RSPCA Tas’ new appeal to build Spreyton cattery with growing cat rescues

Eight-week-old ragdoll-cross kitten Hollie has had a wild journey over the past six months, from matted fur and fleas to a loving new home. Why the RSPCA is drawing focus to her paw-gress this month.

Kitten Hollie with her foster family. Picture: RSPCA Tas

From matted fur and crawling with lice and fleas, eight-week-old Ragdoll-cross kitten Hollie is one of the successful rescue stories from the RSPCA Tasmania.

Hollie was one of dozens of cats rescued by RSPCA inspectors from a northeast Tasmanian property in tragic circumstances.

Living conditions in the shed where Hollie and dozens of other cats were rescued. Picture: RSPCA Tas

RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Hawkins said interventions for cat colonies were one of the trickiest for the organisation, with the physical and mental health of cats within these groups always difficult to gauge until they are in a veterinary environment.

“Most of these animals rescued had Giardia and were riddled with parasites,” she said.

“Hollie had such a serious parasite burden that we had to take a chance on her medically that she would make it – she was a borderline health case.”

Hollie blossomed after receiving medical care and some TLC in a foster home over the course of six months and was able to be adopted out to a forever home.

Rescued kitten Hollie is now in a healthy condition. Picture: RSPCA Tas

Ms Hawkins said that Hollie’s story served as a great reminder for both pet owners and the wider community.

“Obviously, we always encourage cat and pet owners to desex their animals and we have a loan program to help enable people to do this,” she said.

“But for cat owners, the reminder is to confine all cats indoors.

“We also want to work to prevent these cat colonies, which can start from animals being dumped and nearby residents trying to help out by feeding them – this is how a colony starts.

“Our other call is for the public to report to us when animals have been dumped or have formed a colony so we can try to intervene as soon as possible.”

Hollie is the face of RSPCA Tasmania’s 2025 Tax Appeal, with Ms Dawkins stating funds would help to pay for the rescue and care of kittens like her, as well as fund a new cattery.

Rescued RSPCA kitten Hollie is now in a foster home with other cats and kittens. Picture: RSPCA Tas

“We still have a fair amount of work to do in the cat welfare space,” she said.

“We hope that with our Tax Time Appeal, we can get together enough funds to build a new cattery at our Spreyton site to help cope with the numbers of cats and kittens that come into our care.”

To donate to the RSPCA Tasmania, head to www.rspcatas.org.au/donate

Originally published as RSPCA Tas’ new appeal to build Spreyton cattery with growing cat rescues