(Image: RSPCA)
A "cat crisis" has hit North Yorkshire with a record number of the pets being neglected in the county.
The RSPCA warned staff are facing mounting pressure to care for an ever-growing number of felines, and to find enough space to care for the animals.
An RSPCA spokesperson said the animal welfare charity’s Great Ayton Animal Centre has taken in more cats this year than the same time last year.
They said cats are arriving at the RSPCA faster than they can be rehomed, with the charity urgently appealing for adopters and fosterers to give cats of all ages the chance of a loving home.
Could you give Tommy a home? (Image: RSPCA)
Debbie Fowle, animal centre manager, said the centre in Great Ayton is "running out of space" due to the high number of neglected pets.
“We’ve seen a huge influx of cats and kittens at Great Ayton,” she said. “Sadly, it just isn’t slowing down – and it’s having a massive impact not just on us in North Yorkshire but across England and Wales.
“So far this year we’re taking in a much higher number of cats than we were last year.”
'Hello, I'm Zazu, could you give me a home?' (Image: RSPCA)
She said the RSPCA is heading into the autumn and winter preparing for an "influx of animals rescued from neglect", adding: “There are simply more cats and kittens coming into our care than we have the space for.
“We’re desperate for adopters and fosterers to come forward to help free up space in our centres – this means we can help more cats rescued from cruelty and neglect, but also a cattery is not the ideal environment for cats and kittens and they can find it stressful, so getting them into a loving home as soon as we can is so much better for their overall welfare.”
Sprite, one of the cats up for adoption with the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)
Debbie also said: “There’s a cat for everyone able to offer the right home: 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.”
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Richard Hooker, country medical director for inspiring vet care, RSPCA’s official vet partner for rehoming, added: “The number of unwanted and stray cats has reached unprecedented levels, making it even more important to ensure cats are neutered to prevent unwanted litters of kittens putting even more pressure on charities.
“One misconception many people have is that they need to wait until their kitten is six months old before they are neutered. However, many cats begin going outside before that point and become pregnant or father litters.
“Neutering can actually be done earlier than many people might assume, based on weight rather than age, and we recommend neutering before any kitten begins exploring the outside world.”