The RSPCA is caring for a mum cat and her kittens after the pregnant moggy was abandoned in a dirty cardboard box in a park in Roehampton.
A kind member of the public spotted her plight and brought the cat, now named Gracie, home where she gave birth to four kittens on June 6. They then contacted the RSPCA for help as the mum cat seemed poorly and one of the kittens was slow and unresponsive. Deputy Chief Inspector Natalie Kitchin took the cats for urgent care and attention at the RSPCA Finsbury Park Hospital in London.
Natalie said: “Sadly, this pregnant female cat had been abandoned in a park in a cardboard box. The member of the public did the right thing in bringing her home and taking her to a vet to scan for a microchip but unfortunately she wasn’t chipped. She gave birth to two kittens in their home but one of them seemed slow and weak so they contacted us for assistance. Gracie was then giving birth to the rest of her litter literally as I walked through the door!
“She’s a very sweet cat and I’m so glad she and her kittens are doing better now. Her story is sadly all too common, and we’re braced for an influx of cats and kittens coming into RSPCA care this kitten season. We urge owners to neuter their cats from four months old to avoid unplanned pregnancies which can put extra strain on charities like ourselves.”
There is a huge peak in cat breeding at this time of year, with the majority of kittens born between May and September. Sadly, as a result, unexpected litters of kittens often end up abandoned or given up and coming into rescue centres.
The charity recorded 27,853 incidents about cats in need last year (14,568 between May and September) and shockingly, of these reports 7,879 concerned abandoned cats. So far this year, the charity has already received nearly 3,000 reports of abandoned cats and they expect this to rise significantly as the breeding season gets underway.
The kittens, who are now three weeks old, have been named Shamu, Moby, Keiko, and Migaloo – all after famous whales. Gracie had some digestive issues and has been vomiting but is better now and the kittens are doing well. It is hoped they will be able to be moved from the hospital to an animal centre or branch soon for rehoming.
To help the RSPCA continue to rescue and care for cats and kittens in need, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give
