RSPCA: Cat chaos crippling rescue centres

Thursday, 19 August 2010 12:00 AM

RSPCA animal shelters throughout England and Wales are inundated with cats and kittens in desperate need of new homes.

Many of the charity's rehoming centres are completely full of felines who have been recklessly dumped by their owners or rescued by RSPCA inspectors. Although this time of year is the peak birthing season for cats, lots of centres are looking after more cats and kittens than they ever have before.

Since the beginning of 2009, an average of 21 cats have been taken in every single day at our 16 regional centres* with other independent branches and shelters suffering a similar plight.

Many of the animals are being kept in private boarding or in foster homes as the RSPCA centres are simply too full. New owners are desperately needed to provide permanent, loving homes for them.

The RSPCA Central and North East London branch is currently looking after more than 100 cats and kittens which has hit centre staff both emotionally and financially.

Branch spokesperson Christine Kerridge said: "So many people are letting their cats get pregnant without giving any thought to how they will find good homes for the kittens.

We are left to pick up the pieces. We really need new owners to come forward to give a second chance to the many delightful cats who are without a permanent home through no fault of their own."

The Enfield and District branch is looking after around 90 cats and kittens - which is more than it has had in at any one time over the last 35 years.

Enfield branch secretary Margaret Marden said: "It's really dreadful at the moment, this is the worst I have ever seen the situation. It's so hard for us to see all these beautiful cats and kittens without the homes they deserve."

The Putney Animal Hospital is bursting at the seams with cats who have been involved in road traffic accidents, abandoned or suffered a variety of injuries. But with rehoming centres full to capacity, many animals are spending more time at the hospital or with foster carers while they wait for new homes.

The Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter is currently looking after 42 cats despite only having space for 32 and they are still getting regular requests from the public and RSPCA inspectors to accommodate even more.

Seven-year-old Amber has been at Little Valley for over a year. She was overweight when she was rescued by an RSPCA inspector but after a strict diet she is back down to an ideal size for her age and breed. She would be a perfect pet in an adult-only household where she can soak up lots of love and attention with an experienced owner.

Four kittens were abandoned in a box in Colwyn Bay last month and were brought to the Bryn-y-Maen regional animal centre in North Wales. But the centre was completely full so they are currently living with fosterers while centre staff search for a permanent home.

Five kittens were thrown out like rubbish in two separate incidents in Birmingham earlier this month. Four kittens were found abandoned in a cardboard box outside a block of flats and a 12-week-old kitten was found in the bin shute room at another block of flats the following day. They are all currently in RSPCA care while they recover from their ordeal and new homes are found.

The RSPCA is urging people considering getting a cat or a kitten to avoid answering ads in newspapers or visiting pet shops, but to take home a rescue animal which desperately needs a new home.

The RSPCA recommends that cats should be neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies from occurring.

If you do rehome a young cat or kitten from the RSPCA, the usual adoption fee includes the neutering operation, microchipping, a full veterinary check, worming and flea treatment and any vaccinations they may require.

The rehoming process aims to make sure the cat and owner are suitably matched, which includes a home check and follow-up visits in some cases.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

Images, footage, interviews and filming opportunities are available. Please contact the press office on 0300 123 0244/0288 or email press@rspca.org.uk

*Figures are for January 2009-July 2010 for cats taken into our 16 regional centres only which operate as part of the national RSPCA. Branches run as independent charities and their figures are not available.

Throughout 2009, 7,686 cats were taken in to RSPCA care. Between January 2010-July 2010, 4,135 cats were taken in to RSPCA care.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Tags: