Who are we?
Cats and kittens can’t speak for themselves; they can’t tell you they are hungry, sick or suffering or tell you that they have been dumped, abandoned or abused. That is where we come in, Sapphire Cat Rescue is non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing stray cats and kittens in the Auckland area.
We believe that once we have removed these cats and kittens from bad situations they are no longer victims but real gems as they make the best precious lifetime companions.
We advocate trap neuter and return(TNR) as the best practice. This is known worldwide as the most effective and humane way to control stray cats. The managed TNR cat colony cats are all desexed, feed daily and cared for by volunteers.
We have a strong focus on prevention, we help people de-sex their cats and educate people to be responsible cat owners. Educate the public how to care for cats.
Prevention is the key. We are working on prevention strategies in association with the SPCA Cat Coalition and with local and government authorities to create changes for long term prevention.
Stray cats and cat colonies are created by people and it is people that we need to educate so we can prevent cats from being dumped. If all cats were desexed and people were responsible and did not abandon or dump thier cats then the stray cat population would reduce.
Say NO to dumping and abandoning cats
Thousands of stray cats and kittens are left to fend for themselves each year and not all reach the safety of kind person or cat rescue group. Without the intervention of cat rescue organizations their situation would be much worse. I always think about the ones we do not see and how much suffering they are going through.
Read Smooch's story below that whole situation could be avoided.
Why dumping and abandonment hurts
Being a stray cat is not the cat’s choice this is forced on the cats by the people dumping and abandoning them. It is not a great life style and some cats die of starvation which a slow and painful way to die. It has to stop.
Think about this from the cat’s perspective. One minute that cats are in a home being taken care of, being feed and having shelter, out of the blue that is gone and they are thrown onto the streets left to fend for themselves. Think about it, how would you cope?
There are a lot of misinformed myths that people feel they justify their actions. I’m here to tell you that there is nothing that can justify dumping or abandoning a cat or kitten. The myths are just that myths, the reality of this action is horrific for cats and is left to the cat rescue organizations and SPCA to deal with.
Myths No 1: The cat will find a new home; they will endear themselves to someone. – Yeah right! This may be true for a handful of cats but for most the reality is much harsher. A lot people dump cats thinking they will endear themselves into a new home and someone will look after them. WRONG! They are left to fend for themselves and they don’t do a great job of it most of the dumped cats come into the rescue groups in;
An emaciated and normally very bad state.
Where a mother cat has watched some of their kittens starve to death and people have stood by and watched that happen.
Cats that are so wobbly they lose their balance due lack of nutrition and food.
Cats that have been chased, hit and abused- they are terrified
Emaciated kittens with bad cat flu that have to have 24 hour care to save them.
By dumping cats and kittens you are forcing them into la life of being chased and beaten up by other cats while trying to desperately find their place in the world. It is just not right. There are other options and this does not need to happen.
Myth No 2: People will feed the cat- it will be ok
The truth is that people may not notice a hungry cat or if they do most people ignore them thinking that someone else will feed them. The problem is that these cats do not always get feed and struggle to survive, they scavenge for food out of desperation. They are not ok.
Myth No 3: Cats can survive on their own; I’m giving them a chance.
The truth is they can’t, cats need humans to survive and you are not giving them a chance you are inflicting the most horrible life on a cat. If you take a domesticated cat who has been cared for and looked after by humans and then throw them on the street with nothing how are they going to survive? Or a cat may have come back to their home to find that their family is no longer there. Because they know humans the cats head toward the first the first human they see for food and mostly they get chased away as people think they are somebody cats and sometimes hit them to deter them coming back. Cats that are dumped or abandoned have a terrible life and it is not by choice it is inflicted on them. Say NO to dumping and abandoning cats.
Options to dumping or abandoning cats and kittens.
Take them to the SPCA
Take them to a local cat rescue organization
Talk to a vet
Advertise and get them a home.
Smooch's Story
We were called to a street in Northcote to rescue a cat, we now call Merlin, whose owner had died. While we were there this grey and white cat turned up who was in a such a bad way that it brought tears to my eyes. We checked to see if any one owned this cat and no one did, so we rescued him to. We took Smooch to our vet and he needed 5 teeth removed, cancer growths had to be removed from his ear and nose, desexing, vaccinating, flea and worm him. After his opertaion he came you us for a cuddle before eatiing his food. This cat was starving as he would have had trouble eating his food with teeth in that condition. If we hadn't of stepped he would have starved to death. Incedibaly, this cat was more than likely abandoned, left confused and having to fend for himself and yet he still trusts people. Smooch was 2.9 kgs when we rescued him and today he is 4.4 kgs and has truely transferred back to the handsome boy that we knew he was all along. Just compare the before and after pictures and it just shows you what abit of TLC will do.
A special thank you to Linda Hodda,his fosterer and our Kevin Mansell, our vet, from Albany Animal Doctors who took such special care with our Smooch that you can't even notice that part of his ear was removed.
Can you help us by fostering?
If you can open your hearts and homes to our gorgeous rescued cats and kittens, we would like to hear from you.
This is a volunteer position and you will need to be able to feed, and care for the cat/kitten in your own home until our adoption team find a permanent home for them.
Requirements include:
- a big heart to show love to lost cats/kittens
- willing to keep in contact with our Adoption Manager regularly as she advertises cat/kitten for rehoming
- willing to sign a volunteer form
We supply the food and equipment for the cats and you supply the kitty litter.
There is no fee to become a fosterer, and experience is not required, however you must love cats/kittens and be able to care for the Sapphire cat/kitten fostered with you. It is a uniquely satisfying experience caring for a cat/kitten in your home.
Call us on 09 476 5163 or 027 338 9348 email contact@sapphirecatrescue.org
We would love to hear from you!