The animal welfare Battersea says it is is seeing very high numbers of animals being left abandoned and needing to be rehomed, with hundreds of waiting lists
Britain is suffering from a cat crisis with an unprecedented surge in unwanted and abandoned animals needing a home.
Despite cats being more common as pets than dogs, animal welfare charity, Battersea, is currently seeing its highest number needing help in five years. It has over 500 cats currently on their London waiting list – with some felines waiting over 200 days for a new home.
Bridie Williams, rehoming and welfare Manager from said: “There’s a number of factors contributing to the continued influx of cats into rescues. We’re seeing large numbers of unneutered cats and unwanted litters, with ‘kitten season’ now lasting year-round. Many strays arrive without microchips, and changes in owners’ personal circumstances can often lead them to make the responsible decision to bring them to a rescue centre like Battersea.”
“While there is no time limit on how long an animal can stay in our care, we encourage anyone considering getting a cat to visit their local rescue centre. Our experts can match you with a cat that perfectly suits your lifestyle and personality. All of these lovely cats coming to Battersea and other rescues deserve a second chance.”
In a recent poll conducted by Mars for their global pet parent study – a survey of 20,000 pet parents across 20 countries, revealed that only 17 per cent of cat owners globally adopt from shelters. Nearly half of Brits (47%) revealed they believe cats are misunderstood and overlooked compared to dogs.
Some of Battersea’s longest standing cat residents who are still in need of a home include Maise who has been in a shelter for 250 days. Despite being shy on her arrival to the charity’s Old Windsor centre, she has come out of her shell and loves spending her days playing with her beloved blue ball, which she will drop at your feet for a game of fetch.
The seven-year-old Domestic Shorthair is always happy to receive a gentle fuss and a chin scratch or two, or curling up beside you for an afternoon snooze. Maisie is hoping to find a home with loving owners who can allow her plenty of time.
Four-year-old Florence is a tabby cat who has stolen the hearts of all the staff at Battersea thanks to her affectionate nature. She has been happily spending her 243 days at the centre curled up on the cattery staff’s laps or gently nudging them for head rubs. As a lover of the great outdoors, she is looking for a home with a garden so she can spend her days exploring.
Destiny is a charming older lady who is patiently waiting to find her fated forever home. The eight-year-old feline loves to be kept busy with plenty of playtime with string toys and cheek rubs, followed by curling up in a cosy spot or on her favourite people’s laps for a well-earned snooze. After almost seven months in Battersea’s care, she is hoping for a match.
In 2022 Battersea directly cared for 2,278 dogs and 2,253 cats at their three centres.
