Harrogate cat rescue Archives - Page 2 of 2

Stray Pets Rescue Club: Olaf, Monty, Gracie & Georgia need a loving home

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, in desperate need of a loving home. Could Olaf the rabbit, Monty the dog, or mother-and-daughter cats Gracie and Georgia find their new family with you?

Gracie & Georgia

Age: 9 and 6

Gracie & Georgia’s story: This mother and daughter came to Harrogate Cat Rescue after their owner of three years, who adored them, suddenly passed away. Before this, they were abused by their previous owner, including being burnt and thrown – which left them both severely traumatised.

Temperament: Georgia suffered the most abuse, so might be a little wary at first. Her mum, Gracie, is very affectionate and loves being fussed and groomed.

Ideal home: This pair are looking for a home where they can be together and relax again. Both are indoor cats, and have no knowledge of being outside.

To find out more about Gracie and Georgia and how you can help, contact Celia at Harrogate Cat Rescue on 07749 461042

Monty

Age: 8 months

Monty’s story: Monty is a Romanian rescue dog. He came to Miss Mollie’s Rescue when he was six months old, and lived with a 10 year old girl who he loved. Sadly their circumstances changed and he was returned to the rescue.

Temperament: Monty is good around other dogs and children, is lovely to walk, and loves having cuddles.

Ideal home: Monty is already house trained. He has bowed front legs (often called ‘Queen Ann Legs’), so may need trips to the vet; Miss Mollie’s would help with the costs.

If Monty could become part of your family, get in touch with Miss Mollie’s Rescue.

Olaf

Age: 3 years 8 months

Olaf’s story: Olaf came to the RSPCA after he sadly lost his girlfriend and his previous owners were unable to keep him. He’s missing both his girlfriend and his home.

Temperament: Olaf is a sweet boy, looking for a new girlfriend. He is neutered and will need to be re-homed where there is an existing female already. Olaf also loves treat time and being hand-fed.

Ideal home: An adult only household with space to go outside and explore would be perfect for Olaf. His hutch needs to be at least 6 foot, with an attached run of at least 8 foot.

If you could help Olaf find love again, get in touch with the RSPCA York, Harrogate and District branch.

Harrogate Cat Rescue crippled by vet fees

Harrogate’s newly-established cat rescue is being crippled by vet fees as it takes in an unprecedented number of animals.

Celia Dakin, who set up the Harrogate Cat Rescue in April this year, says many come with hidden problems.

She has seen a big spike recently in abandoned adult cats in particular. Just last week the rescue took in 12 cats from Bradford.

Some of the cats have problems with their bladder or their stomachs and many need to be neutered. All of those treatments come at a cost.

On average at the moment Celia is spending around £1,000 on those bills. The rescue will struggle financially without more support.

Celia told the Stray Ferret that she has never seen demand like it in all her years rescuing cats:

“It is insane, absolutely insane. Just now I have taken a call about another two cats that need to be rescued from a road in Darley.

“There are a lot of adult cats coming in at the moment. I cannot keep up with it all, I think it is just awful.”

Harrogate Cat Rescue owner, with one of her own cats Geoff.

While it is hard for Celia to know the reasons for the spike in rescue cats, many of the reasons she comes across are a direct or indirect result of coronavirus.

One woman gave up her cat after being made redundant following months on furlough. Many more come from relationship breakdowns, with coronavirus causing tensions.

The Harrogate Cat Rescue will always try to make room for the new cats but has asked people to donate to its fundraising page here.

The Stray Pets Rescue Club: Could you give one of these animals a happy home?

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly pet profile of animals in desperate need of a loving home. This month’s selected pooches are Gracie and Boki with the addition of a six-foot Boa constrictor, Sssirius, and adorable kitten, Rosie…

English Bulldog, Gracie

Age: 5
Gracie’s story: Gracie was rescued by Saving Yorkshire Dogs. She was used for breeding to make money and was abandoned after reaching the maximum age for reproducing. Gracie has given birth to around 30 puppies in her lifetime. As a result, she has been left with a large caesarean scar.
Temperament: Despite her rough life, Gracie gets along very well with humans and other dogs and she loves to give slobbery kisses.
Ideal home: She loves her food a little too much, so be sure not to leave any sitting on tables or counters. She is also very strong to walk with on a collar and lead, so she is currently being trained to walk on a harness. She will not be rehomed with families who have cats or children under 10 years old.

To find out more about Gracie and the adoption process, you can visit Saving Yorkshire Dogs‘ website by clicking here or contact them on 07562 986101.

