Saving Animals from Euthanasia’s Busselton branch is desperately seeking more volunteer cat foster carers as they reach breaking point.
The not-for-profit organisation is at capacity with the number of cats currently in care, with more awaiting to be rescued.
Branch coordinator Jackie Murray said with kitten breeding season in full swing, the animal rescue organisation was struggling to keep up and find solutions for animals in need.
“The past few weeks have seen a large number of cats and kittens remain unclaimed in the local pound and without more carers we won’t be able to save the animals who need our help,” she said.
“Foster carers are vital as we don’t have a premises.
“The updating of the WA Cat Act in 2013 which makes it compulsory for cats to be sterilised, microchipped and registered with local council saw a drop in the number of cats coming through the pound, however the recent influx of cats and kittens in the pound suggests that many cat owners are still not abiding with the state laws.”
The group has also been inundated in recent months with cat and dogs owners wanting to relinquish their pets to rescue for a number of reasons.
‘We’re a volunteer group and finding the best solution for the animals is very important to us,” Ms Murray said.
“Unfortunately we can’t help them all but can offer advice and other alternatives when appropriate.”
SAFE’s plea follows the story of a tiny kitten rescued by a Busselton woman after it spent four days spooked behind a wall, when it was found dumped in a rubbish bin.
Bronach McGovern spotted a group of boys behind her work on Queen Street in the town’s centre, rustling through a bin out the back.
“I asked them what they were doing, and they said there was a kitten in the bin,” she said.
“The boys threw pasta at it to scare it out when it ran behind the wall.”
The kitten was too scared to get itself out of a tiny gap between two walls, with the main road on one end and rubbish bins on another.
Ms McGovern fed the kitten for four days. She reached out to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, but as the kitten wasn’t physically trapped, just refusing to get out of the space, there was nothing they could do.
Eventually, after taking to Facbebook, Ms McGovern sought the help of a family friend to help free the baby animal.
She planned to take it to the local vet and adopt the furry friend upon its release.
For more information on fostering and donating supplies to SAFE, contact 0488 518 963 or email busselton@safe.org.au
