Topic: Kitten cam - super cute! (Read 10234 times)

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #59 on:** March 27, 2010, 16:02:14 PM »

We found at Adel that videos made a HUGE difference to people's reactions to the cats and helped re-home 2 of our semi feral cats as the adopter could see how they would play and interact when they were relaxed with their fosterer, rather than just seeing their fleeing behinds when people went to view them!

I've set up a Ustream account for Wharfevalley CP to hopefully follow our own Poppy and her 4 kittens.

Thanks so much to Pinter75 for the idea, it could prove really useful and a real way for members of the public to see what we do... how great would it be to have cameras for all the cats??!! Although getting a laptop in each pen might be a little difficult!

Janeyk · « **Reply #58 on:** March 27, 2010, 06:52:48 AM »

Quote from: Tan on March 26, 2010, 15:21:09 PM

Love watching this and wonderful rasing money for CP too.

What a great plan for cpl rehoming I wonder if some rescues could do this for little one they have to rehome? Would it help the hard to rehome babes?

Yep, quite a few rescues do Tan, Adel CP used to and I really think it can help rehome cats 'cos it's next best thing to seeing them for real

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #57 on:** March 26, 2010, 21:37:18 PM »

I've just been watching the view on camera no 2 - the way Poppy is lying it's a close up of one of the babies feeding

Have just seen this on the 'interactive' bit - can't wait!

Coming soon!

Hi!, I am busy designing some interactive
toys for when the kittens leave their nest!

You will be able to control these and play
with the kittens over the web.

So check back soon!

AliCat · « **Reply #56 on:** March 26, 2010, 20:55:27 PM »

They are so very cute. Hope this raises lot of money!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #55 on:** March 26, 2010, 17:38:13 PM »

Ooh, how exciting

Could be a good way to help with fundraising if you spread the word and it takes off like the Poo-cam has

Angiew · « **Reply #54 on:** March 26, 2010, 17:25:45 PM »

Coventry cat group kitten cam - coming to a PC near you soon (hopefully!).
Well , if its running sooner than later it will be pregnant cat cam first.....

Tan · « **Reply #53 on:** March 26, 2010, 15:24:30 PM »

Coo thats great caus eyou tend to get more attched to a live vid feed than just a pic

We have a Ustream account to do the Purrs draw with. It's easy to use and free

Dawn F · « **Reply #52 on:** March 26, 2010, 15:22:49 PM »

some already do Tan, i've seen it on one rspca site

Tan · « **Reply #51 on:** March 26, 2010, 15:21:09 PM »

Love watching this and wonderful rasing money for CP too.

What a great plan for cpl rehoming

I wonder if some rescues could do this for little one they have to rehome? Would it help the hard to rehome babes?

Daisymac · « **Reply #50 on:** March 26, 2010, 14:52:54 PM »

Oh Poo Poo come back, your babies are lonely

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #49 on:** March 26, 2010, 14:42:36 PM »

Thanks for the how to guide

I feel I may need to set up a camera in the kitten room for The Magnificent Seven at some point

Pinter75 · « **Reply #48 on:** March 26, 2010, 14:34:47 PM »

Hi,

I have just spoken to the CP, who will be linking back to the site on their facebook, and twitter pages hopefully next week.

We talked about getting their logo on the site, but that is a long drawn out usage affair, so for now it will just be text links.

Looks like we have just hit the USA, over 2000 views over night!

Steve.

Daisymac · « **Reply #47 on:** March 26, 2010, 14:29:23 PM »

I cant stop watching this, I loved it when Gracie had her Kittens, I want to set up a Ripley cam

clarenmax · « **Reply #46 on:** March 26, 2010, 14:08:57 PM »

I've only just spotted this

I'm so pleased that all the earlier questions have been resolved, and that CP will be receiving the donations on this

Poppy and her babies are gorgeous, and its great that homes are already lined up for the little'uns

Pinter75 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 26, 2010, 13:47:17 PM »

Hi,

I am getting a few questions about how to do this. I will word it in not technical terms ready...

1) You need a webcam - It can be a super quality one, or a cheap £5 PC World one. You really get what you pay for with these.

