THE letter from B Bates of Shildon about cats (HAS, Oct 3) reminded me of my neighbour’s stunning pure white cat.

My neighbour inherited him when her friend had a baby who turned out to be allergic to cats.

So it was the cat or the baby who had to go and my friend took the cat.

He is called Zima which is Russian for snow.

He is magnificent but sadly he is a massive bird killer. He can take them out in the air almost. He jumps at them and very few get away.

The sad thing is that he does most of his hunting in my garden as I feed the birds and the hunting is good. He also is a super mouser and I see lots of evidence of his activity.

My friend took Zima to the vets to be neutered and the female vet duly removed his testimonials. She told my friend that kittens from a Norwegian forest cat like Zima this one can cost £850 each.

Sadly I am now a bit reluctant to feed my birds with my usual zeal as I feel all I am doing is providing 'sport' for Zima.

I also think if all cats were as fast and as good at hunting as Zima we would not have any birds.

I am, though, saving quite a bit of dosh on bird seed.

M Rolling, Durham.