These kittens were discovered inside a box that was sticky-taped closed and left at a vacant St Albans home. 86870 Picture: MATHEW LYNN
By ALESHA CAPONE
TWO cases of animal cruelty in Brimbank have shocked members of a cat rescue group.
President of the not-for-profit Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue Inc (WSCKRI) Nathan Miles described the two separate incidents as “shockingly cruel”.
Last Wednesday a box was sticky-taped shut and abandoned at a vacant rental home’s garden shed in St Albans.
The property owner discovered five eight-week-old kittens trapped inside the box.
The owner delivered them to the St Albans Veterinary Clinic, which treats all WSCKRI animals.
“They are now in our care, and have been vet checked and vaccinated they will be de-sexed this week then go up for adoption,” Mr Miles said.
He said the kittens were in good health when they were rescued apart from being slightly dehydrated.
“They’ve clearly been socialised with people and they’re not wild and they’ve evidently grown up in someone’s house,” he said.
The second case of cat cruelty also occurred in St Albans.
Volunteers from WSCKRI collected several unwanted cats from a woman’s home and noticed one heavily-pregnant feline which appeared to have a missing eye.
The cat’s eye had rotted away and left a cavity in her skull.
“I just think about how much the poor thing would have suffered,” Mr Miles said.
The young cat is now being looked after by a foster carer but will be de-sexed and put up for adoption once she gives birth.
Mr Miles said WSCKRI was advocating for the State Government to make cat de-sexing mandatory except for licensed breeders.
According to the Cat Protection Society of Victoria, the state’s shelters receive more than 53,000 cats every year and more than 35,000 are put to sleep.
“It disappoints me that extreme cruelty to cats continues to happen,” Mr Miles said.
“There are so many kittens and cats out there which get dumped it’s ridiculous.
“People not de-sexing their cats is a big contributor and we don’t know why they don’t do it when there are so many options available.”
Mr Miles said WSCKRI always appreciated donations of cat food or litter. Anyone wanting to adopt, rehome or who needs help rescuing a cat can contact him on 0400 988 931.
