Urgent Adoptober plea as record number of cats in RSPCA care.
Could you give rescue cats in Milton Keynes a loving new home
The RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting a rescue cat, amid an all-time high in numbers of moggies in the charity’s care including at the RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks Branch.
New data unveiled during the RSPCA’s Adoptober rehoming drive reveals that RSPCA centres and branches across England and Wales rehome more cats than any other animal - more than 17,000 last year or about two every single hour - but despite this there are still record numbers of cats in the charity’s care.
RSPCA records also showed cats are now waiting more than a week longer to find a new home - 40 days on average, a rise from 32.5 days in September last year (23% increase).*
The rise in numbers is partly due to several recent large-scale cruelty and neglect cases which have led to high numbers of cats - being taken into the RSPCA’s care.
Among the many cats being cared for at the RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks branch is Pip.
Pip is about eight years old and spent a lot of his years living in a bush near a retirement home in Milton Keynes. He would come and go as one of the local residents would feed him.
Sadly one day, he turned up completely covered in a really sticky substance so the branch took him in. They tried to remove the sticky substance but sadly he ended up having to be shaved from head to tail and has remained in their care since.
Vet checks also revealed that Pip is FIV positive. He is in very good health, unbelievably cuddly, so friendly and affectionate, but sadly gets overlooked because of his age and FIV status - and he would need to be an indoor cat.
A spokesperson for the branch said: “Pip is completely healthy, but because of his FIV status, we think some people are not considering adopting him.
“But Adopting an FIV positive cat can be really rewarding. Although nobody can predict the future, many FIV cats can potentially live long, healthy and full lives, just like a non-infected cat. They also have all the usual needs of any cat, such as a nutritious diet, mental stimulation and plenty of love!
“We have lots of information on the RSPCA website if you need to find out more and we are happy to chat to potential adopters to find out more.”
To find out more about Pip please visit the branch Facebook page and their adoption request form can be found on the website.
RSPCA cat welfare specialist, Alice Potter said: “We have an astonishing number of cats in our care who are looking for a new home.
“We’re experiencing an unprecedented rehoming crisis, with centres so full they are unable to accept any more cats - so most of the incoming animals are having to be placed in private catteries until spaces become free in our own rehoming centres.
“Despite the best efforts of those who care for them, life in a cattery can be stressful for cats so by finding them loving homes as quickly as possible we can also free up space for other cats who need our help.
“This month’s Adoptober rehoming campaign is encouraging more people to consider adopting one of the lonely cats featured on our Findapet website who are looking for a forever home.”
Alice added: “Sadly there are around 1,700 cats currently in the care of our national centres. We're hoping that other animal lovers can help by adopting them.
“Sometimes, people choose not to adopt particular types or colours of cats due to assumptions or ‘myths’ that are not evidence based.
“For example, we find that it can take black cats three times longer (29 days) to find homes than tabby cats (nine days), meaning not only are there more in RSPCA care but they are also staying for longer.
“There’s a cat for everyone: cute kittens, marvellous moggies, fireside felines and outdoor adventurers, we’ve got every kind of cat waiting for another chance at happiness.
“We always encourage prospective pet owners to look beyond appearance, breed and colour and instead look for a personality that matches you and your lifestyle. However, we also have purebred and pedigree cats coming into our care - so even those who have a particular breed or type in mind may find their perfect partner, without fuelling problematic commercial breeding.
“We’d urge anyone ready and able to adopt a rescue animal to fill in a ‘perfect match’ form with your local RSPCA centre or branch and they’ll let you know when an animal who matches you comes into their care.”
Getting a pet brings a lot of joy, but before committing, it’s important to understand the costs. The RSPCA pet cost calculator can help you prepare. It’s also important to consider pet insurance to protect against unexpected costs.
More information about cats and other animals available for adoption can be found on the RSPCA’s ‘Findapet’ webpage.
