We are appealing for foster carers to look after pregnant cats and newborn kittens this Mother’s Day.
Our Central and North East London Branch picks up thousands of cats a year and is in need of people to come forward and help care for the most vulnerable.
The branch has 32 ‘pods’ which can be used by between one to four cats, they also have some trusted foster families who can take cats in to give them a more stable environment.
The pods are full nearly all year round. In 2013, 1,465 animals came through the doors of the centre of which 739 were cats and 541 were kittens under six-months-old.
So far this year the centre has taken in 358 animals of which 231 are cats and 93 are kittens.
“Our branch is always desperate for foster carers in the area, particularly people who have time on their hands and could foster pregnant mums and newborns.
“We are only right at the beginning of the kitten season and we are already bringing in so many.
“We are not expecting this summer to be any different from the last which was extremely busy.
“Foster homes really do give the kittens a much better start in life.
“Not only does it mean they are away from the cattery which is less stressful for them and also means they are less prone to catching infections.
Hayley also stresses the importance of neutering animals and that stray cats can be neutered for free.
One of the cats taken in, Katie, gave birth to two male and two female kittens on March 12. She is currently living with foster carers but will be up for rehoming once she has finished weaning her kittens in around seven weeks time.
Katie was bought in by an Animal Welfare Officer after being found in a garden in Camden. It was suspected that she was abandoned due to being heavily pregnant.
If you think you could provide a foster home for cats in need visit our foster page to find out more about what it involves or contact the Central and North East London Branch.
If you would like to help the RSPCA, please donate online or text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).
Region: National.Tags: Cat, fostering, kittens, london, mothers day, newborn, pregnant, rehome.