• About Cats Protection

Cats Protection is the UK's largest cat welfare charity

We share our lives with cats. They bring happiness to millions of us every day. Yet too many cats don’t get the care and kindness they deserve.

We stand up for every cat. 

At the forefront of research on cat welfare we use our decades of experience to help all cats and support owners to keep their pets happy and healthy.

Our campaigns change laws to give cats more protection and we continue to call for a better deal for cats.

In every corner of the country our passionate volunteers, employees and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Lifeline Together Spring 2024 Social Share
What we do

Find out more about what we do. From our services dedicated to cat owners through to our campaigning work.

What we do
about cats protection banner
Why we're here

Find out about our purpose, vision and strategy for helping cats.

Our vision
Our trustees
Corporate partners
Our structure and management
Annual Review and reports

Our CATS report

In 2025 we spoke to over 10,000 people, from lifelong cat lovers to potential owners. The result? Up-to-date cat statistics on all things feline, from cat behaviour to ownership with the increased cost of living.

Read our CATS report for 2025

Ginger and white tabby being stroked

Our history

In nearly 100 years, we've rehomed over two million cats and kittens and championed the rights of cats across the UK. But where did it all begin?

In the 1920s, cats were not seen as the companion animals we know and love today. Instead of much-loved pets, they were thought of as pests and many people didn't understand how to care for them.

You've helped us to drive nearly 100 years of change for cats

In 1927, a group of like-minded cat lovers gathered together at Caxton Hall in London to raise their concerns about cat welfare, forming the original Cats Protection League.

Since its humble beginnings, our cat-loving volunteers and employees have continued to champion cat welfare.

Surviving war and recessions and defying the odds at every turn, they have worked to help as many cats as possible, ensuring our aim remains the same as it did in 1927.

There's still so much more to do

We continue to campaign and make life better for cats - because we believe that life is better with cats. 

Our timeline

  • 1927: Cats Protection is founded as the Cats Protection League by animal welfare campaigner, Jessey Wade
  • 1931: The Cat magazine is launched and is still printed to this day. It is the oldest, longest-running cat magazine in the world
  • 1935: Charity headquarters are set up in Slough and remain here until a move to Sussex in 1978
  • 1940: The Tailwavers Scheme is introduced to help relieve suffering among cats in the blitzed-out areas during World War 2
  • 1949: Cats Protection formally begins to champion neutering to control cat numbers
  • 1950s: A legacy donation enables the charity to open its first cat centre. There are now over 30 centres across the UK today
  • 1960s: Cats Protection launches its first neutering voucher scheme, soon to be extended nationwide
  • 1970s: Cats Protection charity shops begin to open around the country
  • 1980s: The number of volunteer teams across the UK triples
  • 1990: Cats Protection publishes its first teaching pack for use in schools
  • 1994: Cats Protection introduces microchipping at all its centres
  • 1998: The charity changes its name to Cats Protection
  • 2003: The first National Cat Awards are held, celebrating stories of cat companionship across the UK
  • 2004: Cats Protection begins helping cat owners fleeing domestic abuse via the Dogs Trust Freedom Project. This develops into our Lifeline service
  • 2017: The charity celebrates growing its invaluable volunteer community to 10,000 people
  • 2020: The first annual Cats and Their Stats (CATS) Report is released, the most comprehensive survey about cats in the UK
  • 2022: Cats Protection launches an ambitious 10-year strategy which will positively impact the lives of millions of cats and help people see the world through cats’ eyes
  • 2023: The Cats Protection brand is refreshed with a bold new look and logo to broaden its appeal. The Cats Got Your Tongue? podcast is launched, interviewing celebrity cat owners
  • 2024: Compulsory microchipping for all cats in England is made law, something Cats Protection actively campaigned for
Find a Cat
Donate
About us