The RSPCA is urging homeowners to neuter their cats because the charity braces for an inflow of felines this kitten season – and divulges it obtained greater than 140,000 calls about cats within the final three years.
The charity sees a peak in cats coming into its care between May and September – when most kittens are born – however, because the nation additionally faces a cost of residing disaster, the RSPCA fears that this can lead to extra cats being deserted or relinquished than ever earlier than.
In order to sort out the cat overpopulation disaster, the charity urges cat homeowners to talk to their vets about neutering as quickly as potential and to maintain any unneutered cats indoors with loads to entertain them till they are often spayed.
Sadly, surprising litters of kittens typically find yourself deserted or given up and coming into rescue centres. There had been greater than 7,500 cats reported deserted final yr. The charity has additionally revealed it obtained 143,961 stories about cats to its cruelty line since 2021 and half of these had been obtained throughout kitten season alone.
Alice Potter, cat welfare skilled on the RSPCA, stated: “Kitten season is typically the time of year when most kittens are born and as a charity we see an influx of cats coming into our care as a result. With the cost of living crisis putting an extra strain on people’s finances we’re concerned that we may see more cats than ever in need of help at a time when our centres are already full-to-bursting.
“We’d urge owners to please neuter your cats from four months old to prevent them from having unexpected and unwanted litters of kittens. We know kittens may look cute but the reality is that they require a lot of care, time, and money, which many people may struggle to provide and sadly means they are often abandoned or given up.”
The charity has issued necessary recommendation to members of the general public this kitten season.
If your cat is unneutered please make a vet appointment for them to be neutered as quickly as potential to cut back the variety of undesirable kittens being born
If you discover an deserted cat or kitten, please take them to a vet instantly
If you think a cat or kitten has been deserted in a property, please contact the RSPCA to report this on 0300 1234 999
Alice added: “We need as many people as possible to join us to build a better world for every kind of animal and this is why we’re urging the public to take some simple steps to help us deal with the influx of cats in need this kitten season. We can all do our bit to help create a world where every animal is treated with kindness and respect.”
Thelma and Louise are two nine-week-old feminine kittens who got here into the care of the RSPCA Central London Branch this month after they had been deserted close to Northolt Recreation Ground on 17 April. They had been found in an alleyway inside a cardboard field with none meals or water.
They had been discovered with one different feminine kitten who was fully unable to make use of her hind legs and was incontinent. She was taken to the RSPCA Finsbury Park Hospital in London for pressing remedy however sadly, the little kitten deteriorated and vets felt the kindest factor to do was to place her to sleep to finish her struggling.
Thelma and Louise are doing effectively in RSPCA care, they’re very candy and pleasant kittens who’re getting some much-needed TLC earlier than they are going to be able to be rehomed.
A pregnant mum cat and her three kittens from a earlier litter got here into the RSPCA’s care after they had been deserted in April in Grasmere Street, Manchester, inside a cardboard field. The mom cat, now named Roxanne, was sporting a collar so had clearly been owned however sadly she wasn’t microchipped and an proprietor couldn’t be discovered. The kittens, named Mr Moustache, Barbie and Cheddar,, are round 10-weeks old. Both mum and kittens at the moment are within the care of the RSPCA Manchester and Salford department the place they’re receiving much-needed love and care.
