THREE cats callously dumped on Oxfordshire farmland have all now found loving homes, thanks to a leading UK feline welfare charity.
Ivy, Jude and Iris, all Russian Blue-type cat breeds, were taken to Cats Protection Cotswolds Cat Centre, at Wickhamford last July by a farmer who found them on his land near Witney.
In an area known for fly-tipping and with no other properties for miles, it is believed they were abandoned, most likely as a result of being considered too old for breeding.
The animals – thought to be between six and seven years old were unkempt, underweight, and in neglected condition requiring treatment for multiple health problems.
They were all suspicious of human contact and showed behaviours which suggested maltreatment or poor handling. In particular, Jude would flinch away when anybody raised a hand.
Sadly, Ivy was in the worst condition of the three and needed eight months of care to nurse her back to health. Among other issues, she was diagnosed with polyps in her ears as a result of her having an ear infection or mites which had been left untreated and required surgery as a last resort.
Thankfully, after significant care and dental treatment they are enjoying their new lives as family pets.
Ivy’s new owners Terence and Barbara Owens from Worcester have shared how affectionate and loving Ivy is now that she’s settled into their home.
Terence said: “For the first few days we kept her in the utility room so that she could get used to being in the house but once we let her out, she came into the living room, looked around everywhere and now likes to sleep on my lap on the couch or in the guest room.
“She finds a sunny spot to sleep during the day and overnight we can hear her playing with ping-pong balls. Ivy has settled more quickly than we expected, she’s a fantastic cat, we’re so pleased we have her.”
Ivy experienced pneumonia which required antibiotics as a result of her weakened immune system from the surgery and she is now partly deaf in her right ear, a known risk of the ablation. She also has reduced blinking in her right eye, a form of postoperative paralysis which will hopefully lessen in time
Centre manager Charlie Wood added: “All three cats captured our hearts. They had suffered so dreadfully at the hands of humans and yet they all learned to trust us and became affectionate, sweet cats so quickly.
“Ivy, Jude and Iris were remarkably resilient, Ivy in particular, but not all cats would survive as they did. We are delighted they have all found such brilliant loving homes,” added Charlie.
They also cautioned that abandonment should never be considered an option and if a member of the public were concerned about the welfare of a feline friend, the charity would work with them to establish the best way forward.
The cats’ time in care came at a sizeable cost to the centre, even with generous subsidies from the vets involved. Ivy’s medical treatment alone cost around £1,800 and the centre is therefore hoping to raise £1,500 via a JustGiving page.
Visit justgiving.com/page/cats-protection-cotswold-cat-centre-8 to donate.
