‘Help us prevent a kitten crisis’
AS THE weather gets warmer, spring also brings the birth of hundreds of unwanted kittens. Many are abandoned or sold cheaply on Gumtree and other websites and easily end up in the hands of abusers.
We are expecting 2015 to be the worst year for unwanted kittens. Last year, we took in 286 kittens, which in itself was a 19 per cent increase on the year before.
Tracy Deamer, Animal Welfare Officer said: “Although we always take in a large number of kittens during the warmer months, the exceptional increase we’ve experienced over the past couple of years has put an intolerable strain on our already limited resources.
“We had to set up all our spare kitten pens in our office as we were completely full at the cattery.
“I’m worried about what that will mean for us this summer. We are heading for a kitten crisis.”
Our Animal Welfare Team rescued more than 53 kittens in April alone, which is normally a quiet month. It’s hard work and it’s heart-breaking, but it’s the reality of this time of year for us here at the RSPCA Middlesex North West.
We absolutely need to be ready for the increasing need and block book another six cattery pens in our current site, for at least July and August. It will cost £3,348, which is why we are desperate for your help.
If we leave it too late, all the spare pens will be used by members of the public, boarding their pets during holidays. Please help us to prevent a kitten crisis.
It costs just £9 a day, for one cattery pen. Please can you help us to be able to help locally abandoned kittens? With your support, we will have the resources to rent much- needed additional cattery pens, and also buy kitten food, milk, bottles and bedding.
Please send whatever you can afford so that the next kitten who miaows for help, is heard. Thank you.
Your donation could make a real difference to kittens like Tick and Tock (pictured), who were rescued by an RSPCA inspector after a concerned member of public discovered them cowering in a bush.
Thankfully they are no the worse for their ordeal and are now hoping to find new forever homes where they will live in the lap of luxury for the rest of their lives.
We are hoping someone will be able to adopt both of these boys together, as they are fast friends and love playing together. Please call 02089669688 to adopt Tick and Tock.