RSPCA reveals it received 132 reports about cats in South Yorkshire since lockdown

Since the pandemic meant we all had to stay home, the charity has taken 324 cats into its care, more than any other pet, and fears that the situation is se t to get worse, as the traditional kitten season gets underway.

There is always an influx of youngsters at this time of year but lockdown means that it is harder for owners to neuter their pets and the charity’s experts fear they will see even more unwanted litters coming through its doors.

Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “We are currently caring for more cats than any other pet throughout the Coronavirus crisis.

“Every year, the scale of the cat overpopulation problem becomes even more apparent from May to September when most cats are born as the RSPCA is often overwhelmed with kittens.

“The kitten season this year will continue despite COVID-19 and so the charity is bracing itself for even more cats.”

Since the start of lockdown, there have been 6,630 incidents reported to the charity’s hotline about cats with 132 incidents reported in South Yorkshire.

These include a pregnant cat who was abandoned in Sheffield after their owners moved away and is now being fostered by Inspector Leanne Booth. The kittens are around four weeks old and have been joined by a single three-week-old kitten Luca who was found under some decking on his own at just a few days and has also been hand-reared by Leanne.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government and the charity has launched an emergency appeal for vital funding which is needed to help the RSPCA’s frontline staff continue this crucial work across England and Wales.

Samantha added: “Our frontline officers will continue to rescue as many cats as we can and our animal centre staff, hospitals and branches will carry on caring for the many cats com ing into our care throughout the crisis.”

The RSPCA has information on how to keep your cat entertained indoors on its website visit www.rspca.org.uk/covid

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