Celebrating our Queen Cats

Did you know that pregnant cats are called queens? Not many people do!

Every year we have many homeless queens that come into our care, and this year is no different! Cat queens need extra care, and there a number of things we do here at the Bridgend Adoption Centre to make sure that they are looked after and given the best care possible.

It’s really important that queens can give birth in a safe and warm environment, which means that we make sure there’s plenty of towels and soft bedding for them – they have their own queen-sized bed to rest and deliver their kittens comfortably!

 

One of our Cat Queens, Pixie

 

Pregnant cats eat up to 25% more food before and after giving birth to keep them and their kittens well, so we make sure to provide them with a balanced diet full of nutrition – you could say that their meals that are fit for royalty.

Queens can become quite anxious and stressed whilst giving birth so we make sure to give them plenty of privacy whilst discreetly monitoring them to make sure all is going well with the birth. Our CCAs in waiting are on hand to call the vets quickly if the queen is unwell or struggling during birth. Some new mums can find caring for lots of new kittens overwhelming, if this is the case, mum and kittens will be admitted to our vets for round the clock care until all is well with them.

 

Pixie with her kittens

 

Mum and kittens are always monitored and cared for

Kittens spend at least 8 weeks with mum while they feed, build their strength, learn about the world around them and become socialised. We also make sure that all kittens, as well as mum, are vaccinated and neutered. Then it’s time to find mum and kittens their forever home! We make sure to pair them with their purrfect new family, where they will be loved and cared for… living their own version of happily ever after! It makes us so happy when our queens and kittens find new homes - seeing them head off with new owners always fills us with joy.

Here at the Adoption Centre, queen Pixie was admitted into care along with her 2 dependent kittens, Pickle and Parker. She was a brilliant mum and did a great job of rearing her kittens, and we are happy to say that they have both now been adopted! Unfortunately, Pixie went on to develop a bacterial urinary tract infection that required her to undergo tests and treatment including blood & urine tests, x-rays and a scan. Luckily, she has responded well to a course of antibiotic medication! 

Pixie's kittens, Parker and Pickle

 

It's thanks to your generous donations that we can help cats like Pixie, giving them the care and treatment that they need, and also making sure that they and their kittens find happy new homes.

Will you help us to care for our cat queens? Please make a donation today so we can continue to provide round-the-clock care to our cat queen and kittens. Your donations will help us give every cat mum who is lost, hungry and alone the extra special care they need. Your contribution to Cats Protection will make an impact!

A £5 donation will feed a hungry cat mum like Pixie with specialist food for 25 days.

A £20 donation will provide a safe and comfortable place to give birth.

A £50 donation will provide a cat or kitten with veterinary treatment to help get them ready for a new home.

You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/summerappeal2022-bridgendadoptioncentre?fbclid=IwAR1Od9bEhhawC6z9WStdZdaZPOD0CRazeZjaFwi4AL3c4gAtLUJbW_9t9eo

  

Thank you so much!

-Bridgend Adoption Centre team

 

The Desensitisation Program: Milky's Story

 

Many cats are admitted to the Bridgend Adoption Centre every year from all backgrounds and situations. For most, the upheaval from their past lives, the people they knew, familiar sights sounds and smells can be stressful. Some cats adjust quite quickly to their time at the Adoption Centre while they wait to find their forever home, but some may need a little extra help. For these situations, we have a team of volunteers and staff in our Desensitisation Program.

Milky was just such a cat; a beautiful 7-year-old, all white, long-haired female. She was admitted to the centre by her owner, after her landlord had threatened eviction when they found out she had a cat - she was left having to make the sad decision to give Milky up.

It was observed quite quickly that Milky was avoiding any interaction with the staff and volunteers as they did their daily cleaning and feeding. She would move from her inside pen to her outside run through the cat flap, and seemed quite anxious when people were in close proximity. Because of this, it was decided to include Milky in the Desensitisation Program, to try to help her gain confidence.

Milky’s pen was set up in a way that meant minimal cleaning was needed – this is because some timid cats can find having their pens cleaned stressful. A high-vis apron is worn during cleaning or administering any necessary medication, but not when carrying out desensitisation or feeding - this is so that the cat can distinguish between positive and negative experiences.

 

 Sometimes a towel is used to cover half of the pen window, to help ease the cat’s stress if they prefer not to see other cats. Bedding is left alone (as long as it remains clean), as this will create a scent profile (they can smell their own scent on the bedding) which helps make the cat feel more relaxed. Feliway can also help as it releases calming pheromones into the pen, so this is sprayed onto a cloth or blanket and once dry it is placed into the pen.  

The first stage of interaction is for the Cat Carer to sit outside the pen and to observe the cat, seeing what their behaviour is and where they are sitting in the pen, speaking softly and calmly to the cat and making no effort at this early stage to touch the cat. Everything within the Desensitisation Program is done at a slow pace so that the cat is happy – instead of forcing interaction which would cause further stress to the cat and would set back the process. Only when the cat is making good progress is it moved on to the next stage.

Senior Cat Carer Katie during one of Milky's sessions

Milky slowly began to show signs of interest and started interacting with the team members by approaching them and rubbing against them. She became interested in the toys being offered to her as she progressed through the stages of the program, and her confidence started to grow. She even started enjoying a little fuss! This just shows how important the Desentitisation Program is for stressed or nervous cats. It’s always a great feeling to see the difference in cats like Milky when they begin to regain their confidence and trust in people.

 

 

We’re happy to say that Milky was placed up for adoption and was soon on her way to her new family. All the Adoption Centre staff and volunteers hope her confidence continues to grow, and we know that she will become a much-loved member of her new family!

- Bridgend Adoption Centre Team