The RSPCA is appealing to find a special home for two overweight cats who were abandoned in pet carriers in an Aylesbury car park.
Five-year-old Dragonfly, a black and white female cat, was abandoned in July at The Gatehouse offices car park in Aylesbury along with her friend Butterfly. A woman was seen dumping the cats in two pet carriers before driving off.
The two felines were then taken to the RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre for some much needed TLC where the staff very quickly realised that Dragonfly was overweight – weighing 7.7kg on arrival which is nearly double the average weight an adult cat should be.
Julie Allen, animal centre manager, said: “Poor Dragonfly and Butterfly were left abandoned in pet carriers and they were very lucky that they were spotted when they were and got the care they needed. Dragonfly has been on a strict diet since coming into our care to help her try and shed some pounds and she now weighs 6.6kg. Slowly but surely, her weight is coming down. We are trying to make her more mobile by scattering her meals around to make her work a little more for her food, and with every twice weekly weigh-in, she’s getting more and more healthy.
“Her friend Butterfly is also an overweight girl though not as chunky as Dragonfly but we are keeping an eye on both of them to help them get to a healthy weight.
“Now they are both looking for a home to call their own and will need a patient and understanding owner who can continue their diet plans. Both these cats have a lot of love to give and there’s a lot of them to love!”
Dragonfly can be quiet and reserved in the cattery and spends a lot of time hiding but is starting to gain confidence and has shown that she is a sweet girl with a beautiful meow as she greets staff. She can often be found curled up on her scratching post or sunbathing in the sunshine, and she enjoys being brushed and having some fuss.
She is looking for a quiet home with a patient owner to help bring her out of her shell and she would also appreciate her own room so she has some space to herself to settle in initially. She could live with a male, neutered cat, and is looking to be rehomed separately from Butterfly. Dragonfly could also live with families who have children aged eight or over and would prefer not to live with a dog.
Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA, said: “We all like to treat our pets but sadly, we are seeing a growing rise in overweight and obese pets with problems such as diabetes, most likely as a result of their diet and a lack of exercise.
“According to the PDSA PAW Report 2023, 49% of vets say they have seen an increase in pet obesity in the last two years and 53% of cat owners don’t know their pets’ current weight.
“We also believe that owners may need more help recognising their pets’ obesity. It is always best to ask your vet to weigh your pet if you are worried they may be overweight; but as a rough guide for dogs and cats – you should be able to see and feel the outline of their ribs without excess fat covering them. Other tips are that you should be able to see and feel their waist and it should be clearly visible when viewed from above.
“It’s important to realise what your pet needs to keep them healthy, such as a balanced diet and exercise. Regular exercise is good for the mental and physical well-being of pets and their owners too, and is just one of the many positive benefits of having a pet. Play is really important for all cats, especially if they are kept indoors and it’s normal for cats to play in short bursts. You can find guidance about how to play with your cat on the RSPCA website.
“It is also important to ensure your cat eats a diet suitable for their age, lifestyle and health status and that they are fed appropriate amounts for their healthy lean weight, if in doubt ask your vet for advice. And if giving your cat treats, it’s important to count these as part of their daily intake and amend meal sizes accordingly. Feeding cats in a more fun and interesting way will help with weight loss as well as reducing the risk of boredom too.
“If you do think your pet may be overweight or suffering from diabetes, the key is not to panic, but to speak to your vet about any problems and discuss with them what a suitable weight should be.”
Butterfly was 5kg when she arrived and is now a much healthier 4.5kg. She will also need a kind and patient owner who can continue her ongoing diet to help her shed those pounds. She could live with a male, neutered cat and could live with a family with children who are ten years or older who understand that she needs space. However, she would prefer not to live with a dog.
To give Dragonfly or Butterfly the loving home they deserve, please contact RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre by filling out a ‘perfect match’ form and emailing it to: [email protected]
