On 29th May, rescuers from the Patounes de Bezons shelter in France’s Ile-de-France region took in two tiny kittens in a worrying state of health.
The kittens were suffering from severe diarrhoea and losing a lot of weight.
The person who contacted the shelter explained that she had adopted them through an online ad offering to 'give away' the kittens.
A lie about their age
When she brought the kittens home, the woman noticed they couldn't feed themselves and seemed to have conjunctivitis. The online ad had stated they were two months old. However, upon examining the tiny cats, the rescuers quickly realised they were actually no more than three to four weeks old.
This meant the kittens hadn't been weaned properly and required specialised care. They needed to be bottle-fed regularly with suitable milk, kept warm, and receive all the veterinary attention that very young kittens require.
Quick thinking saved them
On Facebook, the rescue centre reminded the public that French law prohibits giving away a kitten before the legal age of eight weeks. Furthermore, kittens must be microchipped before being rehomed or sold. Anyone who fails to comply with these regulations faces fines and penalties.
Fortunately, the woman who adopted them had the presence of mind to contact the rescuers as soon as she noticed the first worrying signs. Thanks to her quick action, the kittens are now in safe hands and have a fighting chance of survival. We wish them all the best and hope they regain their strength very soon.
