Latest news with #LorraineThornton
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Kittens found in taped-up box in Gateshead woods 'need their mum'
It would "be a miracle" if four kittens found in a taped-up box in woodland survive without their mother, a charity has owner of the cat and the abandoned kittens, which were found by a dog walker in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, on Wednesday, has been urged to come was found dead while the other three were badly injured, with bite marks and puncture in the care of Pawz for Thought, the charity said it believed the animals were no more than a day old when they were left and wanted them to be reunited with their mum to better their chances of survival. Lorraine Thornton, a volunteer for the charity, said she did not believe the kittens were ever meant to be found."Without mum they just die very quickly, but I don't understand the point of leaving them in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere," Ms Thornton said."They weren't meant to be found, they were disregarded like rubbish and dumped." Ms Thornton said the Sunderland-based charity had seen a significant increase in the number of kittens being currently has 23 young kittens living in her house, because they need to be bottle fed every two hours."It's an exhausting strain," she said. "For the kittens, the best thing has always been with mum, they don't have such a good chance with me."The charity put out an appeal to the person who dumped the kittens to come forward."If we could get that cat, she could raise her could neuter her and return her to the owner, neutered free of charge," Ms Thornton said."It's a miracle that somebody found them and it'll be another miracle if they actually survive the trauma that they've been through. "Obviously we always try and we always give everything we have, but it's not a guarantee." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Sunderland charity warns rise in animals being shot
The rise in the number of animals being shot is "absolutely horrific", a charity has for Thought in Sunderland said there was a "growing trend" of birds in particular being hit and killed by air rifles and catapults in the and pigeons were the most commonly injured, but volunteer Lorraine Thornton said the charity had also dealt with RSPCA said it had seen a 23% year-on-year increase in reports of animals being targeted by weapons and that it was "likely only the tip of the iceberg". About a month ago, a stray cat who had a pellet lodged next to his lung was brought in to the charity."So it's not just the wildlife - they shoot people's pets," Ms Thornton said."People are shocked when it's a cat, but the don't seem as shocked when it's a pigeon or a seagull." 'Growing trend' The cat, called Jonny, survived the shooting but will live with the pellet inside him for the rest of his charity has also responded to starlings being shot during nesting season, which Ms Thornton described as "heartbreaking"."There's been multiple incidents and it seems to be a growing trend," she lead wildlife officer Geoff Edmond said: "It's totally unacceptable to shoot animals for 'fun' - or to harm them for target practice."And unfortunately, what we are seeing is likely only the tip of the iceberg."The charity said the number of animals being targeted by weapons rose from 300 in 2022, to 370 in Edmond added the charity was "concerned" shooting animals might have "wider implications for public safety" and was keen to work closely with local communities to tackle it."It's absolutely horrific for us. It's just the devastation," Ms Thornton said."They have no respect for the animals." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
