RSPCA ‘inundated’ with cuddly toys for kittens to snuggle

The RSPCA has been “inundated” with cute, cuddly, fluffy toys for orphaned kittens to snuggle with.

RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre issued an appeal for small, soft toys they could give to orphaned kittens in their care so, in absence of their mums, they’d have something to snuggle into, providing vital warmth and comfort.

The appeal was picked up by news outlets across the country and the staff have been ‘stunned’ by the response from the community - who have rallied together to donate an estimated 800 toys!

Centre Manager Deborah Caffull said: “We’ve been absolutely stunned by the kindness and generosity that people have shown in response to our appeal, and we’re now inundated with toys for our little kittens to pick from!

“As we’ve had such an incredible response from the public we’ll be sharing the love and have sent a haul of toys over to the hospital which we share a site with here at Frankley Green so that the sickest animals have got new toys to bring them comfort during their stays.

“We’ve also contacted our neighbouring RSPCA centres and branches to see if any of them would like any toys for their current residents to play with, as well as sharing some of the suitable teddies we’ve received with the other animals in our care.

“We’ve now got an amazing store of toys so that we will have options for any new orphans who come into our care over the coming months, and we’re also going to pick some teddies out to save for a tombola at our next open day.”

And Deborah said the surge in donations was a reminder as to the impact the public's help has in supporting animals.

She added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who shared our appeal, donated toys and have helped - though it may feel in a small way - to make such a big difference to the animals in our care, and to our whole team.

"We’ve been really touched and humbled by the way the community rallied to respond to our appeal. It’s an amazing reminder of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.

“We’re so proud to be part of such a wonderful community who clearly love animals as much as we do here at the RSPCA!”

As well as the hospital’s new admissions - like two two-week-old orphaned kitten siblings, some of the centre’s long-stay animals are also enjoying a new toy to lift their spirits after such long waits for their forever homes.