More cats abandoned 'due to rising costs'

An animal charity has said the cost of caring for pets is among reasons for a "huge increase" in the number of cats and kittens being taken in by its centre.

RSPCA Coventry and District Branch said it cared for 399 cats and kittens over the summer, which was 150 more than the same time last year.

Emma Davies of the centre said: "We think a lot of that is down to rising costs," adding it included the cost of neutering pets, which in turn resulted in more kittens being born.

Nationally, the RSPCA has warned of a "cat crisis" and said it is now caring for more felines than dogs, adding that the influxes have put pressure on its centres.

The site in Coundon Wedge Drive, Coventry, is run independently to the national RSPCA and said it costs £40,000 a month to run the shelter.

It is currently full with 80 cats, but the centre told the BBC that there is also a waiting list of 130 people who are having to give up their pets.

Davies said: "If your cat is older and perhaps has a health condition, insurance for that and covering vet costs can also be expensive".

"So we are finding that a lot of people are looking to us to surrender their animal because they can no longer afford to take care of it," she said.

"We have unfortunately had quite a few abandonments at the centre, in terms of kittens left in cardboard boxes, cats left in carrier bags and things like that."

Staff also believe an increase in the number of people breeding cats may also be pushing up the number of rescues.

Davies advised anyone struggling to talk to the RSPCA to see if they can help, such as with pet food provision or by treating cats at its own vet clinic.

Beth Clements, RSPCA assistant director of animal services, said nationally it had seen "a huge influx of cats and kittens".

"Sadly it just isn't slowing down and it's having a massive impact on our centres and branches," she said.

"So far this year we're taking in an average of 624 cats each month across our 14 national centres and private boarding establishments.

"That's not including the massive numbers our independent local branch network are taking in too."

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