Animal Welfare League Queensland desperately seek homes for ‘critical’ number of abandoned cats on the Gold Coast

The Coast’s biggest pet shelter is desperately seeking homes for its cuddly felines after a taking on dozens of cuddly kitties this week. Meet 50 of the fabulous felines up for adoption - SEE THE GALLERY

THE Gold Coast has been overrun by cute kittens, with the city’s biggest pet rescue forced to turn away cats as the shelter hits “critical” cat levels.

The Animal Welfare League Queensland has been inundated with kittens with breeding season now in full swing.

There are 91 cats currently up for adoption at the Coombabah Rehoming Centre, with nearly 100 more waiting on foster homes.

Melinda Phipps from AWLQ said the centre needed to find more homes urgently.

“We desperately need to adopt out cats because otherwise we’re at a standstill with space,” she said.

It does put a lot of pressure on resources and space and it does also affect the amount of cats in the community that we can help.”

The AWLQ at Coombabah is overrun with kittens. Picture: Mike Batterham

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Every year breeding season causes a spike in the number of animals dropped off at the centre, with owners urged to desex their cats to stop the cycle.

AWLQ relies on more than 1000 foster carers on the Gold Coast, but Ms Phipps said they need about 50 more in order to manage the current influx.

“There’s a lot of animals who don’t do well in a shelter environment or really need a home environment if they’re underage or sick.”

“We have some carers that will just do it once and others that will care for multiple cats.”

50 cute kitties up for adoption at AWL

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Further complicating the situation is a citywide bout of “cat flu” - an illness that gives the felines cold-like symptoms.

“They get stuffy noses and watery eyes, and it is contagious so they need to be kept separate from other cats,” Ms Phipps said.

“Cats get pretty miserable, they don’t want to eat they just want to sleep and cuddle and need someone to baby them.

“If we could have foster carers that are willing to help, particular with those fluey kittens that would be amazing, it would really help these guys.”

Cats are matched to the foster carers lifestyle, with some of the very young kittens needing around the clock care.

Anyone interested in adopting or fostering animals should contact AWLQ at www.awlqld.com.au/

The cost of adoption is $120 for adult cats and $250 for kittens.