Worried about cats
Iworry about the future for our cats. Rescue centres are already bursting at the seams, from the big organisations to all the small, incredible rescues that people run from their own homes.With the pet boom during the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, where will this leave our cats?
It’s likely more cats will be abandoned as people can’t afford to look after them. Rescue centres will have to deal with the fallout and there will be more strain on them than ever. It doesn’t end there though.
We’ve made so much progress over the years in the way we care for our cats: medical treatment, microchipping, understanding of feline behaviour, and providing ever more what they need. Education has been the driver that has seen people be able to better care for their pets, but we still need to keep striving to help people learn about cats — the fact that rescue centres are so busy is proof of that.
To be clear, I think rescue centres are fantastic and do brilliant work, I just wish that in
the modern world we live in we didn’t have to rely on them as much. One thing I have never understood is that the problem is never seemingly tackled at source.Why is it so easy to make money from breeding cats? A good breeder is worth their weight in gold, but unscrupulous breeders can flood the ‘market’ with poorly bred cats.
How can we make it more difficult for unscrupulous breeders to succeed and allow dedicated breeders (whether pedigree or moggy) to produce healthy cats that owners deserve?
Wouldn’t regulation so that breeders are licensed help to put a stop to those who only care about profits? It could work that unless you are licensed, you’re not allowed to sell cats. So, either you’re a regulated breeder or if your cat gets accidentally pregnant, then you have to hand the ones you want to rehome to a rescue centre so you can’t profit.
At the moment, I don’t think enough people know about how to get a cat the right way. Even good, thoughtful people I know have got kittens off internet selling sites and not done their homework.
I love cats and I wish so many cats and owners didn’t have to suffer!
Anonymous cat lover
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Some really interesting points here. I would love to know what fellow readers think. If you have any views or comments, please write in — it’s an important discussion.
I wish so many cats and owners didn’t have to suffer.