A few weeks back, we were contacted by an individual who was overwhelmed with kittens. She told us that her cat kept having kittens and that she was at her wits end with the whole situation.
Our suggestion to her was really quite simple, “Why don’t you get your cat spayed?” Her answer was she couldn’t afford to. Our next question was, “How many cats do you have?” The answer was the mom who had just given birth to five babies and she had four others. The next question was, “Are all of the others altered?” Her reply was there were two that weren’t.
Our next question was, “How many are females?” and the answer was she had one female from a previous litter that she hadn’t been able to find a home for.
So at this point we agree to take mom and the babies and the the female from the previous litter who was now about 5 months old. We also got her a voucher for her un-neutered male.
The cats were dropped off and the necessary paperwork was filled out. During a conversation we had with the people that dropped off the cats we found out that mom was three or four years old and that she had had seven litters of kittens. We were astounded to say the least. Seven litters of kittens when the world already has so many unwanted animals! We just couldn’t wrap our minds around the whole situation.
In further conversation, we found out that the mom had been adopted from another rescue as a kitten and no steps were ever taken to insure that she got spayed once she was old enough. This poor mom cat, up until now it seems like everyone had failed her. Why would a kitten get adopted without some kind of safety put in place to insure that she got spayed? Once adopted and once pregnant the owner could not afford to get her spayed so this sweet girl was left to just keep multiplying.
Seven litters, with average litter size four to five kittens, resulted in approximately 35 kittens brought into this world needlessly. Out of that who knows how many females that could begin reproducing in just a few short months.
The litter she is nursing now has five kittens, four of which are female. Her other female cat that we took went into heat the week after she arrived. If we hadn’t stepped in the cycle would have repeated itself.
Once the cats arrived they were covered in fleas and the babies were too young to be treated so we have to remove them the good old fashioned way. Once this was done, we got everyone settled in and mom and babies are doing fine. This will be her last litter — no more babies for this sweet cat. She will be spayed once the babies are finished nursing. The female from the other litter is also scheduled to be spayed.
I realize that situations like this continue to happen and there really is no need. Everyone needs to educate themselves and start being a part of the solution not the problem. There are enough unwanted animals in this world and that is never going to change unless everyone does their part. Animals are not disposable. They are living breathing creatures with no voice. We are their voice and we are the ones that can stop this madness.
Thank you to all of the generous people who have brought in donations of food and litter and other items these past weeks. You have helped us more than you can imagine. We are now feeding 20 kittens and 35 adults.
Please bear with us. The sanctuary is run with all volunteers, so our hours are spotty. If you would like to visit, please call before you go to insure that someone will be there. Our number is 532-4900.
Getting a pet is not something anyone should take lightly. Sit down, look at your finances to see if you can afford to get the pet altered, and if the answer is ‘no’ don’t get one. While I realize that vet costs are very high these days and it makes it impossible for many people to be able to afford a pet there are programs out there that can assist you with neuter and spay. Educate yourselves about these programs. If you have questions call Lorraine at the Hollywood pet salon 532-7387.
Thank you for your continued support and as always thank you for reading our column.
