The situation concerning abandoned pets in the UK has reached alarming levels, with a more than 30% increase in the number of cats and kittens left behind this year, according to a prominent animal rescue charity. This organization has characterized the situation as a “deepening crisis.”
Last year, Cats Protection assisted approximately 184,000 cats, averaging around 500 each day. However, due to a staggering 34% rise in abandonment cases during the first seven months of 2024, the charity has issued an urgent call for donations to support their efforts.
“We understand that tough times can lead to heartbreaking decisions. However, abandoning cats puts them in great danger,” said Mike Elliott, the feline welfare and operations director for Cats Protection. He highlighted that the charity spent £50,000 on basic veterinary care in just the first half of this year. “Right now, abandoned cats are hungry, cold, and afraid.”
The UK has traditionally prided itself on being a nation of pet lovers. However, the lifestyle shifts brought on by the pandemic saw a notable spike in pet ownership, with over 3 million households acquiring a pet. The demand for puppies, in particular, surged during lockdowns.
Yet this initial boom has now turned into a bust, as animal welfare charities see an increasing number of households struggling to care for pets or unable to afford essentials like food, pet insurance, and veterinary bills, all of which have risen significantly.
The rising number of homeless cats coincides with increased scrutiny over the costs associated with pet ownership. The Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s competition regulator, is examining the veterinary market due to concerns that pet owners may be overpaying for treatments and medications.
As potential pet owners become more cautious, Cats Protection reports that it now takes an average of 39 days to rehome a single animal. “We’re in urgent need of support to ensure we can continue providing cats with the food, shelter, and care they need to stay safe,” Elliott emphasized.
In fact, cat ownership is declining in the UK, with the pet population currently at 10.6 million, down from 11 million in 2023, according to the charity’s annual report, Cats and their Stats (Cats) 2024. Recent research indicated that one in three cat owners feel significantly affected by the current financial climate, while nearly one in five (18%) reported cutting back on essential veterinary services, such as vaccinations or microchipping.
This issue extends beyond just cats. The RSPCA has been urging the public to adopt pets instead of buying them, as the ongoing cost of living crisis has led to overcrowding in their rescue centers.
New figures show that the average waiting time for dogs, cats, and rabbits to be adopted has increased by nearly a third over the past five years, from 31.7 days in 2019 to 41.4 days in 2023. Consequently, many rehoming centers are running out of space and cannot accept new animals, resulting in a spike in private boarding costs, which the charity estimates is around £500,000 per month.
Karen Colman, the RSPCA’s head of animal logistics and welfare oversight, stated, “We’re currently facing an animal welfare crisis. Spaces at our rehoming centers are like gold dust. The longer rescue animals remain unadopted, the longer others will have to wait for a space at our rehoming centers.”
