Busy week at Animals In Need with newborn kittens and eight dogs rescued
The volunteers at the Donegal animal rescue charity had their hands full
Animals In Need (AIN) has a large number of cat families in their care at the moment.
The latest mother cat is a black and white cat called Vic, who was caught as part of a Trap/Neuter/Return programme last week. However, when she was caught, Vic was found to be heavily pregnant. As a feral cat, keeping Vic indoors is not ideal, but it was the best way to keep her and her babies safe.
Vic went into labour on Saturday and gave birth to five kittens. It is fascinating, but also quite sad, to witness a feral cat giving birth.
There is a big difference in behaviour between a pet cat and a feral cat at this time.
A pet cat tends to like soft blankets or an equally comfortable place to have her kittens, but a feral cat is on guard even during the birth.
Although blankets were provided, Vic moved anything that was soft, comfortable and absorbent out of the area and constantly cleaned the area where she gave birth so that it was left spotless.
This makes sense as in the wild, blood stains can attract predators, and Vic was making sure that she reduced any potential danger.
Pet cats don't have to worry about that. They know that they are safe, and mess makes no difference to them.
Two days on, Vic has quickly settled into motherhood and her five kittens are doing well.
Vic is still refusing to use a blanket or even to allow puppy pads in her crate, but she has finally permitted a square of carpet to be placed in her sleeping area and along with the heat lamp, the cat family are warm and comfortable.
It has been a busy week for cat rescues, with six new arrivals, including the return of a failed adoption, plus Vic’s five kittens.
A small kitten was found sitting in the middle of the road in the pouring rain on Monday.
She is only around five weeks old and was freezing cold, soaking wet and crawling with fleas.
The kitten is now safe and warm and has been treated for parasites. Hopefully she will make a full recovery.
Four cats are due to be neutered at the vets this week, including mother cats Leia and Princess Belle, whose kittens are now weaned.
There is good news regarding Daphne, a kitten found last week in a field; cold, wet, starving and covered in mud.
Her recovery started off slowly. She was quiet and did not move around much for most of the first week, but within five days she started to liven up and by day eight she was running around, playing and acting like a healthy kitten of her age should do, which is a great relief to all at AIN.
Meanwhile, AIN’s dog rescuers and fosterers continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Another eight dogs were taken from the Letterkenny Dog Shelter (Pound) on Saturday.
Six of the dogs went into foster care at AIN and two dogs were transported to another animal rescue.
The dogs were delighted to be rescued, especially a large collie called Rusty, who seemed to say thank you to AIN’s driver.
Stray dogs who are taken to the Letterkenny Dog Shelter have five days in which to be reclaimed by their owners, after which they can be rehomed directly from the Shelter or transferred to animal rescues for rehoming.
Sadly, many of the dogs that end up in the Pound are unclaimed and need new homes.
The dogs rescued by AIN at the weekend had been in the Pound for some time and no-one had come forward to claim them.
Once the dogs have been assessed, given any veterinary treatment that is required, vaccinated, treated for parasites and neutered if necessary, they will be found fantastic homes where they will be appreciated and loved.
AIN has many animals ready for adoption. There is a rehoming album on their Facebook page, showing available animals, and further information on adoption can be obtained by contacting AIN directly.
For further information on adoption, fostering, volunteering etc., please contact the main helpline on 087 1356188. For cat/kitten enquiries please call 087 7644420. Animals In Need Donegal is also on Facebook and has a website at http://www.animalsinneeddonegal.com
Follow Donegallive.ie for coverage of news, sport and events across Donegal