Only take a cat home if you can look after it for life (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Only take a cat home if you can look after it for life

4:26pm Wednesday 5th November 2008 in Epping Forest

I WAS very saddened to read the article about two cats being dumped in a skip (Guardian October 30).

I can’t believe that anyone would be cruel enough to do this to an animal, especially with the cold weather we’ve had recently.

With Christmas fast approaching, I hope that people will consider the responsibility which comes with buying an animal.

They are for life and if someone is unable to take care of a pet, surely it is better to admit this and take it somewhere else rather than leave it for dead?

As a cat owner, I find it difficult to understand how someone could do this to any animal, especially two tiny kittens.

And as for Granville, the cat who can’t find a home, it seems that people are keen to take the cute kittens but no one will give a chance to an older cat.

I really hope someone takes pity on him and he finds a home because I hate to think of him stuck in the cattery for the rest of his life.

The cattery owner Rita Baker is doing a great job providing homes to stray and unwanted cats, but if people just gave a bit of thought before rushing to buy pets, it would reduce the number found on the streets.

Although it might not seem like it, but Granville and the two kittens were lucky. At least they were taken in.

There will be many cats out there, left to die without any food or shelter.

Cathy Hodge, Ongar.