Boa constrictor, Sirius – ADOPTED

Age: 8
Sirius’ story: Sirius was named after the Harry Potter character and is a staggering 183cm in length (6ft). He was rescued by K’rescue Knaresborough and was covered in sores after coming into direct contact with an unprotected heated bulb which has been treated.
Temperament: Sirius arrived at the rescue as a cautious and very cage-defensive (protective of the enclosed area) individual. He has since become passive and extremely inquisitive through hours of taming sessions. With his good-hearted nature and beautiful colours and patterns, Sirius would make a fine pet for any reptile-loving family.
Ideal home: Sirius will require a large enclosure. As these snakes are typically nocturnal, a hiding area should be provided. His new home must include a water bowl and a protected heat bulb or heat mat. Reptiles are ectotherms; they acquire thermal energy from the environment. A thermometer must be used to check that the temperature is at 25 degrees and he must be fed a large thawed rat every two weeks.

To find out more about Sirius and the adoption process, you can visit K’rescue Knaresborough‘s Facebook page by clicking here or give them a call on 07837 445352.

Golden Retriever/Collie, Boki

Age: 5
Boki’s story: Boki was saved by Miss Mollies Rescue from Romania when he was a puppy. He was run over by a car and left on the side of the road when the rescue found him. He has since made a full recovery and is now looking for a permanent home.
Temperament: When he first arrived at the rescue, he was quite a nervous pooch and didn’t like to interact with people. But after years of TLC, he has blossomed into a sociable pet and is ready to find his forever family. He is clean, non-destructive and a gentle soul – perfect for a family with children.
Ideal home: Boki needs a home that already accommodates a canine to be his companion and somewhere with a regular routine in a quiet area.

To find out more about Boki and the adoption process, you can visit Miss Mollies Rescue‘s website by clicking here or call them on 07585 324172.

Kitten, Rosie – FOSTERED

Age: 10 months
Rosie’s story: Celia, who owns Harrogate Cat Rescue, found Rosie abandoned on the street with her kittens after their carer died. So, she took them into foster care, but noticed that Rosie’s breathing was louder than usual. After taking three doses of prescribed antibiotics with no improvement, she returned her to the vet. She was diagnosed with Laryngeal Hemiplegia, a disease which causes paralysis of the voice box (larynx). This is rare in cats and usually affects horses. Her illness has now lead to lung inflammation. She is currently taking steroids to reduce the inflammation. She now needs a long-term foster home and Harrogate Cat Rescue will cover her veterinary treatments.
Temperament: Rosie is the most sweet-tempered, affectionate girl who loves human company. She is very family-friendly and would make a wonderful companion. She still has a full life ahead of her and is looking for some tender, love and care.
Ideal home: She is after a long-term foster family (rather than adoptive) and all she needs is dust-free cat litter, as dust exacerbates her noisy breathing.

To find out more about Rosie and the foster process, you can visit Harrogate Cat Rescue‘s website by clicking here or call Celia on 07305 332961.

The Stray Pets Rescue Club currently works with four different rescues on its monthly profiles; K’rescue Knaresborough, Miss Mollies Rescue, Saving Yorkshire Dogs and Harrogate Cat Rescue.

Harrogate Cat Rescue urges owners to neuter pets

Harrogate Cat Rescue is urging owners to neuter their pets following a surge in the number of kittens.

Celia Dakin currently has 30 kittens at the organisation she runs from home in Harrogate. This is about double the norm, partly due to lockdown.

All of the animals must be vet checked and neutered before they can be adopted.

Ms Dakin said owners should do the responsible thing before allowing their cats outside to roam.

She said:

“I have more kittens in foster now than I had when I was working for a national charity, which is down to people not neutering their cats and of course the pause on the trap-neuter-return programme.”

The trap-neuter-return programme, which charities operate, prevents colonies of cats reproducing. The programme was stopped during lockdown, which has contributed to an increase in kitten litters.

Ms Dakin said owners needed to take responsibility for ensuring their cats were safe.

She added:

“I can’t stress how crucial it is. It may only cost an owner as much as a meal out. Each cat has its own needs and owners need to be aware of them. It is your responsibility as an owner.”

Cats often have several litters a year, as their pregnancies only last for nine weeks. Celia said that cats are controlled by their hormones, particularly males who will often fight for females.

Ms Dakin’s rescue centre offers all cats and kittens another chance.

She said she often saw social media posts by cat owners showing pictures of their unexpected kittens. They were often then given away, sometimes without vet check or neutering.

Ms Dakin hoped her rescue centre and social media posts would promote the message of neutering.

She said cats were treated as second-class to dogs.

“You wouldn’t have the same problem with dogs because they are much more protected but for cats there’s limited protection.”