The Mayhew Animal Home: Ricky Gervais joins Animal Home in urgent appeal for help with kitten crisis

Friday, 17, Jul 2009 12:00

London - Celebrity supporter of The Mayhew Animal Home in North London, Ricky Gervais, has joined in a public appeal for help as the rescue centre is currently inundated with cats and kittens and is struggling to find space for them all.

Ricky Gervais has spoken out to urge the public to be aware of the current ‘kitten crisis’ in the UK and is appealing for people to act and help rescue centres in desperate need.

Every summer sees the influx of kittens arriving at The Mayhew as the stray and feral cat population is rising rapidly in the capital.

Over the last couple of weeks cats and kittens have been left on the street outside the Home, on the backs of buses and taped up in cardboard boxes and thrown out with the bins.

The Mayhew has over 40 kittens that they are trying to find foster homes for.

Long term supporter of The Mayhew, Ricky Gervais, said: “I am joining The Mayhew Animal Home to urge people to think about what they can do to help during this current kitten crisis. Too many cats are having unwanted babies that are arriving on the doorsteps of rescue centres who only have very limited space. These tiny little things, like Bertie, have barely had a chance in life so if you can take in any of these orphan felines and care for them while The Mayhew finds them a home, please get in touch.”

Animal Care Manager, Gillian Scott, said: “People are coming to us with their cat after they have had a litter of kittens and they no longer want to look after that many felines. Instead of thinking ahead and getting their cat neutered, they are leaving them to get pregnant and them dumping their ‘problems’ on the doorstep of rescue centres.”

Photograph attached is kitten Bertie, who was found wandering down a main road in North London, she is 10 weeks old. For any high-resolution photos, or further case studies and images of cats and kittens at The Mayhew please contact Sarah Dickinson

The Mayhew Animal Home was established in 1886 for the benefit of “the lost and starving dogs and cats of London so that they should have sanctuary from the cold inhumanity they are being dealt outside”. Today, The Mayhew is one of the busiest animal sanctuaries in London, rescuing thousands of animals from cruelty and neglect each year. We provide shelter and care for cats, dogs, rabbits and when the need arises, for a wide variety of other animals.

The Mayhew Animal Home strives to tackle the companion animal welfare crisis from every possible angle. The organisation is pro-active, innovative and continually works to assist animals and their carers. The Mayhew offers a wide variety of community services providing advice, care and assistance to animals and their carers whatever their circumstances.

Contact info

Sarah Dickinson

Media & Communications Officer

The Mayhew Animal Home

Tel: 0208 969 7110 ext 1

Fax: 0208 969 3902

Email: sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org

Web: www.mayhewanimalhome.org