Western Morning News (Saturday)
RSPCA fears cruelty to cats set to increase
THE RSPCA says it fears that new figures showing a recent boom in the kitten trade could see a worrying rise in cruelty to cats as unscrupulous breeders put profits before welfare.
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “The demand for pets soared during the pandemic meaning backstreet kitten breeders have been able to make more money out of flogging pets online. We normally see a rise in kittens being sold at this time of year and coupled with the cost of living crisis, sadly we could see a boom in the kitten trade this year as a result. If you are considering buying a kitten, we would urge people to use the Kitten Checklist.”
In the last five years, 825 reports were made to Trading Standards, council officers who enforce consumer protection laws, across England and Wales involving kitten related complaints. Compared with 2017 figures there was a 185% increase in 2021 regarding buying and selling of kittens.
The RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which aims to raise funds to keep its rescue teams on the frontline saving animals in desperate need of help, as well as raising awareness of animal cruelty.
Sam Watson, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “It’s awful to think cats are suffering deliberate cruelty and to know that an average of seven cats every single day are suffering at the hands of humans is really distressing. Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 10.5 million pet cats in UK homes but sadly they are the second most abused pet - after dogs.
“Tragically, we see hundreds of animals that come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, thrown across the room, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.
“As well as being hurt by their owners, cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”
The RSPCA gets around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty, including animal fighting and hunting. But in the summer calls rise to 134,000 a month - three a minute and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month.
A total of 413 reports of cat cruelty were made to the RSPCA in Devon last year. They included reports of abandonments, poisonings, mutilations, shootings, beatings and neglect. In March, a complaint was made after a video was posted on social media showing someone picking a cat up by the tail and dropping it to the ground.
RSPCA inspector Suzy Hannaby investigated the video which also showed the person throwing things at the cat. The animal did not suffer any serious injuries and was later rehomed by the charity. The person responsible received a caution.
Insp Hannaby said: “Luckily, the cat was not injured but it is never acceptable to treat an animal in this way.”
Overall 17,804 complaints were made to the charity in England and Wales. The reports peaked in July and August. Over the last six years (2016-2021), there were 16,212 incidents of deliberate cruelty towards cats, seven cases a day.