We didn’t know if they’d survive the night
When these four kittens arrived at Woodgreen it was clear they needed urgent help. One was almost lifeless and they were quickly rushed to the vet team.
The nurse found that two of them had dangerously low temperatures – one so low the thermometer couldn’t register it – and put them straight into an incubator to get warmed up.
Live maggots were also stuck to the kittens’ fur, 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 vulnerable pets a second chance at life
Kittens like these are completely dependent on us for their survival. Will you help to give them a fighting chance?
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 and 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 foster carer also had to thoroughly clean and sanitise their environment up to four times a day to minimise the risk of infection as they hadn’t yet had the chance to develop their immune systems.
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 pet 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 vital second chance at life
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.
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.