I was just sitting and thinking on past times - not a good sign as I'm turning into a grump old woman!
Anyway, I reminded myself about what life was like when I was a child. We had a little corner shop near us and the people that owned it had an unneutered queen. They kept it in the shop and it would nurse its kittens while sleeping on the grocery shelves. I was about 5 and would pester my mum to take me in there as I wanted the see the kittens - and puss was always nursing a litter all year round.
Back then, there were kittens to be found in at least one house on nearly every street... and this was one of the most affluent parts of South London. We never saw these adverts selling kittens for lots of dosh because if you wanted a cat, all you had to do was ask a friend or a neighbour and everyone would know of a litter ready to be rehomed. The local petshop always, (I mean
always ) had kittens playing in the window. Sometimes 2 or 3 litters together... that's when you could get the petshop to accept kittens as they sold for about £3 each back then and there was not much profit in stocking them.
I also remembered the grim tales my dad told me. He worked an the railways and part of his job was making sure the embankments were clear and safe. He lost count of the amount of sacks of kittens and puppies he found thrown over the fence.
Sometimes he could save them and get the RSPCA to take them, but often he was too late.
None of these things happen now, or when they do, they envoke outrage and publicity but 30 years ago, it was common place. No one wanted to adopt female cats and they knew they'd be stuck with kittens, and would have to try to find homes for them or drown them. Very few people even though about neutering.
So although it may not feel like it as times, we have matured as a society and the message is getting across. So keep up the good work everyone!
