The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) was given a present recently. Four tiny kittens were handed to them who were 10 days old.
Although it was a hot day, they were icy cold. One had died, one was dying and two immediately needed bottle feeds to have any chance of surviving.
The kittens had been born to a stray cat who was no more than a kitten herself and had started attacking them. NAWT asked the neighbours who brought them in to find the mother cat as she may be ill herself but she has not been found. Since their arrival, staff have handreared the kittens – named Bliss and Chance – by bottle feeding them two hourly. If you would like to offer one a home when they are old enough, call 020 8950 0177.
If you home Bliss or Chance, at least you will know why they are not with their mother. Founded by TV vet, Marc Abraham, Pup Aid has launched an e-petition asking the government to ban the sale of young puppies and kittens unless the mothers are present as an absent mother can indicate puppy or kitten farming. The exceptions would be rescue animals which have been orphaned or abandoned.
Puppy farming is the mass commercial production of puppies for profit with little thought for the welfare of the animals involved. Kept in horrific conditions, then sent long distances for sale at pet shops, private dealers and web sites, these animals are often unhealthy. If buying a puppy or kitten, Pup Aid believes prospective owners should ask “Where’s Mum?” They should insist on seeing the puppy or kitten interacting with the mother and should be aware of scams aiming to conceal puppy farming. They would prefer people to adopt from a legitimate animal rescue charity.
If you want to know more, Pup Aid 2013, takes place on Saturday September 7 at Primrose Hill Park NW1 between 10am to 5pm. This fun day out includes stalls, food and a celebrity-judged dog show. To sign the e-petition, go to www.pupaid.org .
