A tortoiseshell-and-white cat and her tiny kitten who were found on a farm in Bridgend are just two of thousands of cats left behind by life who will spend Christmas in a charity’s pens and foster homes, hoping the new year heralds a brighter future.
Cats Protection is highlighting 12 Strays of Christmas who are in need of new homes to raise awareness of the plight of almost 5,100 stray cats taken into its care over the past year. This is in addition to the many more cats who, through no fault of their own, have been given up or abandoned.
Cinders was around four weeks old when she was identified as a stray alongside her two-year-old mother Cassie and a kind member of the public rushed the pair to Cats Protection Wales Cat Centre on Pant Hirwaun.
Cassie, who was underweight and grubby herself, had been struggling to look after her little one and although she had done her best in cold, punishing circumstances, Cinders was very dishevelled and undernourished when she arrived at the centre and had to be admitted directly to the vets where she was also found to be suffering with worms.
Rose Fairlie, Deputy Manager at Wales Cat Centre says: “After a few intense weeks of TLC during which Cinders received regular veterinary treatment as well as a good diet and close care, she is now on the road to a full recovery. Having had her beautiful coat cleaned and brushed, she is looking so different now and along with Cassie, who is also thriving after plenty of care, both will be ready to find new homes in the coming weeks.”
The number of strays taken in by Cats Protection makes for grim reading, with over 1,450 admitted over a 12-month period in Wales and South West England with Wales Cat Centre alone taking in 127 this year to-date. But these are the lucky ones who, like Cinders and Cassie, have been given a second chance at life.
Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection Central Behaviour Officer, said: “Over 12 months, our teams took in over 26,000 cats who have been left behind by life, including nearly 5,100 strays. So we’re asking people to think about what they can do to make life better for cats like these. Because life is better with cats.
“These cats can’t know why they’ve been discarded, can’t tell us how they feel about being abandoned. But we can be there for them. We can listen and show we care until the tough times pass, and we can speak up for them.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation, large or small, could help Cinders, Cassie and their fellow cats in care at Wales Cat Centre by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/wales-cat-centre-cinders
