CLEMMIE AND CORA

Our Community Team were recently contacted by a member of the public who was needing help with a stray cat that had been appearing at their house for some time.

This cat would come and go and would sometimes re-appear with kittens. When our Community Team went to visit the property they found that, along with the mother cat, there was an older kitten.

As part of Oak Tree’s Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programme the cats were brought into the charity to receive veterinary treatment and to be assessed.

During this time, it was apparent that mum and kitten were not used to being handled by people and as such became very scared and stressed when we tried to interact with them.

Cats that have not had much or any human contact find it extremely difficult, and in most cases impossible, to adapt to a pet lifestyle. They prefer a more natural way of life and don’t find comfort in lots of human contact.

If the cats are not able to be returned to where they are picked up from, the kindest thing to do is to find outdoor homes for them where they will be provided with shelter and food but are free to come and go as they please.

These outdoor cats are often excellent hunters so are adept at keeping rodent populations under control, a perfect addition to farms and stables!

Mum and kitten were successfully relocated to a stable in rural Cumbria and after two weeks of them settling in to their new surroundings, they are happy, healthy and living their best life.

Cats like Clemmie and Cora wouldn’t cope in a cattery and Oak Tree is, therefore, always looking for more outdoor homes that can provide these free-spirited cats with shelter and food. Please contact us on info@oaktreeanimals.org.uk if you are interested in offering an outdoor cat a home or take a look at our website www.oaktreeanimals.org.uk/Community for more information on our TNR scheme.

All animals from Oak Tree Animals’ Charity have received full behavioural and veterinary assessments, are neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated. Horses are passported.

Dogs and cats rehomed from Oak Tree Animals’ Charity also benefit from four weeks’ free pet insurance.

For more information about rehoming an animal please call 01228 560082 or visit oaktreeanimals.org.uk