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Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: wharfevalley catsprotection on March 06, 2010, 17:48:30 PM

Title: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on March 06, 2010, 17:48:30 PM
I'm really sorry to report that one of these babes (the male) had to be PTS yesterday  :(

He was still having sporadic diarroah and losing weight - on further investigation he had a huge tumour and wouldn't have survived any operation...

Our co-ordinator sat with him in the sun in his final hours (all of them LOVE the sun after not seeing it for so long)

Play hard on the bridge sweetie  :'(


Well as some of you know, now that Adel CP has closed, i'm volunteering for Wharfe Valley and thought id introduce what we do through one of the worst rescues they've done recently.

They cover parts of Leeds and North Yorkshire an come across a lot of abandonment (don't we all??!!!), timids and ferals

We were called in by Housing Staff. The owner would not let us in, she was mentally ill  so we had to be patient to gain entry. We at last got in when the owner was finally moved to a place of safety. We had been given an hours notice  to pack the van with carriers and it was 3 days before Christmas but off we went. Panic set in then. We were met by Housing staff putting on masks and overalls.What a stench and what a mess. These poor cats have always been indoor cats, never seen a litter tray. Even the owners toilet hadn't worked for sometime. No one knew what was going on upstairs until the ceiling of the flat below started to leak and smell. It truly was awful. Not a cat in sight until I put some sardines into a dish. Was it really I cat I was seeing, it didn't really look like one, but it was. We quickly got 8 cats into carriers as needed to get into the fresh air. Left food down in case any had been too frightened to come forward. There was so much filth and rubbish we couldn't begin to search. Housing staff called the next day but the food was untouched. We rushed the cats to the vets and had to go in the back way as not only were the cats filthy so were we. I have to tell you I couldn't eat a thing for the rest of the day.

(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jenniferphoenix/Rescue/Kitchen.jpg)
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jenniferphoenix/Rescue/clean_up_time.jpg)

The vets were appalled, they had never seen such sights. All the cats needed neutering, they had never been fed cat food and were so ill they thankfully were unable to breed which was a blessing. All their teeth had to be removed as their mouths were so infected. They were crawling in fleas and the poor cats had such sore skins just caused by all the bites. The vets worked into the night to make sure the cats were made comfortable. We have no idea how old these cats were, they could be quite young but due to lack of proper care and attention and vet treatment they all looked elderly. We collected them the next day. The poor cats were traumatised, they were split into two pens and four huddled up close to each other for comfort. All the cats had to return to the vets for another bath after Christmas as  the filth was so ingrained and they also needed further treatment for damage caused by untreated flu. They soon learned to trust us and as their pains disappeared and they felt stronger they started to come and say 'hello'.  It took us ages to get the cats to use a litter tray. They had never seen one before. First of all they started to use an empty tray, then they progressed to a sheet of paper in the tray, then they got used to a sprinkle of litter then they got the message. At the same time we had to slowly introduce them to cat food, they had lived off scraps and dog food which hadn't helped their general health. We didn't want to make things worse. We had no idea at this stage what colour these cats really were.

(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jenniferphoenix/Rescue/Just_arrived_from_the_vets.jpg)

They were so stained we had to patiently wait for it to grow out. After a few months we realised that they were actually white cats with some ginger patches. We were amazed. It has been hard work but worth it to see them so happy and content.........and clean. They have been homed as indoor cats and  the four most damaged ones went off together. They cannot play out and mix with other cats as they are flu carriers and have been left with sinus damage due to lack of vet treatment prior to them arriving with us. It doesn't stop them from playing though, they thoroughly enjoy meal times, and like nothing better than to lie near the window and soak up the sun. After all they had never seen daylight , nor proper cat food for many years so plenty of catching up to do. Never mind if they are a bit overweight now, they aren't complaining, they will think about exercising tomorrow. A harrowing tale with a happy ending

(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/jenniferphoenix/Rescue/Bramleys.jpg)
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 06, 2010, 18:01:27 PM
 :omg: those poor babies  :(

Is that pic of the 4 of them snuggled up together taken in their new home? What a special person to take on all four of the poorliest ones  :Luv:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on March 06, 2010, 18:03:48 PM
Yep, that's them all snug and warm! Will always be snuffly, but well loved and well fed!!!  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: bunglycat on March 06, 2010, 18:15:24 PM
 :omg:--- those poor , poor cats .
They look like different cats in that bottom picture .
What a lovely person to take on those 4 .
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Kay and Penny on March 06, 2010, 18:17:10 PM
it's a world gone mad when someone can get into such a state without anyone intervening

I hope the woman who lived in that hell-hole has been helped too

but how lovely that the cats got such good and loving care
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on March 06, 2010, 18:22:46 PM
I think it was this case that lead to WV working really really closely with housing services and the council a lot more to intervene earlier...
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on March 06, 2010, 23:30:24 PM
Have asdded the warning triangle.

