Worried Over Fate Of Cats, Kittens

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 26

Worried Over Fate Of Cats, Kittens

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, April 28. The Waikato S.P.C.A. is worried about the fate of unwanted cats and kittens now it is no longer able to make arrangements for their disposal.

Some weeks ago the society stopped taking responsibility for destroying or finding homes for the animals because of the retirement of its

inspector. At this stage the society was taking charge of about 1500 cats and kittens each year—most of which had to be destroyed—at the request of Hamilton residents. “My big worry now is wbat people are doing with their unwanted cats and kittens,” said the society’s secretary.

Mrs G. Garrick. “Far worse things can happen to an animal than a merciful death.” Mrs Garrick said only yesterday she received a report of four small kittens abandoned in a cardboard box on the roadside.

Since the society had ceased taking responsibility for cats and kittens there had been a respite in the number of calls for the society’s services.

“But now the calls are building up again and it looks as if they will soon be as numerous as ever,” said Mrs Garrick.

“Yesterday, for instance, I received five calls asking us to dispose of cats and kittens. This morning a woman telephoned to say she had eight partly-grown cats at her home which she wanted taken away.” In the past the society had taken animals off the owners’ hands but this service had now stopped. “In most cases, people make their own trouble because they won’t pay to have their cats treated by a vet,” said Mrs Garrick.

“The soceity has never placed a female cat in a home unless an assurance was received that the animal would be speyed,” she said.