NAVI MUMBAI: A female cat which had recently given birth to a litter of four kittens inside the Vashi railway station commercial complex limited (VRSCCL), was a happy sight for office goers and animal lovers alike who would often give the cat and her kittens milk and food. However, suddenly on Eid day the cat and all the kittens disappeared from their hangout spot on the second floor, making people wonder as to how and why this disturbing vanishing could happen.

"Around a fortnight ago, the employees of private offices at VRSCCL were thrilled to see this cat with a litter of around four cute, newborn kittens on the second floor, near the canteen. Many also started feeding the cat milk, biscuits and other food items while also playing with her kittens. However, her kittens started disappearing one-by-one every other day, and just a day before Eid holiday , there was only one kitten left with the cat,'' recalled an office goer.

When the offices reopened a day after Eid, many animal lovers were shocked to find neither the cat not her kittens at the usual spot, which was rather disturbing.

Animal welfare officer and activist, Bimlesh Navani , commented: "Normally, a cat which has just given birth to kittens would not shift out of its original location, since the animal feels safe and secure there. So, if the reports of the mother cat and kittens having suddenly vanished from their usual spot are true, then some animal haters may have dislodged them from there, which is unfortunate and also illegal.''

When TOI contacted a VRSCCL administrator on Monday, she said, "Since the building renovation work is going on here, the CCTV cameras are not functioning. However, we will ask the security department to check about the cat issue.''

A senior security official of VRSCCL denied the alleged suspicion of the cat being dislodged. He told TOI,"I don't think that anyone has taken the cat and kittens out of this complex. I have myself seen the same cat on the second and first floors of this complex today (Monday), but not her kittens. I will inquire further about it and get back.''

While the security personnel also showed the latest photo of the mother cat which he clicked with his mobile camera, there was no trace yet about where her kittens could be.

Another city activist, Anarjit Chauhan, commented: ``Cidco and VRSCCL can undertake an over Rs 50 crore building renovation work at Vashi, but yet, the authorities are unable to take responsibility of one small cat and her kittens, which is ironic. Recently, the Punjab & Haryana high court had also passed a favorable order that all animals are `legal persons' with right to live with honour and dignity; and that all citizens are their guardians. Animals cannot be treated as objects or property.''

