The RSPCA is appealing for information after a kitten believed to have been thrown from a moving vehicle suffered serious injury.
The six-week-old, who has been named Winston by volunteers at RSPCA Crewe and Nantwich Branch, is now making a good recovery after his ordeal.
He was spotted by delivery driver Leaum Rutter (pictured) lying on Cross Lane at Church Minshull near Crewe on Friday, June 30. Winston was crawling around in agony on the side of the road, but Leaum stopped the traffic and came to his rescue. The driver placed the young cat in a box and took him to a Nantwich-based vet’s where x-rays revealed the feline had suffered a bilateral femoral fracture.
Winston underwent successful surgery to pin his broken leg and is now under the care of the Crewe and Nantwich Branch, who have moved him into a foster home.
The branch’s cat coordinator, Mandy Hill, said: “The vet thought the impact injuries were unusual and after examination it sadly does look like this little kitten was thrown from a moving car.
“It’s such a callous thing to do to a little cat. Winston was really scared when he first came into the branch. At first we thought he may be a feral cat, but it is clear he has been socialised by someone and has been living in someone’s home. He’s a lively little thing and fortunately the vet expects him to make a good recovery.”
Winston’s sad story comes as the RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its busy frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.
On Tuesday last week (18 July), the charity received 4,060 calls to its cruelty line – on average six a minute during opening hours – with 1,775 incidents investigated by frontline rescuers on its busiest day of the year.
Anyone with any information about what happened to Winston should call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.
Kind-hearted delivery driver Leaum and his family are making a donation to help cover the branch’s vet bill. The branch is also taking donations from the public and can be contacted at [email protected]
The Crewe and Nantwich Branch is also seeking homes for a female cat and her four kittens who were discovered at Nantwich Marina on Friday, July 14.
A narrowboat owner called the charity after she rescued one of the kittens who had fallen into the Shropshire Union Canal. Animal rescue officer Scarlet Sanderson went to the marina and collected the kitten and the four other felines, some of whom were found hiding in piping.
The branch has named the mother Doris (pictured), while her fleet-footed offspring are called Senna, Hamilton, Lando and Ricciardo after Formula One racing drivers.
Anyone who is interested in offering the cats a loving home should email the branch at [email protected]
