Animals In Need (AIN) have rescued 350 kittens so far in 2023

Animals In Need (AIN) charity would like to thank the handful of dedicated, unpaid volunteers who have made this possible.

Rescuing animals is hard work.

Many of the animals are sick or injured when they arrive and some cases are harrowing, but the reward of seeing an animal go on to recover and find a loving home is all the thanks the volunteers need.

However, there is not always a happy ending.

A little black kitten with white paws called Ivy was found in a state of total collapse a couple of weeks ago.

She was rushed to the vets and then moved to an AIN foster home where she seemed to quickly start to recover, and she was responding to medication.

Kitten Ivy went downhill and sadly passed away

Tragically, despite the initial encouraging signs, Ivy suddenly went downhill at the weekend.

Another trip to the vets revealed she had pneumonia and although she seemed quite bright, she unexpectedly passed away on Sunday.

Her fosterer was heartbroken to watch Ivy’s decline when she had seemed to be rallying, but it was not to be.

Two 10-day-old kittens were brought to AIN this week when they were found abandoned by their mother.

The lady who found them had been feeding a stray cat who had six kittens, but the mother cat had left with four of the kittens but did not return for the remaining two.

The two abandoned kittens were brought to AIN and were being bottle-fed but unfortunately one of them became very ill and it transpired that as she had been without milk for 16 hours when her mother left, she had sustained permanent internal damage and she did not survive.

More lone kittens have been around the county, including an emaciated seven-week-old kitten who was suffering from cat flu and covered in fleas.

Now named Smudge, he is receiving medication for the flu and has been treated for fleas and is much more comfortable now he has a full belly, a warm bed and no parasites annoying him.

Along with the many cats and dogs currently in AIN’s care, they are currently seeking a home for two young, male guinea pigs in the Donegal Town area.

For further information on offering any of AIN’s rescued animals a home, please contact the helplines or send a private message to their Facebook page.

Smudge was found with cat flu and covered in fleas

It’s that time of year again, when illegal fireworks can already be heard in towns throughout the county.

Hallowe’en is a time of terror for many animals and AIN’s volunteers are readying themselves for the annual mass callouts for animals who have been spooked and have run away from their homes and got lost.

The charity is appealing to people to keep their animals inside when fireworks are going off, check your fences are secure and create a safe space indoors for a scared animal.

Playing music or a radio in the background can help to mask the noise.

It’s not the best time to be a black cat either, as there may be disturbed individuals out there who would carry out despicable acts against them and there are reports every year of cats being tortured and killed around now, so keep cats in as much as possible to be on the safe side.

Hallowe’en festivities can also cause havoc with wildlife, including birds dying from shock or becoming disorientated and flying into trees and buildings after firework explosions.

Decorations pose further dangers, in particular fake cobwebs which can ensnare birds and small mammals as well as being a choking hazard for pets, so please do not use them.

There are dozens of kittens looking for homes at AIN 

Fireworks are illegal and dangerous, so please report any instances to the Gardai.

Finally, AIN’s 2024 calendars are hot off the press and will soon be available to purchase. Further details coming soon.

To help AIN’s animals, please donate €2 to AIN’s ‘Help Us To Help Them’ fundraising appeal via your phone by texting the word ‘KITTEN’ to 50300. Every last cent goes directly to the rescued animals for their food, bedding, vet bills, worming treatment and vaccinations.

For further information on adoption, fostering, volunteering etc, please contact the main helpline on 087 1356188. For cat/kitten enquiries please call 087 7644420. Animals In Need Donegal is also on Facebook and has a website at http://www.animalsinneeddonegal.com.