Published: Wednesday, 16th January, 2008 12:30
Cats 'orphaned' after owner's sudden death
By Bob Lovik
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Family bids to find home for much-loved pets
Two-year-old Abbie would love to keep her late grandfather's pet cats, but the family really needs to find them a new home.
Pic by: David Robertson
TWO Sauchie cats that have spent their entire lives together are in danger of being split up or – even worse – put to sleep if they can’t find a new home.
Their 75-year-old owner William Mulraney died suddenly of a brain aneurysm last October after owning Snoopy and Jason for more than 15 years.
Now the orphaned cats are temporarily staying with William’s granddaughter Abbie .
Mr Mulraney’s daughter, Patricia Morrison (51), and her daughter Suzanne Mulraney (29), have been trying to find someone to adopt both cats as they want them to stay together.
They thought that, at the very least, a shelter would take them in.
Shelters in the area, however, have rejected the cats for a variety of reasons.
Some centres only take in feral cats and strays, while others have told Patricia and Suzanne that the cats are either too old or not technically homeless as they have someone to look after them – although that may not be the case for much longer.
Jason and Snoopy won’t be able to stay with Suzanne on a long-term basis. She already has a full house with three kids and a large yellow Labrador named Levi, which leaves no room for the cats.
Patricia isn’t able to care for them as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
Neither one of them wants to think about what will happen if they can’t find the cats a new home.
Suzanne said, “If we could take them we would. We don’t want it to come to the point where we have to put them to sleep. We’re basically stuck.
“If I didn’t have the dog I would keep them but it isn’t fair for them to stay here because they are scared of Levi. Levi wants to play with them but he’s just too big and boisterous. They need peace.”
The cats would stay with Suzanne if her daughter Abbie, who is almost two years old, had her way.
“Abbie really likes the cats and I know she wants to keep them but they need to be around older people,” she said.
A spokesperson from the SSPCA said, “The cats are in a unique situation as the next of kin are responsible and this isn’t a welfare situation.
“Obviously we sympathise with them and we do take cats based on available space. Sadly, our centres may not have any space especially, at this time of year when animals are given as Christmas gifts and then given up.”
Mr Mulraney owned both cats since they were kittens and was a lifelong cat lover, known for feeding neighbourhood strays.
Patricia said, “Jason used to go shopping with dad and would wait outside the shops just like a dog until he came out. Jason would then be in the bags when they got home. Snoopy would sit for hours on dad’s knee. She practically lived there.”
The family have put up posters at vets’ offices, supermarket canteens and post offices hoping someone will adopt the cats.
Patricia said, “They are ideal for an older person. They are great company and don’t cause any trouble.”
For more information on the cats or to give them a home, call Patricia Morrison on 07780 802 455.
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