Farmer saves cat from river death

Averyll Loft | 3rd November 2009

A CAT and her seven baby kittens are lucky to be alive after being taped up in a cardboard box and dumped on the banks of the Mary River last week.

A cat and her seven kittens live to use up more of their nine lives in the years to come.

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A CAT and her seven baby kittens are lucky to be alive after being taped up in a cardboard box and dumped on the banks of the Mary River last week.

A Maryborough farmer was moving his cows on Friday afternoon when he spotted the box in the mud below the high-tide mark of the river.

When he opened it, the adult cat jumped out and ran off. He quickly called the council to collect the seven remaining eight-week-old kittens.

“When I got there, the bottom of the box was already soggy, so imagine how terrified they must have been,” said Fraser Coast Regional Council compliance officer Shayne Allanson who was able to coax the frantic mother cat out of the mangroves.

“If the farmer hadn’t taken the time to check the box, the cat and kittens would have died a cruel death as the tide swamped the box.

“I fail to understand how anyone can treat animals so dreadfully.

“If someone was caught putting the cats in danger on the riverbank they would most likely face cruelty charges.”

Carmel Hodgins from Fraser Coast Pet Warriors is now caring for the cats, which have now been checked, immunised and wormed.

She said the kittens were ready to be adopted out.

“I think this is horrendous. There are lots of organisations that will take animals in and find homes for them so there is no need for people to treat animals like this.”

Anyone interested in adopting should call Ms Hodgins on 4121 6041.