Staff at the SPCA are having kittens at the number of felines to arrive at the shelter.

During April and May, an influx of more than 50 kittens swelled the cat population to more than 100. Dozens have since been rehomed but staff say the sheer numbers have been a cat-astrophe for their laundry department. They are now appealing to residents and businesses for help.

Apart from donations of cat litter and food, what is most needed is an industrial-sized drier and a washing machine to expand the facilities and assist in ensuring the animals have clean bedding.

Staff at the SPCA are having kittens at the number of felines to arrive at the shelter.

During April and May, an influx of more than 50 kittens swelled the cat population to more than 100. Dozens have since been rehomed but staff say the sheer numbers have been a cat-astrophe for their laundry department. They are now appealing to residents and businesses for help.

Apart from donations of cat litter and food, what is most needed is an industrial-sized drier and a washing machine to expand the facilities and assist in ensuring the animals have clean bedding.

Kennel administrator Jodi Corbett said: “We keep a clean cage and the cats’ linen is changed every day. They are all well looked after. But it’s been non-stop, we’re rushed off our feet at the moment.”

She said: “It’s been a particularly heavy kitten season for us, more so than other years.”

The shelter currently has 40 adult cats and 25 kittens looking for a loving home.

Mrs. Corbett said: “The kittens are all different colours and range from about six to 12 weeks old. We make sure they have a health check and have been tested for feline leukaemia and feline AIDS, and that they are dewormed and vaccinated.

“Cats are good companions and easy to maintain. They are also good therapy as they help people relax, and they all have their individual characters.”

She urged people to “take responsibility” in ensuring their pets were spayed or neutered, so as to reduce the number of unwanted kittens on the Island.

“These cats have come from domestic litters so people are not spaying and neutering,” said Mrs. Corbett.

“We would encourage people to take responsibility for the animals they own, and by that we mean taking the animals to the vet and getting them either spayed (females) or neutered (males).”

She added: ‘Sometimes we may be able to help people with the costs, particularly the elderly, if they have a cat that needs helping.”

By Amanda Dale The Royal Gazette