Painful breeding

These cats suffer their whole lives for folded ears

"Aprikose" comes from a torturous breed that has suffered from pain her whole life.(Bild: Tierschutzverein St. Pölten)

They are the result of torturous breeding and are in pain their whole lives: "Aprikose" is a representative of the Scottish Fold cats. She was handed in to the St. Pölten animal shelter and is now hoping for a new family where she can spend what will probably be a short life.

Short, broad limbs, an inflexible, short tail, swollen joints and the typical folded ears of the breed: "Apricot" is living proof of what people do to highly bred animal breeds. The velvet paw is a Scottish Fold cat - and every one of them, without exception, suffers from pain throughout their lives, as the animal shelter in St. Pölten explains: "All members of this breed, as well as their hybrids, suffer from hereditary bone, cartilage and connective tissue disorders."

"There is no cure"
Two-year-old "Apricot" was handed in to the animal shelter: "There is no cure. These cats can only be treated permanently with painkillers until they can no longer walk." This is because the severe pain causes every folded-eared cat to refuse movement and exercise relatively early in life.

Aprikose" is also facing a short, agonizing life. Nevertheless, her carers are hoping to find a nice hospice place for her: "She is very cuddly and approachable. We are looking for a really good place with warm-hearted people who will be there for her in the remaining months of her life."

Contact: 02742/772 72, www.tsvstp.at