Animal rescuers are urging the public to be wary of free kittens, which are often not desexed and go on to have more litters.
Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue has rescued almost 100 abandoned kittens in the local area alone last year, some as young as four-months-old were pregnant.
Volunteer Brenda Guy said in the last week there have been five cases of dumped animals. She said cats dumped in the bush had a high mortality rate, while the ones that did survive became feral and preyed on the wildlife.
“A very small minority of free re-homed kittens go on to be desexed and they are very prolific breeders,” she said.
“So that one litter that is given away can compound the problem.
“The value of kittens has greatly decreased in the eyes of the public. They become a very disposable item because they become so easy to pick up for free.”
While the organisation has been able to double its adoption rate with the help of PETstock, Ms Guy said the number of unwanted kittens is the worst she has ever seen and rescue organisations are not coping with demand.
“We will always be open for extreme emergencies but we are absolutely pushed to our limits,” she said.
Ms Guy recommended pet owners have the necessary vet work done such as desexing kittens, which was often covered at a lower rate in an adoption fee.
“Having that vet work done takes all that worry away and takes away the risk,” she said.
And for those still wanting to dump their kittens, Ms Guy urged them to do it at a place where they would receive some care.
“If people don’t want to physically hand the kittens over and wear that guilt, there are a lot safer places to leave them than the bush such as in a cardboard box on the doorstep of a veterinary practice, PETstock or RSPCA,” she said.
Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue has rescued almost 100 abandoned kittens in the local area alone last year, some as young as four-months-old were pregnant.
Volunteer Brenda Guy said in the last week there have been five cases of dumped animals. She said cats dumped in the bush had a high mortality rate, while the ones that did survive became feral and preyed on the wildlife.
“A very small minority of free re-homed kittens go on to be desexed and they are very prolific breeders,” she said.
“So that one litter that is given away can compound the problem.
“The value of kittens has greatly decreased in the eyes of the public. They become a very disposable item because they become so easy to pick up for free.”
While the organisation has been able to double its adoption rate with the help of PETstock, Ms Guy said the number of unwanted kittens is the worst she has ever seen and rescue organisations are not coping with demand.
“We will always be open for extreme emergencies but we are absolutely pushed to our limits,” she said.
Ms Guy recommended pet owners have the necessary vet work done such as desexing kittens, which was often covered at a lower rate in an adoption fee.
“Having that vet work done takes all that worry away and takes away the risk,” she said.
And for those still wanting to dump their kittens, Ms Guy urged them to do it at a place where they would receive some care.
“If people don’t want to physically hand the kittens over and wear that guilt, there are a lot safer places to leave them than the bush such as in a cardboard box on the doorstep of a veterinary practice, PETstock or RSPCA,” she said.
Every day should be a day to hug a cat if you listen to these feline friends.
Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue was making sure anyone who wanted a cat cuddle at the weekend could get one in their cat run at PetStock, LaTrobe Street.
Sunday marked International Hug a Cat Day but Chez Guy’s Brenda Guy said they are the purrfect companion to brighten any day.
“Cats are therapeutic, calming and show love unconditional – they don’t judge,” Ms Guy said. “You can talk to them and tell them all your worries and concerns.”
International Hug a Cat Day is about saying thanks to felines. It encourages non-cat owners who enjoy cat videos to find a cat to hug or to volunteer in a shelter for a day.
Chez Guy works with volunteers to foster cats and kittens seeking adoption.
The group has had more than 100 rescue cats adopted the past 12 months from a partnership with PetStock Ballarat. Ms Guy said kittens were always popular but older people tended to like adult companion cats.
Chez Guy Small Animal Rescue was making sure anyone who wanted a cat cuddle at the weekend could get one in their cat run at PetStock, LaTrobe Street.
Sunday marked International Hug a Cat Day but Chez Guy’s Brenda Guy said they are the purrfect companion to brighten any day.
“Cats are therapeutic, calming and show love unconditional – they don’t judge,” Ms Guy said. “You can talk to them and tell them all your worries and concerns.”
International Hug a Cat Day is about saying thanks to felines. It encourages non-cat owners who enjoy cat videos to find a cat to hug or to volunteer in a shelter for a day.
Chez Guy works with volunteers to foster cats and kittens seeking adoption.
The group has had more than 100 rescue cats adopted the past 12 months from a partnership with PetStock Ballarat. Ms Guy said kittens were always popular but older people tended to like adult companion cats.