Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary says vet bills have doubled amid surge in unneutered cats
The charity is urging owners to have their cats spayed after a £100,000 rise in bills
The manager of Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary has described huge financial pressures on the charity, mainly caused by the growing number of unneutered cats and kittens needing treatment.
Iain Atkin says the sanctuary is dealing with an unprecedented rise in stray pregnant cats, leading to what he described as a “deluge” of kittens in their care.
The charity is now rehoming around 500 cats a year, compared to around 300 just a few years ago.
Mr Atkin said: “Our vet bills have gone from £100,000 two years ago to over £200,000 last year, mainly because of the vet care needs created by all of these unneutered females coming into us.”
He believes a combination of factors is behind the rise, including owners struggling to afford the procedure and a lack of awareness around the health risks associated with repeated litters.
“There are people out there that have got cats and think it’s nature’s course for them to keep producing,” he said.
“They’re not educated enough to realise the harm that’s causing their female mother for having multiple litters.”
He also said that many stray cats are being left untreated because people fear they will be faced with a large bill if they take them to a vet, which he added is not the case.
Mr Atkins warned that the problem can quickly spiral because cats can become pregnant again within months, meaning one unspayed cat can lead to dozens more within a short period of time.
“So one cat in two years could have 60, 70 kittens,” he said. “And this is happening again and again and again.”
He is urging all cat owners to have their pets neutered and says eligible owners can get support with the cost from charities like the RSPCA and Cats Protection.
Mr Atkins said: “If you love your cat, get them neutered and there is assistance out there."