Listeners fix feline famine

Radio station The Breeze leaped into action to avert kitten starvation at Hamilton's SPCA.

Breakfast host Dave Grove heard that the Hamilton animal rescue organisation was down to its last one or two days of kitten food.

A Kitty Can Appeal to listeners and businesses generated an enormous amount of cat and kitten food - certainly enough to stave off the immediate dietry dilemma.

Feline food was donated from individuals and supermarkets from Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Matamata and Ngaruawahia.

SPCA part-time administrator Kim Conchie said a long, hot, dry summer was the reason for an extended kitten season which had overwhelmed the animal shelter.

"Usually stray cats have two litters each year. Our summer meant many of the cats had three litters, paving the way for more homeless kittens coming our way.

"Our usual suppliers, including our regular supporter Kills Science Diet, were unable to cope with the increased demand."

Kim was grateful for Dave Grove and The Breeze listeners taking the pressure off kitten feeding in the short term, at least.

The Kitty Can Appeal generated more than 250 items - enough to feed stray kittens at the SPCA for two months.