Hopefully an adoption for fifteen kittens will arrive soonthe newborns, picked up from the street and saved by two volunteers. Almost all of them are sick from the gastroenteritis (also known as panleukopenia) that affects puppies and require treatment and many medications. They were found abandoned in cardboard boxes or worse still trapped in the engines of some cars, in cliffs and alleys both south and north of the city. A continuous meowing, a cry for help fortunately heard by the activistsand Mimma Cucinotta and Giovanna Felis. Two veterans, tireless and committed in the field, every day, to help cat colonies but also stray dogs. With great generosity and enthusiasm, the two colleagues, in particular Giovanna who has an equipped space at home where she offers a temporary stall for cats, have decided to host the tribe who need food, drugs for the treatment of intestinal parasites, products for cleanliness and hygiene.
«We are in serious difficulty – they say – we have published an appeal for concrete help on social media for anyone who wants to lend a hand. It is a continuous emergency, particularly at this time of year which is the most critical, when cats are in heat and give birth much more. An endless story even if such a high level had never been reached. We are saturated and can no longer take any more cats. We have a blind kitten who is very sweet. We don’t know where to host her. We are looking for a special adoption.”
The problem arises from the fact that few cats are sterilized. The same applies to both strays and domestic ones. The interventions guaranteed by the Municipality, in fact, are not sufficient to cover the needs which are continuous. Also there are waiting lists.
«Waiting two months to sterilize the animal – explains Mimma – does not help contain the phenomenon, since in the meantime it will continue to reproduce and give birth». But the practice of sterilization is rarely used, especially for economic reasons. The surgery costs money and not everyone can afford it, especially if you own multiple cats. «This is a problem for us volunteers too. You can do it once or twice at most, but it’s clear that you can’t sterilize all the cats you take off the street.” At this moment it is no longer possible to accept reports for requests for help, but only help to feed and care for the puppies, while waiting for them to be fostered or adopted and thus find a family. Requests would also arrive from some cities in the North and it is hoped to materialize them. The cat’s breeding season begins in spring with the lengthening of the days, and ends on average between September and October. The already serious situation is only destined to get worse.