2). Optional If you want it so see in the dark, you need 2 things. First you have to modify the camera. Now this is not hard, All webcames come with an IR filter on the lens. You need to remove this. Some pop off, some you have to break up and remove. There are a few how-to explanations if you Google. You will also need an IR illuminator. This is just a light that we, nor the cats can see but the camera can (now we have removed the IR filter).

3). A computer connected to the Internet, on for the duration of the broadcast. A laptop etc is fine providing it is running XP or newer. Macs work too.

4). An account at a free streaming service, we use www.ustream.com. Follow their sign up, and then you can connect to your camera, and send the video feed to them. They handle all the large bandwidth - you are sending small amounts of data to them. Ustream then host the video feed and your viewers connect to them. A free account lets you run just 1 camera. Paid accounts let you have more cameras and higher resolutions.

You embed the video in your webpage, just as you would if you were embedding a Youtube video.

Just like this - tada :-)

<a href="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/3489811" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/3489811</a>

If you need a hand doing this, then I am happy to help.

Steve.

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #44 on:** March 26, 2010, 13:35:50 PM »

Out of interest Pinter how do you link the camera to the internet and how do you then link the camera feed to a website? (sorry if they are stupid questions but I'm not that great with computers lol)

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #43 on:** March 26, 2010, 10:35:26 AM »

Hi Pinter75

I just wondered if you knew if the Tom cat belongs to comeone locally or is a stray?

If he's a stray it might be worth contacting your local CP to have him trapped and neutered so that he not only doesn't father more kits, but also make his life more healthy and happy

If he's owned, it might be worth mentioning the benefits of neutering to the owner ? CP can also help with financial costs if that's a worry to the owner.. of course you can never force someone to neuter their own pet, but they may just be unaware of the risks for an un-neutered Tom

Hope Poppy and the kits are doing well x

PS: From a technical point of view - does this kind of set up take a long time to maintain and stream and is it expensive? From a rescue point of view, we're always looking for ways to capture the public's imagination and increase our funds to pay for essential vet treatment and with kitten season looming, it may be something that we could consider for our own website (but only if it was cheap!!!)

Daisymac · « **Reply #42 on:** March 26, 2010, 08:44:06 AM »

Awww I love watching this, thanks for sharing

sheryl · « **Reply #41 on:** March 25, 2010, 21:56:47 PM »

And to mine Purrdy - they are a lovely little family

thanks for sharing Steve

purrdy1 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 25, 2010, 20:48:03 PM »

hmmmmm

I pesonally love the idea of the kitten cam. I also know that people have choices. they can either donate or not....

thng is the kittens are here, they are warm fed and loved and will no doubt go to happy loving homes....

Ithink Pinter 75 just wanted to share the joy of this event with ohers. I didnt think it was meant to be any sort of a 'scam'.

I can also appreciate how people can get upset about donations etc...many of the other big charities pay people a lot of money to run them as they are actually seen as 'business'

I dont think pinter75 had any intention of ripping people off.....just a genuine intent to bring a smile to peoples faces!

it certainly brought a smile to mine

Pinter75 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 25, 2010, 18:33:06 PM »

Quote from: Christine (Blip) on March 25, 2010, 18:22:46 PM

Thank you for your prompt response, Steve.

That's ok. Feedback is important, and I can see the issues raised in hindsight.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #38 on:** March 25, 2010, 18:22:46 PM »

Thank you for your prompt response, Steve.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:49:08 PM »

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on March 25, 2010, 17:42:27 PM

Steve,

Thanks very much for the updates. I think we all appreciate the effort you are making in this to support CP fully. The fact that you are arranging for Poppy to be spayed (and her falling pregnant is I am sure understandable to us all considering the circumstances) and are finding local homes for all the kittens demonstrates your desire to do well by Poppy and her babies.

Please do keep us updated on her progress.

Thanks!

yes we always strive to do our best with our cats. We have one other male and a female, both have been neutered/spayed. Just Poppy's turn in that list got delayed.

We are just thankful that she only had 3!

The kittens have all been fathered by the only tom in the neighbourhood that has not been neutered!

