Cats Protection is urging pet owners to reconsider abandoning their animals, as the charity reports a concerning rise in cat abandonment cases, which have surged by more than 30% this year.
At the Berkshire Cat Centre, nearly one in nine cats brought into care so far this year were abandoned. One such case involved a six-week-old kitten named Strawberry, who was found discarded in a cardboard box on the side of a road in Reading, alongside her mother and five littermates.
A passerby spotted the box and, realizing the cats were in distress, took them to a veterinarian. From there, they were transferred to Cats Protection. Upon arrival, all seven cats were underweight and suffering from severe cat flu. Strawberry, the smallest of the kittens, weighed less than 500g. She had been trying to nurse from her mother, but due to the mother’s own poor health, she was unable to produce milk. The Cats Protection team began feeding Strawberry a special diet to help her gain weight until she was strong enough to eat regular kitten food.
Strawberry’s flu also caused a painful ulcer in her eye, leading to significant swelling. For a time, it was uncertain whether the eye could be saved. However, with the help of antibiotics, eye drops, and consistent cleaning over the next few weeks, the ulcer healed well, leaving no lasting damage to her vision.
The care Strawberry and her family received was made possible through support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised over £9.9 million for Cats Protection since 2018.
Claire Lindley, Senior Rehoming and Welfare Assistant at the Berkshire Cat Centre, stated, “We understand that difficult circumstances can lead to tough decisions, but abandoning your cat should never be one of them, as it puts them in serious danger. Cats Protection offers advice and support to help owners keep their cats. If that’s not possible, we take them into care and find them loving new homes.”
Lindley continued, “With the support from People’s Postcode Lottery players, we can continue to be there for every cat and every owner who needs our help.”
Strawberry also displayed an unusual smoky tint to her fur, known as a “fever coat.” This occurs when the mother is ill during pregnancy, causing the tips of the fur to appear lighter in color. Fortunately, this did not affect Strawberry’s health, and the fur coloring is expected to return to normal as she matures.
Despite her rough start, Strawberry grew into a playful and affectionate kitten. She would purr happily while snuggling with people, and after fully recovering, she was adopted into a forever home where she is now thriving.
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