A resident from Westridge in Mitchells Plain saved a lactating mother cat from being thrown into the hopper of a refuse collection truck on Monday morning, 21 March.
According to the Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWSSA), the rescuer suspects that a neighbour threw the cat out with the garbage, breaking two of her legs in the process and leaving her to be collected by the refuse disposal teams.
“The refuse collection team left the injured cat lying next to the empty wheelie bins. As the truck started to pull away someone shouted for them to stop and attempted to throw the injured cat into the hopper.
“It was at this point that her rescuer came to her aid snatching her from the person intent on discarding her like a piece of trash. After a heated exchange, he managed to wrestle her free from the cruel clutches of her aggressor and took her home,” AWSSA said.
The veterinary service further indicated that the cat’s heart was racing, her nose would not stop bleeding and she appeared almost lifeless.
“He offered her a sachet of food and some water but she showed no interest in either preferring to cower in a corner too frightened and badly injured to move.
“After a sleepless night listening to her cry for hours on end it became obvious to him that she needed urgent veterinary treatment so he hitched a ride to the hospital to see if we could save her,” AWSSA added.
After a careful assessment, it was decided that they should rather put an end to her pain and suffering – focusing their attention on finding her aggressors, and most importantly, her litter of unweaned kittens who will almost certainly die without their mom.
On Tuesday, 22 March, Russel Chanquin who is revered as the Animal Whisperer in Westridge, found a plastic milk crate with three tiny two-week-old kittens abandoned on his doorstep and immediately recognised them as the kittens from the deceased mother.
According to Russel, who has saved and offered sanctuary to countless abandoned pets, they all resemble their deceased Mum and appeared to be a perfect match with the identical markings and colouring. Their age also fit the profile perfectly.
The Animal Welfare Society of SA got to meet Russel and the trio of kittens at around 11am this morning by which time two of the kitten’s eyes had opened.
Allan Perrins, a spokesperson for the Society went on to say that the kittens will remain in their care until they are strong enough to be transferred to Rescue is Life which has kindly offered to help in find loving forever homes for them.
“We have thanked Russel for being a Community Champion, for helping us to trace the missing kittens and for offering to assist us with our investigation into apprehending those responsible,” Perrins said.
According to Perrins, animals are being cruelly dumped left, right and centre. If anyone has seen whoever was responsible for this reprehensible act of animal cruelty, please contact the Animal Welfare Society of SA’s Inspectorate on (021) 692 2626 or email [email protected].
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Picture/s: Supplied
