Media release from Cats Protection
Cats Protection has today issued an emergency appeal in response to a dramatic rise in the number of unwanted cats needing the charity’s help.
The cat charity, which looks after up to 7,000 unwanted cats at any one time, has experienced a sudden increase in the numbers of cats being brought to parts of its 253 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres in recent weeks.
Among the worst-affected is a branch that has taken in six-times more cats than normal and an adoption centre that is inundated with a record number of 100 unwanted kittens.
As a result, the charity has issued an emergency appeal asking people to make a donation to stop the situation getting any worse.
Peter Hepburn, the charity’s Chief Executive said: “This surge in unwanted cats is extremely distressing. It is a crisis for the cats and it piles additional pressure onto our volunteers. Our network of branches and centres are already stretched to the limit looking after the cats in their care.
“I fear this could push the charity to breaking point if it continues and leave us unable to help the many thousands of unwanted cats out there so we are urgently asking for help. For example, just £16 could enable us to care for one extra cat – providing them with food, veterinary care and a warm place to sleep.”
If you would like to make a donation, please call Cats Protection’s national Helpline on 03000 12 12 12 or visit www.cats.org.uk.
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For media enquiries, please contact the Media Office on 01825 741 911 or email media.office@cats.org.uk
- Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, helping 193,000 unwanted cats and kittens each year through a national network of 253 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres.
- Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland). The charity’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
- Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.
- More information about the work of the charity can be found at www.cats.org.uk