Latest news with #kittens
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.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Miami-Dade animal services pleads for kitten fosters amid surge in newborns, overcrowding
Dozens of newborn kittens in need of homes Dozens of newborn kittens in need of homes Dozens of newborn kittens in need of homes Miami-Dade Animal Services is issuing an urgent call for foster volunteers as the shelter faces a summer surge of newborn kittens and overcrowding among dogs. "These kittens require around-the-clock care," said Gabriella Dominguez, public information officer for Animal Services. "If we can't find a foster family, then they have to be humanely euthanized at the end of the day because we can't just let them starve overnight while nobody is here to take care of them." Fostering makes a life-saving difference Volunteer Stephen Dsida is one of the people answering the call. He began volunteering seven weeks ago, originally hoping to adopt or foster puppies. Instead, he ended up walking dogs and fostering an entire feline family. "I was able to foster a family of six cats, five of whom are kittens," said Dsida. "That's been very rewarding, very challenging. They've turned my house inside out, but in a good way." Neonate kittens, defined as less than 40 days old, are the most vulnerable. They need feeding every two to three hours and a warm environment to survive a substitute for their mother's care. The shelter sees the largest influx of kittens during the summer breeding months, part of a larger national overpopulation crisis. "The best chances for survival with these kittens is to stay with their mother," Dominguez explained. "So truthfully, the only reason you should bring them in is if you can confirm that the mother has passed away." Shelter overcrowded and under-resourced In addition to the surge in kittens, the shelter is severely overcrowded with dogs. Currently, there are about 550 dogs in care, 200 over its ideal capacity of 350. At the Medley location, over 100 dogs are being housed in a facility with no air conditioning, making conditions even more challenging. With limited space and resources, shelter staff members are often taking the tiniest kittens home themselves when fosters can't be found. Community service and emotional support For Dsida, fostering has become more than just volunteer work, it's been emotionally fulfilling. "I think it's a very rewarding experience for people who may not even think they need emotional support," he said. "It's very helpful to get through the day, maybe some tough situations." High school and college students who foster can also receive community service hours. Those interested in fostering can email asdfoster@ or visit for more information.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Kittens born in South Jersey could have been exposed to rabies, health officials warn
Health officials in South Jersey are warning that a litter of kittens from Port Norris could have been exposed to rabies. The Cumberland County Department of Health said on June 13 that the kittens came from North Avenue near Main Street, and at least one of the animals has tested positive for rabies. Other kittens from the same litter have already been taken home by people in the community, so anyone who recently got a kitten from the North Avenue area is asked to contact the health department. The kittens and any other animals they came in contact with might need to be monitored for rabies, the department of the health said. Humans who spent time around the cats should also be checked for symptoms of rabies exposure. To protect the animals and people in your home, the health department recommends keeping pets vaccinated, avoiding contact with wild or stray animals, reporting bites and scratches and getting medical help right away if you think you've been exposed. Here's a look at some of the symptoms of rabies in cats and dogs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals: Symptoms of rabies in cats Agitation, nervousness and irritability Muscle spams that prevent swallowing Excessive saliva Paralysis Symptoms of rabies in dogs Agitation, nervousness and irritability Aggression, becoming highly excitable Signs of depraved appetite (eating and chewing stones, trash, etc.) Paralysis, distortion of the face and difficulty swallowing Symptoms of rabies in humans, according to the CDC Weakness, discomfort, fever or headache Itching at the site of the bite Anxiety, confusion, insomnia, delirium Hallucinations Fear of water Seizures
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Influx of kittens prompts plea to neuter cats
An animal rescue charity is urging people to neuter their cats because of a rise in the number of kittens needing rehoming. Suffolk Animal Rescue, which is based in Stowmarket, said they had been inundated with kittens and have had to make an urgent appeal for donations to fund food and medication. Staff say the most concerning aspects are the risk of an immunodeficiency virus and the number of pregnant kittens they are dealing with. Emma Floyd, a kennel maid for the charity, said: "People that let their female cats out too soon are running at a high risk of their cat becoming pregnant." The Suffolk based charity specialises in taking in feral cats and "taming them". They said it was becoming "extremely concerning" after they started to see kittens having their own babies. Ms Floyd, who lives in Pettistree, said: "I think last year we were around the 50-kitten mark. "It takes a long time getting through the kittens and mums. It is not just the care, but it is the medication." Due to the influx of kittens arriving at the rehoming centre, the charity said they had been working to maximise space. "It is thinking about if we have older kittens who can move on to the older area, it frees up our spaces," Ms Floyd added. She raised concerns about domestic cats not being neutered and also contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). According to the RSPCA, FIV is a viral infection that results in cats having a weakened immune system. Ms Floyd said people could be "running a high risk" of their cat mating with an FIV-positive tom if they are not neutered. "There are so many schemes set up for people to get help with neutering their cat," she added. An online wishlist was set up by the rescue centre after it "went through supplies at a very fast pace". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'We've been rescuing and rehoming cats for 100 years' Animal shelter that was set to close could stay open 'We're rehoming more dogs due to cost of living' Suffolk Animal Rescue
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Stowmarket animal charity urges owners to neuter cats
An animal rescue charity is urging people to neuter their cats because of a rise in the number of kittens needing Animal Rescue, which is based in Stowmarket, said they had been inundated with kittens and have had to make an urgent appeal for donations to fund food and say the most concerning aspects are the risk of an immunodeficiency virus and the number of pregnant kittens they are dealing Floyd, a kennel maid for the charity, said: "People that let their female cats out too soon are running at a high risk of their cat becoming pregnant." The Suffolk based charity specialises in taking in feral cats and "taming them". They said it was becoming "extremely concerning" after they started to see kittens having their own babies. Ms Floyd, who lives in Pettistree, said: "I think last year we were around the 50-kitten mark."It takes a long time getting through the kittens and mums. It is not just the care, but it is the medication."Due to the influx of kittens arriving at the rehoming centre, the charity said they had been working to maximise space."It is thinking about if we have older kittens who can move on to the older area, it frees up our spaces," Ms Floyd added. She raised concerns about domestic cats not being neutered and also contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).According to the RSPCA, FIV is a viral infection that results in cats having a weakened immune Floyd said people could be "running a high risk" of their cat mating with an FIV-positive tom if they are not neutered. "There are so many schemes set up for people to get help with neutering their cat," she online wishlist was set up by the rescue centre after it "went through supplies at a very fast pace". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
