After a three-day mission to rescue “Piper”, a kitten trapped inside sewage pipes under the Orange City Centre car park earlier this month, another kitten was found in the same area last week in gutter piping laying on the ground.

“We can tell she’s from the same litter. She looks exactly like Piper,” said Blossoms Rescue owner and rescuer Bec Ferguson at Orange Vet Hospital, after the kitten’s rescue.

“It’s around fast food places they tend to gather. And then once they have their babies there, they tend to stay around the area because it’s a familiar environment.”

“I guess they’re probably hanging around fast food places because there’s access to food in the bins,” Vet Hospital veterinarian Genevieve Payne added. 

Orange City Council companion animals community committee chair, councillor Neil Jones also reported cats causing damage to the local ecology. 

“Our wetlands and wildlife corridors are gradually being established as sites where native species are breeding, but one of the biggest problems are the number of cats, both feral and domestic, that go hunting for native species at night,” he said.

“[Feral/stray cats and kittens] are a big problem, it’s a massive problem. It’s bigger than people think,” Ms Payne said. 

She highlighted the importance of desexing, keeping cats in at night, vaccinating, microchipping and registering pets with council. 

“Cats are also required by law to be registered and microchipped, thus ensuring any strays can be returned to their owners if picked up and taken to the RSPCA Animal Shelter. Unfortunately unclaimed cats or those not rehomed often have to be euthanased,” Cr Jones said. 

Reports of abandoned cats or kittens can made to Blossoms Rescue by phoning 0411 125 721, 0432 085 533 or 0422 133 540.