Hopefully after I have sorted out the best way to work with the CPL, I can place their endorsement on the fund raising.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #36 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:42:27 PM »

Steve,

Thanks very much for the updates. I think we all appreciate the effort you are making in this to support CP fully. The fact that you are arranging for Poppy to be spayed (and her falling pregnant is I am sure understandable to us all considering the circumstances) and are finding local homes for all the kittens demonstrates your desire to do well by Poppy and her babies.

Please do keep us updated on her progress.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:30:22 PM »

Ok,

I have updated all the pages regarding donations.

Now provides links direct to the CPL website, for all donation handling, we don't take any money, and the £32 has been refunded, and suggested the donations be made direct to CPL.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:19:36 PM »

Yes, I can totally understand the problem areas.

I am addressing these now, luckily we have not spiralled out of control with donations at the moment. I am making some changes to the site and will post again when these are made.

Thanks for bringing this up.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:17:49 PM »

I think things are becoming too heated.

Here is the plan. 100% of donations will be given to the CPL.

We won't add any more cameras etc., I am removing all donation links until I talk to the CPL who are ringing me tomorrow.

Is this more amenable?

To date we have received only £32 in donations, I am refunding this to the people who donated, and they can choose to donate direct.

Also the cats all already have homes locally.

I spoke to a person at the head office fund raising team. If you phone them and tell them that someone contacted them about this, they will know.

Is this better?

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:12:38 PM »

Quote from: Pinter75 on March 25, 2010, 16:57:04 PM

Wow, to be honest I have never come across so much hostility in one forum!

If people want to see it, why can they not donate to do so. If they want to donate direct to the CPL fine.

Any help would be appreciated. I am not asking that you donate, I am not asking that you pay to view - it is FREE. I have paid for everything, I do pay for her food and litter. I am paying to have her spayed.

What is so hard to understand with this.

I notice that this site has a donate button, why is that - can the owners not pay for it for all of you to use for free?

Mod Note:

Steve, thanks very much for trying to clarify. Others have already aswered the question relating our own fundraising so I won't repeat those.

I think the question here is, as a site/forum dedicated to rescue, we're all a bit challenged by your request for funds via your site, to help pay in part for running costs when the kittens themselves will only be with you for a short period before they are rehomed. Yes, people have a choice to donate funds to you. However, if it's free, then why not raise funds only for CP, why take any funds for yourself at all?

I hope you can see the side of rescue and the concern our members have.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #31 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:05:30 PM »

Quote from: Pinter75 on March 25, 2010, 16:57:04 PM

I notice that this site has a donate button, why is that - can the owners not pay for it for all of you to use for free?

They do. All money raised by Purrs is donated to UK cat rescues. We also have a shop, the profits from which go to rescues as well.

Den · « **Reply #30 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:04:50 PM »

The money used from the donate button on this site goes to cat rescues. Just like money raised from the shop, auctions, competitions ... it all goes to rescue.

Teresa Pawcats · « **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2010, 17:04:22 PM »

Pinter you were unaware of the cat problem in this country, you will therefore be unaware of Back Streeet breeders selling sick and under aged kittens, also of the idiots making a fast buck selling pregnant cats,the internet helps all this happen and some idiot will spot your site and decide to make a fast buck doing the same,Sorry but I cannot condone what you are doing. Maybe donate your equipment to Cats Protection and allow them to show the poor cats/kittens who come into rescue.

May I ask for the name and number of person you spoke to at Cats Protection.
How to you show this income to Inland Revenue ?

Dawn F · « **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:58:22 PM »

I think the hostility is more about yet more unplanned kittens!

Pinter75 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:57:04 PM »

Quote from: Den on March 25, 2010, 16:49:02 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't get this at all. Poppy is your pet cat, therefore any food/litter/toys for her and the kittens needs to come out of your own pocket. You should not ask for donations for this stuff.

If it's too expensive to keep running, then don't keep it up. I don't see why people should pay your Internet bill for you because you require more bandwith. I think things like bandwith/food/litter/cameras etc etc needs to come out of your pocket .. and people can donate to CPL if they like and all donations go to them.

