A pregnant cat has been saved from being abandoned and giving birth to her kittens on the streets thanks to the kind-heartedness and goodwill of a Brent resident.
Trudy Broome called The Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Rise for advice after taking in Sweetie, a two-year-old black and white cat who she saw sitting in her front garden for days on end.
Thinking the affectionate cat might be pregnant, she knocked on neighbours doors but no-one claimed her.
Ms Broome said: “I had woken up at 3am one morning and looked outside my window when I noticed she was still sat in my front garden.
“One evening it was particularly cold and I looked outside and poor Sweetie was still sat there freezing. I just couldn’t leave her there by herself, so I decided to let her in my house for the night. As soon as I opened the front door, Sweetie followed me straight in – I think she just wanted a place that was warm and comfortable.”
She put together a makeshift bed in her bathroom but was surprised when she woke up the following morning to see an extra feline with her.
She called her niece Kerry Scofield who rushed round to help by which time five more kittens had been born.
Ms Broome added: “Straight away we noticed one of the kittens wasn’t moving and had breathing difficulties. But thankfully Kerry quickly fetched a warm flannel and rubbed him all over and he was soon wriggling and moving around like his brothers and sisters.”
They then called the charity in Trenmar Gardens but the cattery for full with no space for Sweetie and her brood, so arming Ms Broome with supplies, welfare officers asked her to look after them, which she did.
She added: “It has been great to help The Mayhew and make a real difference. I have become quite attached to them all, especially Sweetie, who I’m hoping to adopt and give her a new home she truly deserves.”
The five kittens, named Tilly, Kandy, Gizmo, Oreo, and Felix will be neutered once they are old enough and found a permanent home.
Alisa Ford, The Mayhew’s animal welfare officer, said: “It was important that they all stayed together, so the kittens could receive the proper nutrients from their mum’s milk, which is essential for keeping them healthy and for their growth.”
“We are very grateful to Trudy for stepping in to care for them during this crucial time. Without her help, Sweetie would most likely have given birth on the streets and we can’t imagine how terrifying that would have been for her and her kittens. Thankfully they were well looked after and within a few weeks, when space became available, we were able to collect them and bring them all back to The Mayhew until they’re ready to find new homes.”
For more information about The Mayhew’s work, visit www.themayhew.org
For adoption and general enquiries, call: 020 8962 8000. To donate, call: 020 8206 5870
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