What happened to the 5th one?
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: ginge66 on March 07, 2010, 09:50:36 AM
OMG what a terrible state to get into, I thought I was looking at a dead cat in the first picture! I really cannot believe they are the same cats no wonder you were amazed when their true colours started to show. Well done to everyone involved im sure other well known rescues with more money would not have even tried to save them >:(
What happened to the others did they get rehomed too?
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: JackSpratt on March 07, 2010, 09:58:25 AM
I scrolled through this last night, but psyched myself up to reading it today. Well done to WVCP - those poor babes left in such a  state.  :( I echo the sentiments that I severely hope the owner got the medical assistance they needed too.
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Shirley on March 07, 2010, 14:20:35 PM
I can't understand how it took the neighbours so long to smell anything!   :sick:  Wharfe Valley CP have done an unbelievable job with these poor kitties, just brilliant  :hug: :hug: They look so happy and content now, amazing!   :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: wharfevalley catsprotection on March 07, 2010, 16:34:22 PM
I think that there were around 3 others who were all re-homed seperately, but the 4 stayed together as they were the 'worst' in terms of their skin and emotional damage!  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Skiddaw on March 07, 2010, 16:39:14 PM
They're so alike aren't they? What lovely little faces they have!
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: puggy1975 Zoe on March 07, 2010, 18:53:16 PM
So glad they now have a loving caring home. Nice to see cats in need being saved
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: AliCat on March 07, 2010, 22:31:44 PM
Those poor, poor cats.
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Gillian Harvey on March 07, 2010, 22:39:44 PM
What a disturbing story - but what a wonderful outcome for them all, the transformation is amazing  :hug:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: hOrZa on March 07, 2010, 22:44:02 PM
what they said :)
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Mark on March 07, 2010, 23:11:40 PM
Same here - I hope they all have happy lives with no more cold, pain or hunger  :hug:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Dawn F on March 08, 2010, 11:25:35 AM
well done for everything you have done for them
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Flumpetsmummy on March 08, 2010, 19:43:11 PM
How some people live is amazing but at the end of the day they only have themselves to blame if they get ill. Making the cats or any animal live like that just beggers believe.
Well done  to you all!  :hug:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: JackSpratt on March 08, 2010, 21:00:24 PM
How some people live is amazing but at the end of the day they only have themselves to blame if they get ill.

I'm not really sure what's meant by that? I think I'm reading it wrong.....
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on March 09, 2010, 14:59:00 PM
I don't think flumpetsmummy is referring to the mental illness .... I think she she means get ill as a result of living in the filth.  I do understand what she means and totally agree it's terrible making a creature that by nature is clean live in such squalor.

So pleased there was a happy ending for all concerned  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: JackSpratt on March 09, 2010, 17:53:11 PM
Ahhh, well that I definitely agree with. ;)
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images...
Post by: Flumpetsmummy on March 09, 2010, 19:19:26 PM
How some people live is amazing but at the end of the day they only have themselves to blame if they get ill.

I'm not really sure what's meant by that? I think I'm reading it wrong.....

Oh no I didnt mean what you have thought at all. Just all the dirt and so on.
Hopefully the  person who lived there is on the rd to recovery and being looked after.
Theres so many people out there on there own who need support and help I do hope there getting it
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: littlebrambles on March 12, 2010, 21:25:41 PM
What a sad tale but it does show the dedication of the volunteers involved. This type of rescue can be quite traumatic - well done to all involved for going in and helping these cats. It must have been very difficult, nothing can prepare us for these sorts of horrors.

The last picture is really heart warming, thank you for sharing it. It reminds me that there are many angels out there too.

xx
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: hOrZa on March 12, 2010, 21:34:43 PM
:RIP: Little man :'(
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: JackSpratt on March 13, 2010, 01:35:08 AM
:RIP: Little man :'(

Have I missed a post?
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: Janeyk on March 13, 2010, 06:36:26 AM
:RIP: Little man :'(

Have I missed a post?


The first post was edited to say:

I'm really sorry to report that one of these babes (the male) had to be PTS yesterday 

He was still having sporadic diarroah and losing weight - on further investigation he had a huge tumour and wouldn't have survived any operation...

Our co-ordinator sat with him in the sun in his final hours (all of them LOVE the sun after not seeing it for so long)

Play hard on the bridge sweetie 



 :'( RIP little one xx
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: Shirley on March 13, 2010, 07:44:43 AM
Poor little man, at least he's not suffering now and got to see some sunshine in his final hours   :hug: :hug: Such an awful story, but for most of the furries, a happy ending. :Luv2:

Sweet dreams little man xx :Luv2: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: JackSpratt on March 13, 2010, 15:14:43 PM
Oh. :( I did miss that edit....I'm really sorry to hear this.

RIP Little One - enjoy the sun on Rainbow Bridge.
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: Flumpetsmummy on March 13, 2010, 18:39:08 PM
Thats so sad.  :hug:



Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: Mark on March 13, 2010, 19:30:55 PM
Poor baby  :'(

I was also confused this morning when I saw Rob's post.

At least he had some love and care and was able to go gently rather than in that hell-hole.

Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: bunglycat on March 13, 2010, 22:08:52 PM
Poor little angel  :'( :'( - I didn''t see the edit either.
Hope he is enjoying lots of sun at the bridge -fit and healthy again
 :candle:  sweetheart
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: purrdy1 on March 13, 2010, 22:33:46 PM
very distressing for all involved in this case! :'(

it was lovely to see the mozzies all cleaned up....reminds me of my Mollie, she was one of a litter of cats left by the motorway....my brother brought her to me on christmas eve and she is similar colours but at the time she was matted and gray it wasnt until i gently cleaned her i realised that she was indeed white and ginger...

wonderful work people..hugs to you ALL! xxx
Title: Re: Inroducing Wharfe Valley CP - distressing images... UPDATE 10th MARCH
Post by: Yvonne on March 13, 2010, 22:36:57 PM
Well done to all concerned but sorry to hear about the little one that had to be put to sleep    :RIP: