Gables Farm Dogs’ and Cats’ Home has come to the rescue of 4 kittens and their Mum, ‘Chuckles’.

Mum cat was named ‘Chuckles’ after she was chucked away and abandoned at a farm in Looe when she was heavily pregnant. She gave birth to four kittens a few days after arriving at Gables Farm. At first two of the kittens appeared to have passed away but after being warmed up and encouraged to feed they began to do well.

At four weeks of age due to ‘Chuckles’ not be vaccinated before arriving at Gables Farm both Mum and the babies became very ill with cat flu. The kittens were so bunged up that they couldn’t smell and as a result they stopped feeding. Following advice from the vet it was decided to take the kittens away from their Mum as she was very poorly and not coping with the kittens.

The kittens, now nicknamed ‘The Four Fighters’ have been receiving around the clock care to nurse them back to health. The kittens are refusing to eat or drink from a bowl so they are being hand reared and having regular syringe and bottle feeds to try to ensure that they are getting enough goodness to survive. They are having antibiotics twice a day, decongestant twice a day and they are also having their eyes bathed and medicated eye drops administered three times a day. It is estimated that it will cost the Home in excess of £500 to treat the kittens. If Gables Farm is lucky enough to raise more money than is needed for their care it will go into the general funds to help the other animals. 

Deputy Manager Ruth Rickard said; “We are determined to do everything we can to help these kittens survive. They have proved to be real fighters. Once they are fit enough they will also need to be neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before they can find loving forever homes.”

The Home has a non-euthanasia policy and never gives up hope of finding a new home for a dog or cat. They will do whatever they can to find a home for an animal; this includes behavioural and veterinary care. All of the animals have a full health check when they arrive at the Home. They are also neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms.