upon the poor, whose only friend may be a “furry” brother.
Specialisation is the order of the day, and so it must have its place in this matter. We cannot get away from the fact that some folk like dogs best and others cats; some detest the sight of them, but even these are not heartless – they will see that justice at least is done to the harmless necessary cat.
At the ANIMALS’ FRIEND office we feel ashamed at our inability to tell enquirers where they can safely board their cats when leaving home – so few are the caterers for this one urgent need.
My new society, to be, must make this want supplied – a temporary home without danger of infection or escape.
Who, then, will think out a happy idea? And who, agreeing with this little appeal, will send in their names as soon as possible to the A.F. Secretary. Notices of a meeting-place will then be issued, and an opportunity for some practical proposals, which will, we hope, start the ball rolling. And remember, above all, that shelters are palliatives – useful indeed – but they are not cures for what is wrong with our cats.
Mrs. Ball, of Mapperley, Notts, had this interesting story of a cat to tell in the Observer of January 30, 1927:
“Three years ago an intelligent and beautiful cat died suddenly one night, apparently from poison, to the family sorrow, as he was a great pet. The following evening, as nearly as is possible to ascertain at the exact time, my husband, on descending from the tram at the terminus with friends, felt something rub against his leg, and discovered it to be a half-grown, and apparently more than half-starved, tabby kitten. Without waiting for invitations, he walked along with him some considerable distance, and, on nearing the house, preceded him, turned in at the gateway, and down the side entry to the door. Having apparently learnt to be wary from early troubles, he still decorates the hearthrug, a somnolent sphinx of incredibly good temper.”
“Now, did the discarnate ‘Tim’ put the lost and disconsolate ‘Peter’ on to a good thing? or did my husband’s sympathy (conscious or unconscious) with the children’s grief at their pet’s unnatural end reach out in some telepathic or hypnotic manner and find a lost cat who happened to be at the terminus in the darkness at that particular time? And why did the cat turn in at the gate of his own accord?”
Editor’s Note:- And so the Cats Protection League came into being in June 1927.
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Our Note: – This article was republished in The Cat, December 1967 – the magazine of the Cats’ Protection League – some typos have been corrected.
……and May 1927 would be more accurate as the founding date of the Cats’ Protection League.
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