Key Takeaways
- The author’s home has become a cat rescue center due to the growing crisis of abandoned felines.
- The author currently has seven cats, down from a peak of 11, and is working to rehome some of them.
- The crisis of abandoned cats is attributed to the increasing cost of living, which has led to fewer people neutering their pets.
- Cats Protection and the RSPCA are experiencing a surge in stray and abandoned cats, with many centers reaching capacity.
- The importance of neutering pets and responsible pet ownership is highlighted to prevent the number of stray and abandoned cats from spiraling out of control.
Introduction to the Crisis
The author’s home has, against their will and better judgment, become a cat rescue center, illustrating the growing crisis of abandoned felines. This all started when the author and their husband decided to adopt a kitten to keep their grumpy old ginger boy company, which led to them taking in two kittens instead of one. The kittens, named Joanne and Susan, were joined by three more kittens, Leslie, Stevie, and Toni, who were found in an alleyway, and their mother, Phillipa. The author’s home quickly became a hub for cat rescue, with a steady stream of neighbors dropping by with cat food, treats, and cash to help with the cats’ care.
The Growing Number of Cats
As the author continued to take in more cats, their home became increasingly overwhelmed. The arrival of a second litter of kittens, found running around in the alley, brought the total number of cats in the house to 11. The author’s eyes were itching, their nose was running, and they were rooting through the bathroom cabinet for antihistamines. The house, a two-bedroom terrace with an open plan downstairs, was not designed to accommodate multiple litters of kittens. The author and their husband had to get creative, using the bathroom as a makeshift kitten nursery and moving their computer to the dining table to make space for the cats.
The Crisis of Abandoned Cats
The author’s experience is not unique, and the crisis of abandoned cats is a growing concern. According to Cats Protection, the number of stray cats coming into their care has increased, with around 5,100 stray cats taken in over the past 12 months. The RSPCA is also experiencing a surge in stray and abandoned cats, with over 300 cats being cared for in private boarding facilities. The cost of living crisis is attributed to the increase in stray and abandoned cats, as fewer people are paying to neuter their pets. Younger cat owners are also less likely to have their pets neutered, with 71% of cats owned by those aged 18-34 neutered, compared to 95% of those belonging to people aged over 55.
The Importance of Neutering and Responsible Pet Ownership
The importance of neutering pets and responsible pet ownership cannot be overstated. Cats can breed from as young as four months old, and a single female can have up to 18 kittens a year, leading to a rapid increase in the number of stray and abandoned cats. The RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, Alice Potter, highlights the need for owners to take responsibility for their pets’ reproductive health, stating that "many owners are struggling with vet costs or delaying neutering, which has led to more unwanted litters." The author’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how quickly the number of cats can spiral out of control when responsible pet ownership is not practiced.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The author is working to rehome some of their cats and reduce the number of felines in their home. With the help of neighbors and local cat rescue organizations, the author has found homes for some of the cats and is hoping to find more. The experience has been a learning curve, and the author is now more aware of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for neutering. As the author looks to the future, they are aware that it may only be a matter of time before the next resident litter arrives, but they are determined to be better prepared and to continue advocating for responsible pet ownership and the importance of neutering.
