Cat Team Rescue Update

Over the past few months, our dedicated team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to trap, foster, and find homes for three litters of kittens. We wanted to share their stories with you and highlight the profound impact that your donations and actions can have.

Our first rescue mission began with a call from a concerned resident in Everton, who had spotted a young mother and her kittens taking shelter in the bushes beside a busy main road. Recognising the urgency of the situation, our team sprang into action, providing the resident with a cosy shelter and a generous supply of food. This was crucial not only to feed the hungry family but also to establish a feeding routine that would help build trust and ensure the cats remained in the area, making it easier for us to trap them.

After two chilly nights of vigilant watch, armed with bags of Fridge Raiders our dedicated team successfully captured the mother cat, now lovingly named Rosie, along with her three kittens! The kittens were transported to another independent rescue run by Bronwyn Barnett, where they received the care they needed before finding their forever homes. Meanwhile, Rosie found in a foster home with our longstanding volunteer Liz at RATS

We're overjoyed to announce that all have been health-checked, vaccinated, neutered, parasite-treated and rehomed just in time for the festive season. This heartwarming rescue story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and working alongside other rescues - thank you to all those who made it possible! 

Our second rescue mission took us to a local smallholding, also in Everton. The landowner, feeling overwhelmed, reached out to RATS for help after finding himself caring for an expanding colony of stray cats and kittens. Among them was a mother cat who had recently given birth to two litters - one litter about six months old and another just 13 weeks old. When Alex our volunteer visited the smallholding, she was welcomed by a delightful group of well-socialised cats, all thanks to the landowner's dedicated care.

However, proper nutrition was lacking, so, fuelled by your generous donations, RATS supplied an abundance of dry and wet food suitable for the kittens. Armed with expert advice and new resources, the landowner was ready to help us transition the cats into foster care. Alex secured a new temporary foster couple Sophie and Joe and our trusted kitten fosterer Michelle. Once in foster, several kittens faced a bout of cat flu, a potentially dangerous condition for young cats. But with the unwavering support of our local veterinary surgery Happy Cats and the commitment of our cat team, the kittens made a swift recovery, soon showcasing their playful and mischievous natures.

Our most recent rescue adventure unfolded on another farm in Royston. After discovering a litter of kittens, the residents quickly contacted one of our expert trapping and fostering team members. In an impressive feat, they managed to catch all four kittens and their mum in just one night! Initially, the kittens needed some time to adjust to the comforts of home life, but they have since made remarkable progress and one of our new temporary fosterers, Georgia, has kept one lucky cat. We're delighted to share that the other cats have all been rehomed to loving, forever families, where they are thriving and bringing joy to their new owners.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Cats Protection Bedford and Biggleswade branch who provided us with some neutering and first vaccination vouchers for these kittens and enabled us to neuter and return some of the older kittens to the landowner who will look out for them. 

As we reflect on these recent heartwarming rescue stories, we're reminded of the incredible impact that dedication, compassion, and community support can have on the lives of vulnerable animals. Each kitten's journey from uncertainty to a loving home is a testament to the power of kindness and the unwavering commitment of our cat team and supporters. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has contributed to these efforts, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.