New arrivals
A Palmerston North rest home has welcomed two new residents, Bob and Annie.
The names might not give it away, but they are only 8-weeks old and will soon move out.
A Palmerston North rest home has welcomed two new residents, Bob and Annie.
The names might not give it away, but they are only 8-weeks old.
Radius Peppertree Rest Home, on Roberts Line, has started fostering kittens from the SPCA, a move benefiting both parties.
Nikki Fox, a registered nurse at the rest home who has worked for the SPCA in the past, came up with the idea.
The rest home is now looking after two 8-week old kittens, who were found on the side of the road by a member of the public. The
‘‘They’re just starting to hunt for themselves. We can’t keep up with them.’’ Laurie Mcdermott, on Bob and Annie.
residents have named the kittens are fast growing fond of them.
Lauren Hood, the rest home’s office manager, said residents were enjoying the kittens’ company, as many of them had to give up their pets. ‘‘The residents love them. They bring them so much joy.’’
Once Bob and Annie are big enough to be de-sexed and rehomed, Peppertree will continue to foster other kittens.
Resident Laurie Mcdermott named Annie after his grandmother.
Mcdermott said he enjoyed watching the kittens running around outside. ‘‘They’re just starting to hunt for themselves. We can’t keep up with them.’’
Resident Sydney Burne is waiting patiently for his turn to have the kittens in his room, but has been enjoying their company in the rest home’s communal areas. ‘‘When I lost my wife, I lost my cats, my birds, my everything. You look after the animals and they’ll pay you back in love.’’
SPCA cattery supervisor and foster co-ordinator Brigid Allen said fostering gives the kittens more human exposure and relaxes them, which makes it easier for them to find homes. ‘‘It’s is a medical fact that stroking a kitten helps to lower your blood pressure.’’
The SPCA has provided the rest home with everything it needs to look after the kittens, including food, bowls and litter trays.
All the rest home has to provide is love and lots of cuddles, which are in no shortage. ‘‘It’s great for residents and great for us,’’ Allen said.