Residents of a sheltered housing complex in Larbert have rescued an abandoned litter of kittens after a week-long drama to save the fluffy creatures when they were discovered hiding in the back garden of their Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association development, Sir John Graham Court.

The saga began when the first of the three kittens, now known as Roxxy, was discovered in the garden by 60 year old Hanover resident, Ms Newlands. She managed to entice the tiny animal into her kitchen with food and milk but, after turning her back for a second, the cheeky kitten hid behind the kitchen counter. After two days of searching, the work of three adults and a flooded kitchen, Roxxy was rescued again and has now been adopted by a Falkirk resident.

It was at the same time that 66 year old Hanover resident Tommy noticed two other kittens scurry under the development’s summer house and remembered that an adult cat had been sadly killed on the nearby Stirling Road a few days earlier. The residents realised they probably had the whole abandoned litter on their hands.

An SSPCA officer visited to advise on how to entice the two kittens out from under the Summer House and Tommy was assigned the position of ‘Kitten Whisperer’. A rescue cage baited with food and milk to entice the kittens out and Tommy, with the help of fellow resident Ms Newlands, kept overnight vigils.

It took five full days for the first hungry, grey kitten, named ‘Sweep’ by the residents, to pounce for the food and once safely in the cage, Cat Protection Officer, Kate Davidson, transported the animal to the nearby Cats Protection centre in Clackmannanshire.

The cage was reset and 24 hours later, the last small striped, grey kitten, named ‘Sooty’, made a brave pounce for the food and has now been reunited with its sibling at the Cat Protection centre.

Jackie Young, sheltered housing manager at Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association’s Sir John Graham Court, said: “We are delighted that all our kittens are now safe. The residents, especially ‘Kitten Whisperer’ Tommy and Ms Newlands worked round the clock to ensure our furry friends were safe.”

“Roxxy has already been adopted by a Falkirk resident and is a friendly, happy kitten who loves playing with her toys and new owner. We definitely feel like the kitten’s got the cream!”