Warning over kittens as the Christmas gift

Nov 19 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

ANIMAL welfare experts are urging West Lothian people not to give kittens as presents this Christmas.

Volunteers at West Lothian Cat Protection say they understand it may seem like a nice idea, but say more often than not the novelty of a kitten soon wears off and the cats are then handed over to the charity, or worse dumped somewhere to fend for themselves.

The experts say a lot of thought needs to go into giving a kitten a home.

They need a lot of attention, can be destructive if left alone for any period of time, and of course there are the vet bills for vaccinating and neutering which are not covered by insurance.

You then need to think of the long term, such as what will you do with the cat when you go on holiday, do you have someone who can look after your cat or will you put them into a cattery.

Using a cattery can be expensive and your cat will need to have all its vaccinations up-to-date.

The branch would also like to make it clear that they do not rehome kittens or cats to anyone who is considering this.

When you rehome a cat from the branch you sign a written agreement with them that the cat will stay with you so there is no way round this.

If you are looking to rehome a cat, the branch are having a rehoming day on Sunday, November 29, from noon to 2.30pm in Currie Community High School as part of the school’s Christmas fayre.

The volunteers and their feline friends will be in the school library on the day.

Please come along even if you want to just have a chat with the volunteers about anything feline.

For further information on any of the above please contact the branch on 0845 371 2719 or visit the website at www.cats-westlothian.org.uk

HE’S NOT BITTER: Murphy the cat is one of the moggies looking for a new home.