Most of you know that my official work title is “Cattery Manager” of Freshfields Animal Rescue (North Wales Branch) Though most of the time with only 3 cattery staff I feel like a general dogsbody, but this week was different….and I’ve had a horrible week!
Last year 4 semi-feral kittens came into the rescue centre. A white male was quickly re-homed but his black brothers and dark tortie sister where proving to be harder to rehome. As they turned 6 months they where neutered and moved from the kitten unit into the main cattery. From then on their characters really improved. I suppose they where seeing so much more and having the contact necessary to help them on their way through life. That’s when Felix arrived, he was a lovely chap and was put into the pen next door to them. Within a week Felix had gone down with flu and of course the babies got it. By now christened Fitz and Freddie they boys where much worse than tortie Jenny: within days she was back o her feet causing chaos and was lucky to find a loving home. Fitz also recovered quickly but little Freddie was struggling. The antibiotics prescribed by the vet help and he showed some improvement.
That was 2 months ago. Yesterday Freddie was put to sleep. I have struggled and cried and prayed that little man would find some strength to survive but yesterday I had to make the decision that it was time to say goodbye to little Freddie. His Kidney where failing and there was some liver damage, he had become jaundiced and the flu like symptoms had returned. The little man no longer had the quality of life he deserved , he was loosing the battle and I had to help him. Today I’m gutted! Freddie never had the chance of a normal life, he lived within the confines of a cattery. He never felt the sunshine on his coat, he never caught a mouse and never sat on anyone’s lap in front of a fire. But little Freddie was loved and he has left a lasting impression on my heart.
So why are you reading this here? Why Not? It has helped me to write it down and if it makes one person do the right thing then I’ve achieved something in the memory of little Freddie. Think about it: Get your female cats spayed and please god neuter the males. After all think of all those litters one male can sire in a year. (and of course FIV-The Feline Aids Virus is now prevalent) All those little kittens, do they deserve to spend their lives as “unwanted” in a rescue cattery or worse still scavenging through bins to feed their own by now unwanted feral kittens?
In one year we have hundreds of cats and kittens at Freshfields, varying in ages from 6 days to 16 years. Can we not all as animal lovers do our bit to try and improve the situation and give cats like Fitz who is still “Waiting,” but now alone, the chance of a perfect life!written in 2006
