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Unwanted kittens up for grabs

By Chelsea Boyle

[email protected]

A horde of unwanted kittens are on the lookout for new homes in Wairarapa in the aftermath of Christmas.

A total of 22 kittens are available for adoption at Vetcare, more than doubling the number available two weeks ago.

Vetcare owner Heidi Ward-McGrath said they had been dealing with a huge number of animals since the SPCA in Masterton had closed about 18 months ago.

They have tabbys, gingers, fluffy and exotic kittens available for adoption, she said.

Vet technician Danielle Bolton holds Mikey, who is available for adoption. PHOTO/CHELSEA BOYLE
Vet technician Danielle Bolton holds Mikey, who is available for adoption. PHOTO/CHELSEA BOYLE

“We have a no kill policy,” Dr Ward-McGrath said.

If the animal is fit and well they will do everything they can to get the animal back into a home, she said.

“That’s why the practice is called Vetcare.”

Stray cats are a problem in Wairarapa and Dr Ward-McGrath was encouraging people who were giving kittens away on Facebook to be responsible and ensure the kittens were de-sexed.

Her team was making sure every kitten that passed through their centre was de-sexed.

“We are not here to judge anybody,” Dr Ward-McGrath said.

“We are just here to help.

“Each kitten we put out into the community costs us about $220.”

However, the cost to adopt a kitten is less than $200 meaning the centre is far from making money on the service.

“It’s a professional passion of all our staff,” Dr Ward-McGrath said.

Mikey, a sweet short-haired ginger kitten is looking for a new home. PHOTO/CHELSEA BOYLE
Mikey, a sweet short-haired ginger kitten is looking for a new home. PHOTO/CHELSEA BOYLE

“We have calmly and quietly done what we needed to do and we will continue until we have a better alternative.

“We are doing the best we can with the resources we have.”

She credited her staff for being incredibly positive, enthusiastic and professional while dealing with the influx of furry patients.

“We haven’t had any disease outbreaks,” Dr Ward-McGrath said.

“It’s been amazing.”

In the future Heidi Ward-McGrath and vet technician Danielle Bolton would like to run an educational programme for the community and go around community halls in Wairarapa offering to de-sex cats.

1 COMMENT

  1. Can I adapt a kitten please. It’s for my little sister.
    I need a Male kitten please, if I can’t then it’s ok and will be more happy to accept female kitten.
    If possible then please deliver it to my address,
    Highly appreciate your time on my message.

    Alvin Kumar
    02102676432

Comments are closed.

Emily Ireland
Emily Ireland
Emily Ireland is Wairarapa’s Local Democracy Reporter, a Public Interest Journalism role funded through NZ On Air. Emily has worked at the Wairarapa Times-Age for seven years and has a keen interest in council decision-making and transparency.

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