RSPCA Peninsula Animal Aid attendant Daniel Sweet is alarmed at the number of unwanted kittens being dumped at the shelter. This furry feline is looking for a new home — case number 510016B. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Alison Noonan
A CRANBOURNE woman whose niece rescued a kitten from a barbaric death at the hands of hammer-wielding teens fears animal cruelty in the area has reached new heights.
Sandra Roberts said the irresponsibility of local pet owners has left her shocked and disgusted following several cases of abuse in recent months.
Mrs Roberts, a self-confessed animal lover, said she was appalled after her 16-year-old niece brought home a kitten she had saved from death in Cranbourne.
“My niece was walking down the street when she saw three teenagers huddled over a kitten with a hammer in hand,” Mrs Roberts said.
“They told her they didn’t want it and were going to smash its head in.
“So my niece took it and brought it back here and we found it a new home.”
Mrs Roberts said she was forced to adopt another kitten dumped in a paddock near her home.
“Three young kids were going to dump the kitten because they didn’t want it,” she said. “So I took that one home too.
“Then my neighbours decided they didn’t want their new pet any more and were going to take it to a shelter so I said I’d take it.”
Mrs Roberts said she couldn’t understand the mentality of someone who could harm a defenceless animal.
“How can people do that to an innocent animal?” she said.
“I can’t believe the amount of cruelty going on.
“I love all animals and to know that people are treating living creatures like this makes me so mad.
“People should be more responsible – if they don’t want the animal don’t take it.
“There are so many stray cats wandering the streets in Cranbourne it’s ridiculous.”
RSPCA Peninsula Animal Aid shelter supervisor Carrie Mudge said boxes of unwanted kittens were being dumped at the Pearcedale branch every day.
Ms Mudge said the shelter was desperately trying to find homes for 30 kittens and more than 20 adult cats.
“We can’t find enough homes for them so we have had to transfer some to another shelter,” she said.
“Residents keep bringing them in, council officers carry them in off the streets and we even have boxes left on the doorstep when we come in of a morning.”
Ms Mudge said people were adding to the “cat crisis” by failing to desex their pets.
“It is sad to see that people continue to ignore the need to desex their cats when they are such prolific breeders,” she said.
“The weather is still good for breeding and will be for around the next two months.
“I would urge owners to get their pets desexed or microchipped as soon as possible, or buy one that is.”
Ms Mudge said the breeding problem had reached plague proportions.
“It is getting ridiculous. It’s horrible to think that people would try to get rid of their pets in such horrific ways,” she said. “Shelters will take their unwanted pets, so there is no need to take measures into their own hands.”
The RSPCA Peninsula Animal Aid Shelter is at 1030 Robinsons Road, Pearcedale.
Phone 5978 6706.
