Humans. Some of them are just shit.

I'm in despair of some people.

Two days ago we took in a new foster kitten. She was seen being thrown into a hedge by a young man who then scarpered - a classic dumping. Thankfully, the dog walkers who saw his actions went to investigate, found the kitten, picked her up and contacted the local cats protection. After a night in a vets we don't normally use (and I wouldn't use again), she was sent to us for fostering, with sod all information on her condition, no follow on treatment and frankly in a bad looking way.

An appointment with our wonderful vets confirmed what we thought she is not 4-5 weeks as the first vet said, she is an extremely malnourished 7 week old kitten if a day. She has no energy, urine burns, a heavy worm burden, ear mites and is generally filthy.

Tonight, after initially perking up a little yesterday, she continues to be lethargic and struggling. The bit of energy she can muster from her wasted body is going into eating and simply staying alive. At this age she should be a whirlwird. As I look at her tonight I am not unduly confident that she will pull through and that too much damage has been done to her system. She's currently in a special pen in my bedroom, warm with food and en-suite litter tray. We can but keep her comfortable and hope for the best.

My hope is that the person who dumped her has his knackers trapped in a vice somewhere. I am a great believer that how we treat animals, and how we bring our children up to respect animals, is a great reflection on us as a society. There was no need for this kitten to be dumped to perish. He could have taken it to a vet. If on benefits he could have sought help from the PDSA. He could have contacted one of countless charities like ourselves. He could have taken it to a vet's and fibbed that he had found it.

People often ask me if I get angry when we deal with cases where we go to multi-cat households that have got out of control etc. No, because at the end of the day they picked up the phone and asked for help. Yes, it would be better if it never got to some situations, but the second someone asks for help we step in. We are not judge and jury. It is the cases that never get to us that upset and anger me. It is the people who dump, breed unnecessarily, abuse and exploit animals that get my heckles up.

From a decade of doing this work, it comes as no surprise to me that children who abuse animals or have no respect from them (often a behaviour taught to them by, or mimicked from, their parents) often develop a similar disdain towards their fellow man. From talking with the local police, we collectively know the path some of these children are on.

All to often we find that animals are treated like just another disposable commodity. Out with the cat PS2 I want a new kitten PS3. I have also learnt over the years that this is a problem that spans social classes and groups. At the heart of too many people in society today is a relentless greed, bound with a lack of responsibility.

I am a bit of political animal (a card carrying Conservative if you're interested but don't hold it against me ;) ), but I've never really discussed politics on this blog. I know some people sneer at David Cameron's Big Society idea but I can see the point and wish dearly society would embrace it. It is not about getting everyone to volunteer and get volunteers to do the job of the State as many people like to label it. At it's core it is about seeing where we can take responsibility and where we can help others to do the same. Somewhere along the line, too many people today have forgotten how to do the right thing, can't be bothered or worse still, are frightened to do the right thing. Is it a case of rose tinited glasses? Well maybe, but I'd rather be wearing rose tinted glassed than continuing with closed eyes down a blind alley.

Humans. Some are shit. One day last week though, a couple of dog walkers weren't and instead of turning a blind eye they went to a small animal's aide. Not for a cash reward, not out of fear but  because it was the right thing to do. It wasn't their problem, but they put themselves forward to be part of the solution. Because of them one small animal may go on to have a happy life enriching the home of a family or it may die in peace in my bedroom.

'But it just a kitten', some will say, 'you're not out their helping kids, or the elderly, or the sick' is an accusation often thrown at me. No, but it's the start of a pay it forward. Through cats protection I have met people for whom an animal is their one companion, elderly people for whom caring for a cat is their reason to keep going. We have helped ease the pain of having to give up a cat when a home is repossessed or a person is dying, by taking a burden from them. And again, it is just another corner where we stand up and say no, not everything in life is dispoasble. If you want to live in a big society just do one thing in your small corner of it.