I’m not just for Christmas…
How many times have you seen the RSPCA advert that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas? Cats are the same, the life expectancy of a cat is 20 years plus, so the cute fluffy kitten that you see on social media or better still in a rescue such as with us at Cheshire Cats Rescue will grow up!!
After puppies, kittens are the next favourite/ popular Christmas present. However, kittens aren’t toys or disposable, the amount of kittens returned to shelters after the Christmas novelty has worn off would shock you.
Rescues are full to bursting; the cost of living crisis has affected us in huge ways from the cost of food and litter to the astronomical costs of using the vet.
During months of January and February the strain on rescues increases 100% with people handing over kittens they got for their children or family members for Xmas. Many of these “gifts” are simply unwanted; many are far too young to have left their mums and are sick, in some cases are actually dying by the time rescues are able to get them treatment.
Before getting a cat for a present ask yourselves, do you have time to spend with a young vulnerable kitten, have you researched the “seller”, (remember Lucy’s Law makes it illegal for the sale of kittens), is the kitten vet checked, flead and wormed, are they vaccinated and microchipped as an absolute minimum?
Does the kitten appear lively, playful? If not, that’s a warning sign. Kittens should be lively and mischievous.
If you are not absolutely sure then please don’t buy a kitten for your family, instead why not help your local rescue – you can offer your time, food, litter, a small donation etc. They would appreciate any support in preparation for the onslaught of unwanted gifts after Christmas.
#adoptdontshop, #neuteryourcat,
photos by: Sarah Jane King Photography
An important post. I hope lots of your followers read it.
It’s so sad how many cats and kittens are given up quickly after the “fun” of them have worn off. Our beautiful girl was a rescue cat who was given up not long after Christmas.
A very important post, and this applies more or less to all pets.
A very important post same for puppies !
We love cats but I think they are a big responsibilty so we haven’t had any now for a few years
It makes me so angry and says a lot about a person if they do that. We have four cats who are a huge part of our family, we love them so so much, I just don’t understand how anyone can dispose of them just because they aren’t kittens anymore
It makes me angry the way many people treat animals. Buy them and discard them with no thought to the welfare of the animal
Any pets I have, always become family members, interesting, and sometimes sad, information given above.