Let’s stop the surge in unwanted kittens
A cat is abandoned every 30 minutes in the UK, with figures expected to rise during lockdown…
When two-week-old kitten Astra was left in a box on the doorstep of the Blue Cross Centre in Torbay last month, she was so young she could barely open her eyes and was desperately crying for food. The adorable kitten is just one of 200 cats that have been taken in by UK charity Blue Cross since April. The charity has seen a surge in abandoned kittens during lockdown, as some owners are unable to get to the vets to neuter their cats, resulting in a spike in pregnancies.
DUMPED
Alison Thomas, Joint Head of Veterinary Service at Blue Cross, says, “Every year we see an increase in abandoned cats during ‘kitten season’, between April and September, when cats are more fertile – but this year is predicted to be far worse because many vets have been closed due to the pandemic.”
Shelters are already bursting at the seams, and the abundance of kittens means some elderly cats never get rehomed.
Alison says, “Many people are unaware that cats can get pregnant from just four months old – they are babies having babies. A cat’s pregnancy lasts just nine weeks, and they can have more than one pregnancy during kitten season. So when owners don’t get their young cats neutered, it can lead to a vast number of unwanted kittens being dumped.”
In response to the kitten crisis, Blue Cross has launched a nationwide campaign, Sex Edu-cat-ion, which is supported by actress Joanna Lumley and TV presenter Anna Richardson, and aims to encourage people to neuter their cats – or if owners can’t access veterinary services during lockdown, to keep their cats of both sexes indoors.
Alison explains, “It may be hard to share a home with cats who are desperate to roam, but it’s incredibly important. Many male cats get hit by cars as they desperately try to reach females, and litters of kittens can face an uncertain future when born outside.
Many don’t survive – they either freeze to death or starve.” Alison adds, “It can be dangerous for male cats if they come into contact with a stray female during kitten season, as serious diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are more common in strays. FIV is contagious to cats through biting and fighting.
TOUGH LOVE
“So, cat owners, please show some tough love – if your veterinary practice isn’t offering neutering services during lockdown, keep your cats inside.” Despite her ordeal, Astra is now thriving. Leanne Gober-Rainbow – the Blue Cross nurse who has been caring for her – says, “We introduced her to a family of cats in foster care and she was accepted by the mother – she’ll soon be ready to be rehomed. But sadly not all kittens are as lucky so it’s vital we do everything we can do prevent unwanted kittens.”
By Bella Evennett-Watts
MANY PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE CATS CAN GET PREGNANT AT JUST FOUR MONTHS OLD