Pen blocking crisis at Cats Protection

A crisis is developing at Cats Protection’s flagship adoption centre near Haywards Heath where unwanted feline pensioners are blocking the pens needed for the constant intake of younger cats.

The number of senior citizens that have been with the charity for four months or longer currently stands at 46 – a figure which has more than doubled since the beginning of the year and represents a quarter of all the cats currently in care.

As the manager of the National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate Danielle Hart explains, older cats tend not to be as popular with potential owners as younger cats and are often overlooked.

“While 10 years ago the household moggy could have been expected to live to around 13, today’s life expectancy is much higher and we have seen many cats surviving to their late-teens and early-20s in remarkably good health,” said Danielle. “Although this is good news for them, unfortunately, it places us under massive strain because older cats can block up pen spaces for many months. It’s such a shame because older cats have much more settled natures - their wandering days are behind them so they can offer extremely valuable companionship.”

Older cats currently at the centre who are in desperate need of new homes are Smokey Joe, a 12-year-old black male who has been with the charity since September after he was unsettled by the arrival of his owner’s new baby, and 15-year-old grey-and-white female Silver who was put up for adoption when her owner moved house.

“Nobody wants these poor cats to stay here longer than they have to but sadly older cats often have nowhere else to go,” said Danielle. “Although we do our very best to care for them, life in a cat pen is no substitute for a permanent home so I would urge people to consider adopting one of our golden oldies.”

If you consider that you could give a home to one (or more of course) these 'Golden Oldie' cats, then please give the main office at Hayward's Heath a ring on 08707 708 649. They would more than likely assist with transport back home.