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Buying cats or kittens from private sellers online is a risky business says Cats Protection after they were contacted by the owners of two very sick white kittens asking for help. The charity’s Bridgend Adoption Centre in Wales recently took in Daffan and Dill who were sold for £360 the pair and advertised as being eight weeks old. When the new owners got the kittens home, they quickly realised that something was wrong as they were still trying to suckle and had raging diarrhoea. They took the kittens to the vet who advised them that they were in fact around five weeks old, had a huge burden of worms and one was slightly jaundiced. The vet also warned them they might die so they called on Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre for help. “We were really shocked at how ill they were,” said Sue Dobbs, manager of the centre. “The little girl Daff was particularly bad as she was very cold and very lethargic. As well as diarrhoea, the kittens went on to develop flu and we soon discovered they were deaf too. It took four weeks and a lot of energy and money to get the kittens back to full health.” To offer cats the same welfare protection as dogs, Cats Protection is urging the Government to consider regulating cat breeding so that potential buyers are able Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary
Kittens before
Kittens after
to go to a licensed cat breeder. It welcomed the recently announced Welsh Government consultation considering how best to address issues related to cat breeding and selling and is also calling for an update to the law on selling cats to reflect the modern age recognising that the majority of kittens and cats are now advertised for sale online. It's asking that this should include a ban on the commercial sale of kittens under eight weeks which could have prevented Daffan and Dill from being sold at such a young age. “Our branches across Wales still regularly tell us harrowing stories of kittens bred and sold that are very sick,” said Madison Rogers, Advocacy & Government Relations Officer. “It’s vital that the breeding of cats is regulated and the law on selling cats in Wales is updated to avoid such tragedies.”
“By choosing to adopt, rather than going to a breeder, you are caring for a kitten that already needs support instead of bringing another one into the world,” said Madison. “It’s also beneficial for you because you’ll have peace of mind that your cat or kitten is a healthy pet.” All cats and kittens adopted from Cats Protection are health-checked, wormed, vaccinated against cat flu and enteritis, neutered where appropriate and come with a free period of pet insurance. This year Cats Protection’s cat care assistants - who help look after cats like Daffan and Dill at Bridgend Adoption Centre - are being funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised £404 million to-date for similar good causes. n Visit www.cats.org.uk
www.rhodesminnis.co.uk
Jessie F15-16
Gizmo M2
Banksy M4-5
Aslan M6-7
Kicia F5
Millie Moo F14
Smudge F3-4
Blue M10
We advise a quiet and calm home with a garden, where she can do her own thing to live out the rest of her golden years.
He is a very friendly, playful boy who loves being brushed but he can be unpredictable.
He is a little shy at first but once he knows you are not going to hurt him, he laps up all the attention.
We believe he would suit somewhere like a farm where he can do his own thing but still have the comfort of a warm home.
She is beautiful girl who loves her food but as some would say, a typical naughty Tortie.
She is a sweet, friendly cat although a little timid. We have been told that she is fine with other cats but not dogs.
Smudge is a nervous girl who is a bit scatty and not too keen on being picked up. To be homed with Blue.
He has only ever been an indoor cat. He is close to Smudge and they must be homed together.
Woodland Animal Sanctuary
Dice & Domino M8 They are hoping to find their new forever home together!
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www.woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org.uk
Cats Protection
www.cats.org.uk
Pearl F2
Charlie & Elvis M9
Tilly F8 mths
Ginger M6-8mths
Alfie M5
Freddie M13
She is now neutered and ready to find her forever home! Pearl is a playful young cat who is super affectionate!
They are only just being able to find their forever home due to them both being diagnosed with heart murmurs and Charlie recovering from reoccurring cystitis.
She is a really sweet kitten but is very timid, so would need a patient and understanding home. She enjoys cuddles.
He loves to play with his toys, and has lots of energy, as you would expect of a young kitten.
Alfie is a large chunky boy with a loveable character. He is very friendly and chatty and loves to have lots of fuss.
A handsome and very affectionate cat with lots of character who is looking for a peaceful retirement home.
28 APRIL – 28 MAY 2019 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE
www.rescueandanimalcare.com
Photo Credits: Cats Protection’s Sue Dobbs.
Two critically ill kittens illustrate the dangers of buying online, warns cat charity