In a time before Covid, they always used to say that you should never take your work home with you.

But for Rosie Russon putting in those extra hours of overtime is definitely more of a pleasure than a chore, because she's helping look after a tiny kitten she rescued in Wateringbury in her work as an RSPCA inspector.

The two-week-old cat was discovered alone and hungry in a stable yard in the village last month after being separated from her mother.

Rosie was called out to collect her after a worried member of the public got in touch, and the chances of little Willow surviving without being rescued were considered to be very slim.

But now she is happily living at home with Rosie and her menagerie of other pets.

"For many inspectors like myself, the work does not stop when we get home at night as often we end up bringing home animals and fostering pets that need round-the-clock care, like Willow," Rosie explained.

"I've been hand rearing her which can be quite full-on as it requires lots of time and attention but totally worth it to know that you've helped a young cat get fit and healthy and go on to find their forever home.

"Since her mum had gone now, she really needed care..."

"This kitten was found in a local stable yard. The hay had been disturbed and the mum had moved the other kittens when she left but missed this little girl who had been alone for some time.

"She was only two weeks old but was in good condition and well cared for by her mum. Since her mum had gone now, she really needed care.

"She was nearly exploding as she needed a wee and kittens rely on their mother to help them go to the toilet, and she was also really hungry."

The RSPCA rescues more cats than any other pet and currently has more than 900 cats in its care.

From May to September is the typical 'kitten season' when most kittens are born, which means around this time charities like the RSPCA usually see a boom in kittens coming into its centres.

For Willow, being picked up by the charity means a sudden introduction to a new extended family.

Rosie said: "I took her home and although my dog Dennis is usually the surrogate mum of our house, it has actually been Colin, the eight-month-old cat that has decided to help out and become mummy to Willow."

As cute as kittens are, many litters are often unplanned because the owners have not neutered their pets, which results in unwanted litters coming into the RSPCA.

The charity is therefore encouraging all owners to have their cat neutered from four months old.

For more information on neutering, visit the RSPCA website

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