There’s no such thing as a typical day at the shelter.
So, when we were asked to assist with rescuing 3 cats, our team quickly acted. We never truly know what to expect on an animal rescue, but we certainly weren’t expecting 10 times as many cats as initially prepared for!
Our shelter is not fit for purpose, it is an ageing facility. Our cattery only has limited capacity to ensure quality care. An additional 42 cats was a huge stretch of resources for our small team.
Cats King, Prince, Tsarina and Bishop were just 1 year old when they arrived in our care. Left to live amongst a large colony of cats in a very unhygienic environment, they had received very little socialisation in the short periods of their lives.
Rescued animals such as these often carry disease and require intensive care to survive. Behavioural rehabilitation is also crucial for animals who have yet to feel the love and warmth of caring hands.
When unsocialised cats arrive in our care they are shut down and scared of the unfamiliar world around them. The cats will hide, lay flat and low to the ground with tails tucked up underneath them.
Our team must slowly introduce themselves to the cats and teach them how to be independent, from using a litter tray to learning how to groom themselves.
When King first arrived at the shelter, the young black cat was mouthy and hesitant of our vet staff. Terrified of the unfamiliar world around him. King was missing fur over the base of his tail and was suffering from mild dental disease.
It took one month of what we call ‘leave to settle’ time before King first approached our staff. Slowly making his way to our team, King allowed soft and gentle pats along his back.
He sniffed and indulged in the delicious and smelly wet food on offer. This small but very exciting step was just the first of weeks’ worth of work. But getting to this point was no easy task.
The care of King and his siblings required a lot of additional time and resources. As well as enough food to keep the cats on a well-managed diet, the team regularly changed their bedding and blankets and provided toys and enrichment to make their time at the shelter as homely as possible.
It’s hard to imagine the life these cats were living before they arrived in our care. Living in such a large group with little food and illness they may not have survived had we not intervened.
Breakthroughs like the moment King and his siblings first moved forward and leaned into our staff make us feel that the important work our staff and volunteers are doing is successful.
Last financial year we cared for over 3,000 animals. A gift today goes towards helping those who need the most intensive care.
In the 2020/2021 financial year so far, we have seen 633 cats and 815 kittens arrive at the shelter with 883 requiring additional resources from our foster network. While proud of the work our small team achieves, we need your financial support to make these success stories possible.
King, Prince, Tsarina and Bishop are now living their best lives in loving forever homes. There are still however, many innocent animals suffering without their basic needs being met.
With you by our side in these difficult times, second chances are made true.
Can you make a lifesaving gift by June 30 to support the critical first step to ensure we are prepared for whatever animal needs us next