It’s the busiest time of the year for animal welfare charities concerned with the care of cats, with April through to Autumn being the height of ‘kitten season’.
This year, Newry’s USPCA have their hands full with 72 “poorly” kittens currently under the watchful eyes and caring hands of their “small but mighty” team.
On National Kitten Day (July 10) the charity explained that they have so far taken in 164 “vulnerable, sick and abandoned” kittens and cats since the start of the season.
And they continue to tend to hundreds of wildlife rescues every month.
In a statement regarding the 72 little felines currently needing care, they said: “The little faces of kittens that will no longer have to suffer.
“Our dedicated staff and foster volunteers are working around the clock, bottle-feeding, monitoring, and doing everything humanly possible to give these babies a chance to thrive and be loved.”
Kittens of all ages are finding themselves in the care of USPCA
The charity – which receives zero government funding – took the opportunity to ask for some much-needed public support to help provide “full bellies, warm beds, and second chances”.
Providing a breakdown of costs, they said: “£30 feeds a 5-week-old kitten for one week, £60 covers one week of vet care, £300 pays for critical eye surgery.
“Your support means that when poorly kittens arrive with us, our veterinary and animal care teams can take action straight away to treat, rehabilitate and find homes for these little ones.
“If you’re looking for the most impactful way to help, giving monthly provides a reliable baseline that keeps our vital work running through thick and thin!”
They shared the story of ‘Olivia’, a kitten found trapped beside a fast-moving dual carriageway “terrified and injured” near Newry.
‘Olivia’ before and after
“She arrived to us in a state that broke our hearts,” said USPCA. “She was bleeding from her eyes and the initial fear was head trauma from a collision.
“Yet, as we treated her, our Vet discovered that Olivia’s main injuries were a cluster of cuts directly over her eyes.
“We might not have a definitive answer to what Olivia endured before she found us, but we do know how her story ends.
“Thanks to the quick action of our team and a lot of patience with her eye medication, Olivia has made a successful recovery. The physical scars are gone, and her beautiful personality is charming us all.”
You can make a donation to USPCA here.
