More than 650 animals were rescued last year by a western suburbs-based organisation.
The founder of Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue, Nathan Miles, said that while the majority of those animals were moggies, he’s rescued and re-homed guinea pigs, dogs, birds, ducks and chickens.
Mr Miles said the discarded animal problem was largely caused by owners refusing, or unable to afford, to desex their animals, with one animal “then becoming 20”.
In one rescue mission last year, more than 100 cats were seized from a breeder in the west.
Mr Miles said he’d seen it all.
“We’ve also dealt with hoarders … and we’ve also dealt with a lot of cases of cruelty and neglect,” Mr Miles said.
“We’ve had animals that have been bred intensively with no vet care and in horrific conditions. We’ve had animals that have had issues but had never been treated, kittens that had their legs removed, animals with eyes removed.”
Mr Miles attempts to re-home all rescued animals, but sometimes it’s not possible.
“We have a really strong emphasis on animal welfare,” he said. “We don’t want to see animals suffer … if they are suffering and there’s no chance of them being rehabilitated and living a pain-free life, unfortunately euthanasia is required.”
RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker “strongly recommended” pet owners desex their cats in a bid to reduce the number of litters being born and the rising feral cat population.
“Desexed cats are generally more affectionate and are less inclined to wander, run away or get into fights,” Dr Walker said.
“Desexed females do not experience heat cycles and males do not spray to mark their territory.”
Details: Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue on Facebook, or visit rspcavic.org
