Owners urged to neuter pets amid influx of abandoned kittens
Bosses at Bath Cats and Dogs Home say they are currently caring for almost 30 kittens and their mums, many of which are believed to be abandoned.
The high cost of living has left many pet owners struggling to care for an unplanned litter of kittens, and a decline in adoption leaves them without a permanent home.
As the weather warms up, cats are more likely to roam, interact, and find food – prompting the shelter to urge owners to neuter their pets to prevent unwanted litters.
Cats can become pregnant as early as four months old and, if not neutered, may produce up to three litters a year – potentially resulting in hundreds of kittens over their lifetime.
This contributes to the overpopulation of surrendered or abandoned cats in shelters and rescue organisations, which are already struggling to stay afloat.
Bosses at the animal shelter said it costed about £1,700 to house a mum and a litter of kittens for a three-month stay.
On one day in May, a total of 15 cats arrived at the rescue shelter.
Chrissie Anderton rescued an abandoned cat and her six two-day-old kittens from a field in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, and cared for them for two weeks.
"Having four pets already, sadly, the high cost of keeping seven more cats just wasn't possible in the long term," she said.
"It was hard to say goodbye when I took them to the brilliant Bath Cats and Dogs Home, but I know they are in the safest place and will have a happy future."
In 2024, the rescue centre performed 185 cat neutering operations in their vet suite, which potentially prevented 1,700 unwanted kittens out in the community.
"It is really tough when abandoned pregnant cats or mums and their kittens are left to fend for themselves in the wild, with no food and at risk from predators," a spokesperson said.
"Luckily, some of our current rescue cats were rescued by RSPCA inspectors or members of the public who brought them to us or via a local vet."
The charity expects to see a record number of kittens being born on its site over the next few months and has launched an appeal, called Feline Summer, calling for donations to help care for them.
The 2024 RSPCA Kindness Report revealed that 78% of pet owners say the cost of caring for their pets has increased over the past year.
"Don't get caught out this summer," a rescue centre spokesperson warned.
"Please ask your vet about getting your cat neutered as early as possible to avoid unwanted kittens.
"If you do have a pregnant cat and can't cope with kittens please reach out to your local vet or animal rescue centres for help."
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