HAMPSHIRE CHARITY RECORDS RISE IN KITTENS HAVING KITTENS SINCE PANDEMIC
Source: Daily Echo (Extract)
Posted: July 9, 2022
A Hampshire charity has revealed there has been a sharp rise in the number of kittens getting pregnant – resulting in further complications.
Cats under the age of one becoming pregnant can lead to an increase in kitten mortality, complications, and poor health according to Fareham-based charity The Cat Welfare Group.
From the start of 2022 until now the charity has hand-reared 11 litters, dealt with four emergency c-section deliveries of kittens having kittens, and lost nine cats and kittens to neglect.
‘Neuter your cats’
In light of this, the charity has decided to start a programme of free nurturing for owned cats to reduce the number of sick kittens coming to them.
Charity CEO Lorri Seymour-Baynes said: “As a charity, we would usually only spend funds on cats and kittens in our care, but it became apparent early in the pandemic that as people got new pets, they were also finding it hard to get vet appointments, and or, to find the funds for neutering.
“With the cost of living rising, the situation is likely to get worse and so, with the help of some corporate sponsorship, we started the programme and have so far funded the neutering of 200 owned cats.”
Earlier this month, the charity was called to help a nine-month-old kitten who was giving birth.
Sadly, her four kittens died despite efforts from the vet.
The owners of the kitten were found but were unable to meet the cost of the emergency surgery, leaving the young cat to be surrendered to the charity.
Lorri said: “While extreme, this scenario is sadly not unfamiliar to us now, and could so easily have been prevented had this kitten been neutered at around six months old and not allowed outside until she was “Kitten deaths and severe health problems are preventable.
“Neuter your cats and don’t encourage ‘backstreet’ breeding by buying kittens online.”
