Woman on a mission to save abandoned kittens

A Coast woman is giving troublesome kittens a second shot at life.

RESCUED: Jacqueline Arthur has been rescuing abandoned kittens and rehoming them within the Nambour community.

FERAL cats have a troublesome reputation, but a Nambour woman is working to reduce their population with care.

Jacqueline Arthur started travelling to Toowoomba and rescuing kittens after being told of the growing population at various sites in the town.

Ms Arthur worms and treats the kittens to prevent fleas before rehoming them but says the problem out west is growing.

“Unfortunately, out there people don’t have a lot of money or they don’t want to desex their animals so either their animals have kittens, which are then dumped and become feral, or they are born out there,” she said.

“Sometimes you find them dumped in little sacks or they will just be scattered around everywhere to fend for themselves.

“And if I don’t take them, they have to get shot because it’s just a never-ending circle.”

Currently looking after her second litter of rescued kittens, the 22-year-old mechanic said if caught young the animals made perfect pets.

“They are about six weeks old when I get them, they hiss a little bit, but they become so affectionate it’s unbelievable — you would never think they were feral,” she said.

“Once you love them, give them attention and adore them, they are not feral at all.

“I have rehomed six and everyone’s been extremely happy, there has been nothing wrong with each kitten.”

Growing up wanting to be a vet Ms Arthur has always had a passion for caring for animals and said if anyone would like to adopt a kitten they could do so for free.

“I don’t want any money, I just want to see them have a chance in life,” she said.

“They are everywhere, it’s crazy, I could bring back 10, but I’m not guaranteed to get homes.”

Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge president Penny Brischke said adopting, not shopping, was a nice way to get a pet.

“It’s a very nice feeling. I’ve got a number of adopted pets myself and you do feel good from saving an animal that could have been put to sleep or abandoned,” she said.

The kittens are not microchipped or vaccinated.

For more information, contact Ms Arthur through her Facebook page here.