The RSPCA is urging people in the Midlands to consider adopting a rescue cat, amid an all-time high in numbers of moggies in the charity’s care.
New data unveiled during the RSPCA’s Adoptober rehoming drive reveals that the number of cats being cared for just in the charity’s fourteen national centres who are waiting for homes at any one time has more than doubled from some 800 in 2020 to around 1,700 this summer*. Whilst there are thousands more being cared for by the RSPCA’s dedicated branches network across England and Wales.
RSPCA records also showed cats are now waiting more than a week longer to find a new home – 40 days on average, a rise from 32.5 days in September last year (23% increase).
Although RSPCA centres and branches across England and Wales rehome more cats than any other animal – more than 17,000 last year or about two every single hour – there are still record numbers of cats in the charity’s care.
The rise in numbers is partly due to several recent large-scale cruelty and neglect cases which have led to high numbers of cats – like Tommy – being taken into the RSPCA’s care at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre.
Tommy was rescued by one of our officers after he had been abandoned in a property. The previous owner had moved house and left Tommy alone, luckily we don’t think he had been alone for too long before being discovered as he was in good health when he arrived.
He is quite a quiet, shy boy but with time and patience he enjoys having a fuss and starts to headbump and purr loudly to let his human friends know how much he is enjoying their company and even starts rolling over showing off his belly.
He enjoys being groomed and pampered as he accepts this as more fuss in his eyes. Tommy will suit a quiet home to match his personality and he would prefer a home without children or with older children of secondary school age or above.
Since being cared for by the team he has come on in leaps and bounds and needs to find a safe, cosy and caring forever home.
RSPCA cat welfare specialist, Alice Potter said: “We have an astonishing number of cats in our care who are looking for a new home. Many – like Tommy – have come from recent large-scale cruelty and neglect cases.
“We’re experiencing an unprecedented rehoming crisis, with centres so full they are unable to accept any more cats – so most of the incoming animals are having to be placed in private catteries until spaces become free in our own rehoming centres.
“Despite the best efforts of those who care for them, life in a cattery can be stressful for cats so by finding them loving homes as quickly as possible we can also free up space for other cats who need our help.
“This month’s Adoptober rehoming campaign is encouraging more people to consider adopting one of the lonely cats featured on our Findapet website who are looking for a forever home.”
Black and white cat Bertie is one of the luckier ones, having found a new home.
Traumatised after being hit with a stick, kicked and thrown about by a group of teenagers, he was rescued by a brave 14 year-old, who was shocked by the cruelty inflicted on this poor animal. Fortunately Bertie didn’t receive any major injuries but he was suffering from a fungal skin condition called ringworm which cleared up. Cared for by RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre, happily, Bertie was spotted by a new family on the RSPCA’s Findapet webpage and hasn’t looked back since he was adopted.
Originally described as a ‘helpless little soul’ – he has found his forever home, and has been able to settle down, start the healing process and really thrive.
Alice added: “While Bertie is one of the luckier rescue cases, having found loving adopters and a safe, new home, sadly there are around 1,700 cats currently in the care of our national centres. We’re hoping that other animal lovers can help by adopting them.”
“Sometimes, people choose not to adopt particular types or colours of cats due to assumptions or ‘myths’ that are not evidence based.
“For example, we find that it can take black cats three times longer (29 days) to find homes than tabby cats (nine days), meaning not only are there more in RSPCA care but they are also staying for longer.
“There’s a cat for everyone: cute kittens, marvellous moggies, fireside felines and outdoor adventurers, we’ve got every kind of cat waiting for another chance at happiness.
“We always encourage prospective pet owners to look beyond appearance, breed and colour and instead look for a personality that matches you and your lifestyle. However, we also have purebred and pedigree cats coming into our care – so even those who have a particular breed or type in mind may find their perfect partner, without fueling problematic commercial breeding.
“We’d urge anyone ready and able to adopt a rescue animal to fill in a ‘perfect match’ form with your local RSPCA centre or branch and they’ll let you know when an animal who matches you comes into their care.”
Getting a pet brings a lot of joy, but before committing, it’s important to understand the costs. TheRSPCA pet cost calculator can help you prepare. It’s also important to consider pet insurance to protect against unexpected costs.
More information about cats and other animals available for adoption can be found on the RSPCA’s ‘Findapet’ webpage.
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