Cats Protection - described as the UK's leading cat welfare charity - has revealed that there has been a 34% increase in cat abandonments this year, 2024, compared to last year. The video below starts off with that statement and is part of their appeal for funding to cover the rising costs of cat care after they have supported and helped 184,000 cats last year.
They say that on average cat spent 39 days in their care before being rehomed.
In the first half of 2024 veterinary treatment at Cat Protection cost £50,000. Remarkably, while they were filming their Christmas appeal for donations a cat was abandoned on the set. The cat was left at the centre and discovered by their Head of Clinical Services who was there for the filming. They named her Crumpet and she is now up for adoption. A reminder of how often people abandon cats in the UK and elsewhere.
Of course, the longer that cats are in their care the more expensive it is to care for them. And although the report I'm reading doesn't state this, I suspect that the problem is at 'both ends'. What I mean is there are more abandonments as stated - considerably more as it happens - and I suspect, too, that there are fewer adopters which means the cats stay longer within the protection of Cat Protection.
And this must come down to financial stress within the homes of many British families. This is probably due to post-Covid conditions when there was high inflation. And the general picture in the UK is one of the country under financial stress.
There is no money left to spend as it was all spent on Covid. The coffers are empty. The national debt equals the GDP of the country which I think the first time in the country's history or at least since World War II.
The current Chancellor is looking to manipulate the accounts to see whether she can find ways to borrow more money. The picture is dire to be honest.
Here are some reasons for the increase in feline abandonments.
The 30% increase in cat abandonments in the UK last year, as reported by Cats Protection, is largely attributed to several socio-economic factors that have put more strain on cat owners. Here are some key reasons behind this spike:
1. Cost of Living Crisis: With inflation and rising costs of basic goods and services, many households are struggling to afford essentials, let alone pet care expenses. Veterinary bills, pet food, and other necessities have become less affordable, leading some owners to make the difficult decision to give up their pets.
2. Increased Housing Instability: More people are renting due to high home ownership costs, and some landlords impose restrictions on pets. With more frequent moves or evictions in the rental sector, many cat owners face situations where they can’t bring their pets along, leading to more surrenders.
3. Impact of Pandemic Adoptions: During COVID-19 lockdowns, there was a surge in pet adoptions as people sought companionship. However, as routines normalized, some found themselves unprepared for the long-term commitment or unable to maintain pet care amidst life changes, such as returning to in-office work.
4. Veterinary Care Accessibility: Veterinary fees have increased, and some people are facing long wait times or challenges accessing pet care. Financial barriers in accessing routine or emergency care have contributed to owners feeling unable to care for their pets properly.
5. Lack of Awareness about Support Options: Many pet owners don’t know that there are charities and organizations that can help with pet food or veterinary care during financial hardship. Without knowledge of these resources, some may feel that abandonment is their only choice.
Cats Protection, along with other animal welfare organizations, is advocating for better awareness and support systems for pet owners. They hope that increased assistance and affordable pet care resources can help prevent future surges in abandonments.
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