Wow, to be honest I have never come across so much hostility in one forum!

If people want to see it, why can they not donate to do so. If they want to donate direct to the CPL fine.

Any help would be appreciated. I am not asking that you donate, I am not asking that you pay to view - it is FREE. I have paid for everything, I do pay for her food and litter. I am paying to have her spayed.

I notice that this site has a donate button, why is that - can the owners not pay for it for all of you to use for free?

Den · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:49:02 PM »

I'm sorry, but I don't get this at all. Poppy is your pet cat, therefore any food/litter/toys for her and the kittens needs to come out of your own pocket. You should not ask for donations for this stuff.

If it's too expensive to keep running, then don't keep it up. I don't see why people should pay your Internet bill for you because you require more bandwith. I think things like bandwith/food/litter/cameras etc etc needs to come out of your pocket .. and people can donate to CPL if they like and all donations go to them.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:37:53 PM »

Quote from: Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) on March 25, 2010, 16:34:33 PM

Quote from: Teresa Pawcats on March 25, 2010, 16:27:33 PM
I am not technically minded at all and dont understand about equipment needed but surely these kittens will be grown in no time, Is it therefore worth spending money on equipment.

That is what I was thinking as they are 1 week old today and I don't know how long Pinter intends to keep them before allowing them to go new owners but even if he keeps them until they are 14 weeks old that is only another 13 weeks which seems pointless to spend a lot of money on equipment for this short period of time.

We are talking about 2 more webcams. As low as £5 at some major PC retailers. The main investment in gear is already here and working.

A license to broadcast more than 1 camera is good, but I can use other hosts etc and do this for free.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:36:40 PM »

Quote from: Christine (Blip) on March 25, 2010, 16:31:26 PM

Quote from: Pinter75 on March 25, 2010, 16:17:56 PM
I can understand the queries about this being some kind of commercial setup. Maybe i should have not put so much effort into designing the site?

I work in marketing myself and it is the prospective sale of ad banners that caught my attention. I shall leave the link as you did not post it yourself, after all. No doubt our members will have more questions for you.

The space is not technically for sale in monetary terms, but decent donations of food, etc to the kittens and Poppy will get exposure in that area. There are no terms specified in that section, because it all depends on what is on offer.

Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:34:33 PM »

Quote from: Teresa Pawcats on March 25, 2010, 16:27:33 PM

I am not technically minded at all and dont understand about equipment needed but surely these kittens will be grown in no time, Is it therefore worth spending money on equipment.

That is what I was thinking as they are 1 week old today and I don't know how long Pinter intends to keep them before allowing them to go new owners but even if he keeps them until they are 14 weeks old that is only another 13 weeks which seems pointless to spend a lot of money on equipment for this short period of time.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:31:26 PM »

Quote from: Pinter75 on March 25, 2010, 16:17:56 PM

I can understand the queries about this being some kind of commercial setup. Maybe i should have not put so much effort into designing the site?

I work in marketing myself and it is the prospective sale of ad banners that caught my attention. I shall leave the link as you did not post it yourself, after all. No doubt our members will have more questions for you.

Teresa Pawcats · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:27:33 PM »

You have kindly opened up Poppys life to us, hopefully now that you are here you will take time to read about some of the poor homeless cats and kittens currently being helped by myself and other rescuers.

I am not technically minded at all and dont understand about equipment needed but surely these kittens will be grown in no time, Is it therefore worth spending money on equipment.

Pinter75 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2010, 16:22:42 PM »

Quote from: Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's) on March 25, 2010, 16:19:53 PM

Can I just ask Pinter why you are only donating 30% of the money to the CPL and not all of it or the vast majority of it?

That is going to change. Initially we needed to purchase a license to broadcast more than 2 cameras.

Traffic has gone through the roof with thousands of visits a day, and we did not expect this.

I will be making the required changes as soon as us and the CPL can sort out what we need to do.

Edit: A minimum of 50% will be donated. Things like bandwidth etc... need to be covered with such a throughput of traffic.

Author Topic: Kitten cam - super cute! (Read 10234 times)