JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

September 2004  

FRENCH KITTEN PLACED INTO ISOLATION

A young kitten believed to have been smuggled into Jersey from France in a child’s rucksack is now a resident of the dedicated isolation facilities at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.

The matter is being investigated by the Police after an anonymous call was received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter giving address details of a kitten that had allegedly illegally landed in Jersey from France.

The Jersey States Veterinary Officer, Mr Mike Nicholls, was informed of the situation and visited the address with the Police, where the kitten was found living alongside a number of other domestic animals.  Mr Nicholls took action to move the kitten to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter isolation facilities and instructed the owners of the remaining domestic pets that had been in contact with the kitten to keep them all inside for a minimum of 15 days.  If the kitten remained in a healthy condition for that 15 day period, then those animals would be allowed outside again.

The whole scenario acts as a reminder to members of the public that such matters are very serious and can present a real danger of introducing rabies to the Island, which would have potentially catastrophic effects on the animals of Jersey.

ENDS

• Up date: The kitten remained healthy throughout the 15 day period and was transported back to France using one of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter Animal Ambulances, where it was then taken to the St Malo SPCA for re-homing.