A BOURNEMOUTH cat charity has urged owners not to give pets as “disposable presents” this Christmas.

Cats Protection’s Bournemouth and district branch is urging people to think twice before giving a cat or kitten as a Christmas present to loved ones.

Often the realisation of the cost and responsibility of looking after the animals becomes apparent in the New Year and the pets become ignored or discarded.

Every year, the branch sees more unwanted cats and kittens in January and February, but Cats Protection says it is not just this time of year that irresponsible ownership is seen.

Rob Hughes, Bournemouth and District branch co-ordinator, said: “The number of cats being dumped is a major problem for us because it can take weeks and often hundreds of pounds to nurse just one unlucky cat back to health.”

He added: “We seem to be living in a throwaway society where some people think nothing of wanting something new and then just getting rid of it when they are bored.

“When that means innocent newborn kittens and older cats are treated as being disposable, I think it is an extremely sad state of affairs. Please think carefully whether you can care for a cat by providing it with the love and attention, food, shelter and veterinary care it needs throughout its life before offering it a home.”

The charity also recommends having the kitten neutered whilst young to ensure no further unwanted kittens are born.

Since September this year, the branch has helped eight young mother cats, who were strays or abandoned, who in turn had 38 kittens between them. They have also seen a further 21 stray or abandoned cats come in to be looked after at the branch, some in a desperate state at the time.

Poppy, pictured above with one of her kittens, is an example. She was extremely timid when she first went into foster care, after prolonged time away from humans, but has learnt to trust again and now has a loving home to go to.

For more information or advice, call Cats Protection on 08453 712762.