A pregnant cat who was discarded like litter in a Birmingham alleyway while feeding kittens who weren’t hers is now thriving. She and the surviving young cats are ready for homes of their own.
Black cat Nadia was found dumped in a dog crate in an alley in Maypole. She was feeding five four-week-old kittens and was trapped inside the cramped crate with two older kittens around five and six months old.
They were taken to Cats Protection West Midlands Cat Centre in Hollywood thanks to one of the team’s quick-thinking volunteers who spotted the cats on her way to her shift and raised the alarm. The group of cats has received plenty of TLC and those who survived the ordeal are now ready to start their new lives.
Paula Beswick, deputy centre manager, says: “It’s been an incredibly hard journey for Nadia who was heavily pregnant when she was found nursing the five kittens who were not hers.
"She went on to give birth at the centre to three more kittens, but sadly none of them survived, most likely as a result of the stress of being dumped. She’s a gentle-natured cat who is now ready to be pampered and cared for as she should have been from the outset.”
Nadia, who is around four years old, loves treats, sunbathing, sitting in her favourite cardboard box and receiving plenty of fuss. Staff and volunteers at the centre believe Nadia will benefit from a home where her owners are present much of the time to give her the attention she enjoys.
The five nursing kittens needed 24/7 care while they were hand-reared to allow Nadia to focus on her pregnancy. Now eight weeks old, the two girls have been named Nina and Navy and three boys have been named Noah, Nolan and Nico.
All are tabby or tabby-and-white except Noah who is all black. They are a playful, friendly litter and will soon all need homes with lots of activity and outdoor space to keep them interested and occupied.
The two oldest kittens, a tabby male named Maui and tabby-and-white female named Fiji, were very bonded and the centre team hoped to rehome them together but Fiji’s health declined rapidly and multiple life-limiting illnesses meant she had to be put to sleep to end her suffering.
Paula adds: “Beautiful Fiji became incredibly poorly and despite all our efforts was unable to recover from her illnesses. Maui and Fiji were very close and Maui therefore needs an understanding owner in a quiet home who will be mindful of all he has been through and give him space and time to settle and feel safe.
"He is a friendly boy but very timid at present. We believe he will enjoy outdoor space once he feels at ease and a home without children or other pets would be best.
“Nadia and the kittens have had an awful time. It is never acceptable to dump cats and we beg people to get in touch with us, a fellow rescue organisation or vet before they reach crisis point.
"We know times can be tough and we won’t judge. We will work with owners who are having a hard time to find the best option for their cats and kittens.
"Without time to plan it puts our centre in an extremely difficult situation as we struggle to find space and it is unfair on other cats who cannot come into care even if they have been waiting their turn.”
Like all Cats Protection cats, Nadia, Nico, Navy, Nolan, Noah, Nina and Maui will arrive in their new home vet-checked, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, up to date with their parasite treatments and with four weeks of free pet insurance available to their new owners.
To offer a home to the cats or to find out more about Cats Protection West Midlands Cat Centre visit cats.org.uk/westmidlands.
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