Wanted – kitten cuddlers at Animals In Need

Animals In Need (AIN) are seeking people who can spend a few weeks helping to socialise a semi-feral kitten or two in their own homes.

The charity has been overwhelmed by the number of requests to take in feral and semi-feral kittens lately and as unpaid volunteers, they do not have enough hours in a day to socialise them all.

The kittens are not aggressive, but they are scared and unused to humans and would benefit from one-to-one interactions so that they can learn to trust people.

Kittens usually settle down quite quickly once they know that you are not going to hurt them and it is very rewarding to watch them relax and begin to enjoy human company.

Kitten ‘taming’ involves patience, interactive games and then plenty of cuddles when the kitten is ready.

AIN will supply kitten food and treats, toys, a litter tray and cat litter and vet care if necessary.

Fosterers need to offer plenty of TLC and will see their work pay off when those kittens find wonderful homes where they can live as part of a family.

Please send a PM to AIN’s social media or WhatsApp 087 7644420 if you are interested in helping.

AIN is appealing to the public to be proactive. If there are homeless kittens living near you, please get them used to being around people as early as possible.

There has been a surge in demand for humane cat traps this year, to the extent that AIN is finding it hard to keep up with the requests.

Some vets will lend their cat traps to the public, and this is worth checking.

One of AIN’s supporters noticed that the charity had waiting lists for the cat traps and generously donated three new traps, for which the charity was very grateful. The new traps were all lent out immediately, and the first cat was caught and taken to the vets to be neutered that very day, which is fantastic.

The AIN volunteers are busy with vet visits, including taking little black kitten Tiana for a post-surgery check following a leg amputation and surgery for a broken jaw.

Tiana had the jaw fixation stitching removed and the vet was very pleased with her overall healing progress.

AIN rescued a sick cat during the week, who was thought to be pregnant. However, when Daisy the cat was examined by a vet, she was found to have pyometra instead.

Pyometra is a life-threatening, pus-filled uterine infection that can affect unspayed dogs and cats. Left untreated, it can prove fatal.

Thankfully, Daisy’s luck has changed. She had emergency surgery and the man who originally contacted AIN after finding her, has taken Daisy in and is providing a loving home for her after the emergency surgery.

Blind kitten Bobby has had his pre-surgical check and is booked in for his eye operation this week. Bobby was born with a condition where his eyes did not develop and his eyelashes are turned inwards, which must be very uncomfortable.

The dog rescuers are busy as usual.

The number of lost and found dogs recently is ridiculous. AIN is appealing to people to make sure their dog is secure and under their control at all times.

Three lucky dogs that had received their Pet Passports were able to move to their new homes in the UK last week. Originally, the dogs were due to set off on Thursday, with their transport booked for that day, but as it was to be an exceptionally hot day, their trip was postponed until Friday, when it was cooler. It would have been far too stressful for the dogs to be inside a hot van in such high temperatures.

The dogs arrived safely and are now starting their new lives.

AIN rescued three rabbits and two guinea pigs this week.

Rabbits Bert and Ernie are still available. They are one-year-old neutered boys. As they are fairly skittish, they will need someone who is willing to work with them to help them settle.

AIN has dozens of kittens available, including five-month-old siblings Jess, Theo and Freddie.

All three kittens are stunners, and the advantage of adopting a slightly older kitten is that they have been spayed/neutered and have settled into their personalities.

If you are interested in adopting any of the above animals, please contact AIN for further information.

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.