Charity reeling with unwanted kittens boom
‘Unprecedented’ numbers of abandoned and unplanned litters need urgent care
Blue Cross is calling on cat owners, in Devon, to neuter their pets, to avoid the hundreds of unplanned litters of kittens needing the charity’s care.
The charity is facing a hidden pet welfare crisis, due to the ongoing cost of living crisis and is concerned that owners are not neutering their pets, to avoid vet fees. There are also concerns that owners may be deliberately breeding their cats, to sell the kittens, but a lack of buyers leads to them being brought into rescue, or simply abandoned, to fend for themselves.
Centre Manager at Blue Cross in Devon, Stuart Insley, said: “I have never seen kittens coming in for help on a scale like this. Almost every week we are seeing kittens that have been discovered by members of the public. Some are incredibly young and need round the clock care to give them the best chance of survival. This is in addition to the many unplanned and unwanted litters being brought in as well as pregnant cats.”
Blue Cross in Exeter has already taken in 15 kittens over the first half of this year, compared to 2022, when 15 were taken in over the whole year. With the Summer being peak time for cats to have kittens and ongoing heatwaves, the charity fears worse is yet to come.
One pair of adorable kittens, currently searching for a new home, are Pudding and Dumpling, a delightful pair of bonded brothers, who are hoping to find a peaceful, quiet home together.
There are many more kittens, cats and other pets in the care of Blue Cross in Devon, desperately needing a home. To see them and find out how to rehome a pet from Blue Cross visit Rehome a Blue Cross pet
With the increasing pressures faced by pets and pet owners, the charity says it's facing a hidden pet welfare crisis and Blue Cross needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can. Whether that’s by donating to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare. www.bluecross.org.uk