RSPCA Cymru is urging people to consider adopting a rescue cat across Wales, 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 at the charity’s fourteen national centres alone (across England and Wales), as they wait for forever homes, has more than doubled from some 800 in 2020 to around 1,700 this summer*. And thousands more cats are being cared for by independently-run RSPCA branches 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. Cats looking for a home across the centres in Wales include Nala, Tommy(pictured) and Olly.
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 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.”
