Kitten found alone and too young to survive now loves rough-and-tumble

Kitten found alone and too young to survive now loves rough-and-tumble

A kitten found wedged between two walls on an industrial estate in Cowbridge, too young to survive alone, has surprised carers by not only pulling through but growing into a kitten who loves rough-and-tumble.

When a member of the public arrived at Cats Protection National Wales Cat Centre in Bryncethin with a tiny kitten who had been discovered fallen between two walls on Llandow Trading Estate, just off Llantwit Major Road, staff at the centre were amazed that the very young cat had survived long enough to make it into their care and took him immediately to the vet.

Merlin, as the resilient tabby is now called, was estimated to be around two weeks old, an age at which kittens need round-the-clock care from their mother. At such a young age kittens' eyes have just opened, they cannot feed themselves, toilet or maintain their own body temperature. They are wobbly on their feet and cannot see very much at all, navigating the world mainly through scent. They are extremely vulnerable.

Thankfully for Merlin, although his mother was nowhere to be found, at the centre he was provided with the next best thing, a member of staff, skilled in kitten care who was able to provide him with everything from two-hourly feeds and intensive care to gentle socialisation.

Senior Rehoming and Welfare Assistant Amanda Darroch took responsibility for Merlin as soon as he was released from veterinary care. He weighed just 190g, a good weight for his age, but was suffering from an upset tummy, suggesting possible bacterial infection from his time alone outside and needed medication.

Amanda says: "As Merlin was so small and had been without milk for some hours it was touch and go at first. I began bottle feeding him every two hours. He was weak, but with every feed, he grew stronger, brighter, and more determined. Watching Merlin gain weight and confidence day by day was one of the most rewarding experiences. It has been an absolute pleasure to witness him grow into such a playful and loving cat."

Centre manager, Sue Ben-Saud, adds: "Not everybody can care for such young kittens as Amanda did. It's a 24-7 job but she didn't hesitate to take him home and her compassion, commitment and dedication gave Merlin the lifeline he needed to survive and thrive. Thanks to Amanda's incredible care, Merlin is now healthy, strong, and full of life. So much so that he's turning into a mighty little cat who sometimes doesn't know his own strength! He plays with gusto and loves nothing more than rough-and-tumble play!"

Now four months old, Merlin is finally ready for a home of his own, having needed significant time for his digestive problems to heal. The confident kitten would be best suited to a home with adults and perhaps teenager owing to his excitable nature. He is on a strict diet of ZD meat which is keeping his tummy on top-form. The team at the centre is happy to explain his diet in more detail as needed.

To find out more about Cats Protection National Wales Cat Centre, previously known as Bridgend Adoption Centre, visit www.cats.org.uk/bridgend