Filthy, covered in fleas and fly eggs
We didn’t know if they’d survive the night
When these four kittens arrived at Woodgreen it was clear they needed urgent care. One was almost lifeless and they were quickly rushed to our Vet team.
They had dangerously low temperatures – one so low the thermometer couldn’t register it – so we put them straight into an incubator to get warmed up.
The kittens’ fur was also covered in fleas and live maggots, so all four were given warm baths before being dried, treated for fleas and started on a course of antibiotics and worming treatment.
It was very quickly clear that if the kittens hadn’t been found when they were, they wouldn’t have survived. But now, warm and dry, with expert care, they at least had a fighting chance.
Give more kittens a fighting chance
Kittens like these need urgent treatment to survive. Will you help us give more vulnerable pets the care they desperately need?
After 48 hours in the warm, things were starting to look up
All four, now named Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard and Box, responded well to their veterinary treatment. After a few days they were ready to move on to one of our most experienced foster carers.
We knew she would give them the dedicated care they needed, feeding them small meals, checking their hydration levels and giving them their antibiotics.
The kittens were so sick and tiny, that they were also at risk of further infection and illness. So our dedicated foster carer cleaned and sanitised their living area and bedding four times every day.
How rising costs are affecting Woodgreen
We’re also seeing our own costs increasing – and in some cases doubling. Here are just a few examples:
A special heat pad
Increased by 47%
A special heat pad to warm up a tiny kitten who is dangerously cold has gone up by as much as £7 – from £15 to £22.
A bag of cat litter
Increased by 100%
£50 would once have bought 9 bags it now buys only 4 to 5. We fill around 230,000 litter trays each year.
A raised bowl
Increased by 50%
A raised bowl for an older cat, or one wearing a buster collar after surgery – up by as much as £4.
Small and large toys
Increased by 50%
An outdoor scratching post for a cattery run – up by as much as £50. That’s £111 more on just four essential items.
Help us give vulnerable kittens a second chance at happiness
Over the course of their time with the fosterer, the kittens really turned a corner. They put on weight and became playful – a real sign they were thriving. Now all four little souls are healthy and full of life, and they have all found loving homes.
Their recovery was nothing short of miraculous – and it’s all thanks to the kind gifts animal lovers like you.
Why support Woodgreen?
Our team works tirelessly to provide safe shelter, specialist care, and a brighter future for thousands of dogs, cats and small pets. Whatever the reason for a pet coming to us, we don’t turn them away. At Woodgreen, our priority is to help every animal, no matter what their background or how challenging their care.
Giving little and often is a great way to help all the pets that come through our doors.