Meet the Quake Cats.

Our next post was not meant to be a book review but when we spotted this stunning book about the cats who survived the earthquakes in Christchurch, here in New Zealand, in 2010 and 2011 we knew it was a must have and a must read – for its stories and its exceptional pictures. Both were gathered by Craig Bullock , a professional photographer, and it is his photographs that bring this book and its many cats vibrantly to life.

Quake Cats Portraits

Many of the photographs of the quake cats are astonishingly beautiful colour portraits, each a perceptive character study, either a portrait or image that captures the essence of cat character and surroundings. One of the cats is a real escape artist see here.

The images are matched by text that not only tells the cat’s story but reflect how life was for people.  One couple left Christchurch but returned to ‘their city’ and were reunited with their missing cat; one lady founded RedZoneCats to reunite cats and families and rehome others work that still goes on today. The staff at the Orana Wildlife Park who, with family members in the central city to worry about, checked every single cage of the animals in their care and looked after visitors to ensure their safety.

Quake Cats – Their Stories

The Maine Coone’s, Cornish Rex’s, the tripods and tabbies, the wonderful black cats that fill the pages of this wonderful book, show you how much love people have for their cats, the commitment to their safety and care.  Many cats have changed because of the quakes and owners speak about these changes, how some indoor cats now want to be outdoor, others run from strangers or loud noises, but everyone cat is loved and cared for with patience, love and quite a bit of courage as Christhurch has had 14,000 aftershocks in the years since.

If you can get this book DO SO. Read it and enjoy the exquisite photographs, the marvelous stories and resilience of cats and their people.

Quake Cats – Craig Bullock

ISBN 978-1-77553-555-5
Random House, New Zealand