Alarm at increased number of abandoned kittens as DSPCA launch appeal for more foster families

The rate of increase in the number of abandoned kittens being found and presented to the DSPCA is being described as alarming by animal welfare experts at the charity with a 7% increase of baby kittens being presented on last year already.

Every year between March and September un-neutered cats start breeding at an alarming rate, leading to a massive spike in the cat population.

Last year saw just over 700 kittens luckily saved by the by the well known animal charity who are now calling for foster families to volunteer to look after some kittens for just a few weeks until they are ready to be vaccinated.

One positive trend seen by the DSPCA lately is they seen an increase of parents with young families volunteering to foster abandoned kittens.

Pictured at the launch of the kitten fostering campaign was DSPCA’s Linda Cheevers, Becky O’Kane and Nicola Gibbons with two week old kittens that were found abandoned in a box in South Dublin earlier this month.

Parents see fostering a way for them to give their kids some responsibility and also to teach them how precious life is and its usually just a temporary arrangement for just for two to six weeks until they are ready for vaccination at eight weeks of age.

DSPCA’s Becky O’Kane said “We always have has very generous older teams of fostering volunteers whose children have flown the nest but lately we’re finding many younger families who are willing to foster.

“Small kittens don’t take a lot of work, you just have to be gentle in handling such small animals.

“When people foster, not only are they saving lives and getting a feeling of fulfilment but they are also setting the kittens up for life where they can go on to a wonderful family where they’ll live out their lives happy and cared for.

“If you’d like to foster a kitten please check us out on out on www.dspca.ie”

DSPCA supporter Lottoland’s VP of Global Corporate Affairs, Laura Pearson said “We are always in awe at the immense work that the DSPCA carries out supporting thousands of innocent abandoned animals each year.

“We love supporting charities like this one and hope the public come onboard with them for their latest fostering appeal.”

To support the DSPCA play https://www.lottoland.ie/scratchcards/dspca