Littered with love
THE Ashbourne Animal Welfare Society might not be able to open its doors to the public, or hold its monthly fundraisers at the moment, but its rescue and rehoming centre is still as busy as ever, taking in and caring for animals classed as “genuine emergencies”.
Last week we heard the story of Fifi, a Jack Russell who arrived at The Ark with a litter of day-old puppies, but this week we are focusing on its cats and kittens.
This time of year is known to staff and volunteers at the Wyaston Road-based charity as “kitten season”, and many pregnant cats, or cats with unwanted litters are dumped and need to be taken into the safety of a rescue centre.
Among the stories that have emerged from this busy time was that of Minty, who arrived heavily pregnant and gave birth to six kittens the following day.
A spokesman for the charity explained: “Her owner had moved away and left her behind to fend for herself.
“This sweet-natured cat proved to be an excellent mum and successfully reared her family of Rosemary, Dill, Parsley, Sage, Basil and Rocket.
“Happily all her kittens have now found new homes and, once spayed, Minty too will be hoping to find a loving new owner.”
Four motherless kittens arrived at The Ark next and Bluebell, Barley, Thistle and Tawny had been found in a poor state on a farm after the owner passed away.
Bluebell had a very bad dose of cat flu and, sadly, has already lost one eye to the virus but she is improving and all her kittens are now safe and much happier.
Next came Rosa, found living on waste ground in a damp cardboard box with her four kittens Ash, Acer, Willow and Maple.
Rosa is semi-feral and it will take time to get her confidence but her kittens are very friendly, although not yet old enough to leave their mum.
The Ark was then alerted to the plight of a young black cat and her kittens apparently fending for themselves amongst piles of rubbish in a garhas den behind an empty house.
It transpired that the owner had left, leaving mum and babies behind.
One of The Ark volunteers managed to catch mum and one tabby kitten and bring them to the safety of the rescue centre.
Mum was named Camilla and her kitten Charles but, sadly, the other kittens were never found.
Camilla and Charles were relieved to find themselves in a comfortable cat pen with soft bedding after living rough in their hazardous and uncomfortable conditions.
They proved to be a delightful, friendly pair and it wasn’t long be- fore they were chosen for adoption together.
The charity is still taking in emergency admissions, and among these a beautiful grey cat named Cloud arrived with her litter of five kittens after being found in a shed on an Alpaca farm. Although still shy the family is now thriving at The Ark.
Although The Ark has had to suspend the fund-raising activities the centre relies on to meet its enormous costs, its supporters have been finding other ways to help.
A spokesman said: “We would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has sent donations to help us during these troubled times.
“We have been greatly moved by the response from both supporters known to us and by complete strangers and, whilst we do try to
personally thank everyone, many of the donations we have received are anonymous so we would like to express our gratitude via this article.
“We are very, very grateful and astonished by the generosity of so many animal lovers and have received lovely letters, emails and telephone calls of encouragement, offers of help as well as donations.
“A big thank-you to one and all.”