By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MOTHER cats being dumped after birth is a story 2nd Chance Cat Rescue founder Daniela Maslen hears all too often.
On average the private cat rescue organisation will have 30 to 50 cats and kittens in foster care.
“We have a limit of 50 cats because we can’t afford to look after anymore if we aren’t selling them,” Ms Maslen said.
A cat from 2nd Chance Cat Rescue will cost $200 and means the organisation can continue to rescue stray, injured and dumped cats.
“We are keeping them for however long it takes to re-home them and I have to say no to more cats because I can’t afford to look after them and don’t have the space,” she said.
Ms Maslen spends $140 a fortnight on dry food alone.
“Because I have so many cats ready for adoption I have already invested all the money in them and can’t rescue anymore.”
All of the money raised through fundraisers and re-homing the cats goes towards food, kitty litter, medication, vet bills, de-sexing, micro-chipping and a giveaway adoption pack.
The team at 2nd Chance Cat Rescue held an adoption day on Saturday 11 April.
“We had quite a few people attend but we went home with all our kittens,” Ms Maslen said. Currently, 2nd Chance Cat Rescue has 36 cats and kittens looking for a home and another 15 newborns that will be added to their growing list.
“While shelters and pounds are re-homing older kittens and cats for free or at heavily discounted prices, as a private rescue we can’t follow this trend of giving a life away for free,” she said.
Ms Maslen said cat colonies are a growing problem that merely culling can’t fix.
“Culling the cats doesn’t help, you need to de-sex the animals and that’s where the problem stops, it’s a major problem in the City of Casey,” she said.
City of Casey community safety manager Caroline Bell said all cats need to be de-sexed and micro-chipped prior to registration under the Domestic Animals Act.
“In addition, landowners within Botanic Ridge are precluded from owning or keeping cats,” Ms Bell said.
The council, in conjunction with the Lost Dogs Home, runs reduced cost micro-chipping days twice a year but animal advocate Ms Maslen said: “The City of Casey gives people no incentive to de-sex cats apart from cheaper rates on micro-chipping.
“People who don’t de-sex will most likely not register the animal either. Responsible pet ownership should be a must,” Ms Maslen said.
“Kittens born in spring can have their own kitten in autumn.
“It’s horrendous that baby kittens can be pregnant and having babies themselves, and I see this all the time.
“Free de-sexing for cat owners or a discounted price for people that can’t afford it in Casey will stop the over population of cats in the area,” she said.
The team at 2nd Chance Cat Rescue will attend an adoption day on Saturday 9 May at 10am to 5pm at Best Friends Pet Care Super Centre in Mornington.
A raffle will be held on the day and hand-made cat themed cards will be available to buy.
