Kitten season hits 'like H-bomb'

FIRST OF MANY: SPCA staff Debs Valois with one of the already increasing litters of dumped or unwanted kittens being handed over to the SPCA. Kitten season has hit the local shelter like an “H-bomb” say staff. They are expecting more than 200 kittens over the next few months due to stray and feral cats, and owners not desexing their animals. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

KITTEN season has hit Gisborne “like an H-bomb”, say SPCA staff.

Each year from the end of spring to mid-January the SPCA becomes one big kitten nursery.

Manager Robyn Toon said she had hoped the desexing programme the SPCA ran until January of this year, as well as the work by independent operators like Mutts and Moggies, would have made a difference in the number of unwanted kittens.

“Kitten season has hit us once again like an H-bomb. We already have many litters of kittens.”

The SPCA is stressing the need for pet owners to desex their animals.

“The massive over-population of cats in our community is a major drain on financial resources. There are simply not enough owners for the vast number of cats born.”

Ms Toon says the role of the SPCA, above all, is the prevention of cruelty to animals.

“Contrary to the sometimes damning local social media sites, the SPCA is not for the rehoming of stray, unowned or unwanted cats and dogs.

“Having said that, the majority of animals here are just that. Staff and volunteers are already working over and above the call of duty because of their love of animals. So please be mindful of this.

“When contacting the haven please refrain from making demands on our already overburdened volunteers.”

This year around 725 animals, including about 200 chickens, have been admitted to Gisborne SPCA. Ms Toon says they are expecting 200 more kittens over the coming months.

“If you find abandoned kittens please ring and staff will organise a time for them to be brought in. It may not be immediately but we will add your details to the list, and bring them in as soon as possible.”

Ms Toon says they are extremely grateful for the community’s help.

“All the donations from local people enable us to carry on," she said. "We would simply have to shut down without your help.”