Charity in plea to pet lovers as flood of kitties arrives (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Charity in plea to pet lovers as flood of kitties arrives

9:59am Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

A Chippenham charity that takes in abandoned moggies is hoping kind-hearted locals are feeling generous as it hits its hardest year yet.

Cat Rescue, which has ‘foster families’ to take care of the pets in Chippenham, Calne, Melksham, Devizes and Corsham, say they have reached capacity, with half-a-dozen people taking care of around 80 cats.

New owners are desperately needed to rehome the cats, which are sometimes given to the charity, or end up there after living as strays.

Jean Gilbert, who runs the charity and lives in the Monkton Park area, said: “I have been doing this for 20 years but I have never seen a year as bad as this one.

“Many of our cats now come to us because landlords won’t allow people to have cats. A fortnight ago, a kitten was dumped in Biddestone, and five were abandoned in Melksham. We are at more than capacity. Some of these cats are very cruelly abandoned.”

Foster families take in as many cats as they feel able to, with some having just a few, while others have 30 or 40 to care for.

Kind-hearted Lisa Sharman, who lives with her family in Quemerford, houses 24 kittens, some as young as five weeks old.

She said: “A kitten is very sweet and cuddly, but then they turn into adult cats, and it seems as if people lose interest. “People don’t realise the impact of what they are doing. We live in a ‘throw-away’ society – people don’t want to take responsibility.”

The charity raises funds through public donations, car boot sales and the sale of handmade cards.

As well as taking in domestic pets, from kittens that have been dumped to old cats needing a quiet home, Cat Rescue also takes in feral cats, which are often taken in by farmers and home-owners with outdoor space.

Mrs Gilbert said: “We recently rehomed an 18-year-old cat, so that’s one example of a very old cat going to new owners, and we pay for all the vet’s bills.

“When we take in feral cats, we have them spayed and neutered, and you often find them going to live in stables where they can kill rats. Some of these cats are not going on to be pets in the home, but would rather be outdoors.”

To take on a moggy from Cat Rescue, or to give a donation for food or care, call Jean Gilbert on (01249) 653443.