Gizmo’s Story
Tiny Gizmo was one of a group of kittens from a colony of stray cats that were living in a yard at Letty Green, Hertford. Members of the local community had been feeding the cats, but numbers were increasing with new kittens. Our Charity was asked if we could help.
We agreed to neuter and microchip any adult cats we caught and provide aftercare with the help of Medi Vets, Stansted Abbotts, before they were returned to the colony. The kittens would be socialised by a fosterer and found new homes. With the great help of our volunteer trappers, we rescued 7 cats and 6 kittens.
Four kittens were found to be inside an old Victorian lamppost lying in the yard. Gizmo was stuck at the top at the narrowest part and our heartfelt thanks go to Hertford Fire Brigade who managed to get her out. Our thanks go to everyone involved in this rescue mission – we could not have done it without them.
All the kittens were severely underweight and in a very poor state, requiring intensive dedicated 24-hour care from one of our wonderful volunteers. They slowly regained their strength and, against the odds, gradually began to thrive. All the kittens bonded beautifully with one another and quickly learned to trust and love their human carers and one of the most rewarding parts of their journey has been watching their personalities emerge.
Sadly, not every story has the happy ending we hope for. Tiny Gizmo, who had an especially difficult start initially began to recover and show her sweet personality, but heartbreakingly she later developed cluster seizures. Her tiny body was suffering, and the difficult decision was made to let her go peacefully and end her pain. She was deeply loved during her short life and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Thankfully the remaining kittens have flourished. They are now healthy, happy and preparing for the next chapter of their lives in loving forever homes. Watching them transform from fragile, poorly kittens into confident young cats has been an incredible privilege for everyone at Cats Whiskers Rescue, and we are grateful to have played a part in their journey.
Gizmo’s story reminds us that rescue is not always about happy endings, but about giving every animal the love, comfort and care they deserve for however long they are with us. Although her time was far too short, she knew warmth, safety and kindness, and she will never be forgotten.
