Dumped kittens put down: Wanneroo

Vetwest Animal Hospital Wanneroo veterinary nurse Rachel Parsons said a school-girl found the day-old kittens on September 15.

“They were found in bulk rubbish – she heard one of them miaowing ,” she said.

“She found three of them in a box. They hadn’t opened their eyes; they were very small and they weren’t feeding very well.”

Miss Parsons said the clinic had to humanely euthanise the kittens, and unfortunately they weren’t the first dumped kittens they had treated.

“We’ve had that a few times, we’ve had young kittens dumped on our doorstep,” she said.

Miss Parsons said the cat laws meant more people were dumping kittens because they were afraid of getting fines if they didn’t vaccinate them.

“If you don’t want them, bring them in – we run an adoption program,” she said.

The nurse said the program provided preventative care, including vaccinations, at a low cost for new owners.

City of Wanneroo community and place director Fiona Hodges said anyone who found abandoned animals should take them a local vet, the Cat Haven or Dogs’ Refuge Home.

“Spring signals the start of the cat breeding season and the City would like to remind residents that unwanted animals should be taken to shelters,” she said.

“Residents are also urged to check their bulk rubbish piles for foreign items that might have been placed there.”

Mrs Hodges commended the students who found the kittens and immediately took them to the vet.

For more information about shelters and rescue groups, visit PetRescue’s website.