5 kittens abandoned, 'left for dead' on beach amid searing heat
- Replies 12
In a heart-wrenching incident that has left animal lovers appalled, a bag of five kittens was discovered abandoned on a beach under the scorching sun.
The felines, estimated at about seven weeks old, were found in a pet carrier with a sign that read 'Free Kittens', left without food, water, or shelter in the blistering 32-degree heat.
It was only by sheer luck that a passerby in Perth, WA, stumbled upon the vulnerable kittens during his beach walk and promptly reached out to Cat Haven, a local rehoming centre, for help.
The man, whose quick thinking may have saved the kittens' lives, was unsure of the exact location where he found them.
He described the kittens as 'a bit scared' when he contacted Cat Haven, according to Marketing Officer Amber Ashford.
As seen in a social media post featuring the kittens, they were huddled together in the carrier, with only a jumper for comfort, and were 'left for dead' with no protection from the relentless sun.
Upon arrival at the centre, veterinarians assessed the kittens and found them to be 'skinnier' than preferred but, thankfully, in good health overall.
Unsurprisingly, many were appalled at the kittens’ abandonment.
‘What is wrong with people [it] makes me so angry and upset how people can do this to any animal,’ a commenter said.
A second agreed, adding: ‘There is a very special roasty toasty place in the afterlife for people who leave these sweet babies out like that.’
The post attracted some interested people as well.
When one commenter asked when the kittens would be up for adoption, Cat Haven responded: ‘Not sure yet they still need their vet work done but we have quite a few kittens for adoption.’
The same commenter replied, ‘I’ll be in tomorrow.’
This fortunate outcome, however, does not overshadow the grim reality of pet abandonment.
The reasons behind such cruel acts can vary, but shame and financial constraints are often cited as leading factors.
Source: TikTok / Cat Haven
Many rehoming centres, including Cat Haven, require a surrender fee to help cover the costs of caring for the animals.
Cat Haven's fee is $65 per cat, a sum that can deter pet owners from taking the appropriate steps when they can no longer care for their pets.
Yet, as Ashford emphasises, the centre is a no-judgement zone, urging pet owners to at least leave their animals at their doorstep rather than in dangerous and potentially fatal situations.
This incident is not isolated.
Cat Haven has dealt with similar cases, including kittens left in a cardboard box and a 17-year-old cat found in a bin near a supermarket.
And it's not just cats; dogs and other animals, such as a chicken tied up in a yellow bag found in January, are frequently abandoned and brought into rehoming centres by concerned citizens.
In Western Australia, abandoning an animal is a serious offence, punishable by fines up to $50,000 or imprisonment for up to five years under the Animal Welfare Act of 2002, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)-WA.
Yet, despite the legal consequences, such heartbreaking incidents continue to occur.
Moreover, we can all play a role in preventing these tragedies. If you're considering adding a pet to your family, think about adopting from a shelter. Not only will you be giving a home to an animal in need, but you'll also be taking a stand against the cruel practice of abandonment.
For those who witness or suspect animal abandonment, do not hesitate to contact local authorities or animal welfare organisations. Your vigilance could save lives.
What are your thoughts on this story, members? Have you ever been forced to abandon a pet? Or have you adopted a pet before? Tell us below!
If you're facing difficulties caring for your pet, please reach out to local shelters and rehoming centres. They are equipped to provide the necessary care and find new, loving homes for your pets.
The felines, estimated at about seven weeks old, were found in a pet carrier with a sign that read 'Free Kittens', left without food, water, or shelter in the blistering 32-degree heat.
It was only by sheer luck that a passerby in Perth, WA, stumbled upon the vulnerable kittens during his beach walk and promptly reached out to Cat Haven, a local rehoming centre, for help.
The man, whose quick thinking may have saved the kittens' lives, was unsure of the exact location where he found them.
He described the kittens as 'a bit scared' when he contacted Cat Haven, according to Marketing Officer Amber Ashford.
As seen in a social media post featuring the kittens, they were huddled together in the carrier, with only a jumper for comfort, and were 'left for dead' with no protection from the relentless sun.
Upon arrival at the centre, veterinarians assessed the kittens and found them to be 'skinnier' than preferred but, thankfully, in good health overall.
Unsurprisingly, many were appalled at the kittens’ abandonment.
‘What is wrong with people [it] makes me so angry and upset how people can do this to any animal,’ a commenter said.
A second agreed, adding: ‘There is a very special roasty toasty place in the afterlife for people who leave these sweet babies out like that.’
The post attracted some interested people as well.
When one commenter asked when the kittens would be up for adoption, Cat Haven responded: ‘Not sure yet they still need their vet work done but we have quite a few kittens for adoption.’
The same commenter replied, ‘I’ll be in tomorrow.’
This fortunate outcome, however, does not overshadow the grim reality of pet abandonment.
The reasons behind such cruel acts can vary, but shame and financial constraints are often cited as leading factors.
Source: TikTok / Cat Haven
Many rehoming centres, including Cat Haven, require a surrender fee to help cover the costs of caring for the animals.
Cat Haven's fee is $65 per cat, a sum that can deter pet owners from taking the appropriate steps when they can no longer care for their pets.
Yet, as Ashford emphasises, the centre is a no-judgement zone, urging pet owners to at least leave their animals at their doorstep rather than in dangerous and potentially fatal situations.
This incident is not isolated.
Cat Haven has dealt with similar cases, including kittens left in a cardboard box and a 17-year-old cat found in a bin near a supermarket.
And it's not just cats; dogs and other animals, such as a chicken tied up in a yellow bag found in January, are frequently abandoned and brought into rehoming centres by concerned citizens.
Tip
Are you from or near Perth? You can reach Cat Haven here. For Aussies residing elsewhere who are considering adopting a pet, please proceed to the RSPCA’s pet adoption portal.
Yet, despite the legal consequences, such heartbreaking incidents continue to occur.
Moreover, we can all play a role in preventing these tragedies. If you're considering adding a pet to your family, think about adopting from a shelter. Not only will you be giving a home to an animal in need, but you'll also be taking a stand against the cruel practice of abandonment.
For those who witness or suspect animal abandonment, do not hesitate to contact local authorities or animal welfare organisations. Your vigilance could save lives.
Key Takeaways
- Five kittens were discovered abandoned inside a pet carrier on a Perth beach in 32-degree heat without food or water.
- The seven-week-old kittens were found by a man who stumbled upon them and contacted Cat Haven for assistance.
- There are various reasons why pet owners might dump their animals, including shame and the cost of surrender fees.
- Dumping animals is illegal in Western Australia, and offenders can face hefty fines or imprisonment.
If you're facing difficulties caring for your pet, please reach out to local shelters and rehoming centres. They are equipped to provide the necessary care and find new, loving homes for your pets.
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