The average stay for a cat in our care is around 40 days.

Sign up and help cats

But that’s the average. Some cats spend hundreds of days in our care, not knowing when their second chance will come.   

Make the most of the longest day of the year by taking on a fundraising challenge from dawn to dusk (or whatever you can manage!) to support our longest-stay feline friends.  

This summer solstice, we’re asking you to Stream for Cats in a marathon streaming challenge to help support cats who have spent far too long waiting for a home.  

As a thank you, anyone who raises over £100 will receive an exclusive Cats Protection ‘longest day’ sleep eye mask, perfect for a post-challenge catnap! 

Date: 21 June 2026 

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black cat in a cat pen

Long stay cats 

The average long-stay cat is in care for 126 days. That’s three times as long as others.  

Older cats, shy cats, or cats that need a little extra help often take longer to find homes, even though they deserve just as much love. Your fundraising can help provide them with food, care and treatment while they wait for their second chance at happiness.  

In 2024 nearly 900 cats were in care for over 90 days, at a combined total of over 100,000 days. 

It costs an estimated £2.5 million per year to look after our long-stay cats, with £20,000 alone spent on food. 

What you can do 

We know that life is better with cats. And what could be better than using those extra hours of daylight to highlight the plight of cats in need? 

Use Tiltify or JustGiving to collect donations for this massive challenge, while at the same time raising awareness about the longest-stay cats in our care and all the support they need. 

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A black cat

Help cats like Mercedes 

At 18 years old, Mercedes is one of the older cats we’ve had in care at Chelmsford Cat Centre, and one of the most affectionate.  

All-black with a heart of gold, Mercedes arrived into our network of volunteers foster care and quickly stole hearts with her gentle nature. After 125 days with fosterers, she’s now back in the centre where more people can meet her and fall for her the way we have.  

Mercedes has hyperthyroidism, a common condition in older cats where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. This can lead to weight loss and increased appetite, but thankfully, it’s easily managed with daily medication, which Mercedes takes like a pro, no fuss at all. While it’s a simple condition to treat, the need for lifelong medication can sometimes make it harder for cats like Mercedes to find a home, as potential adopters may worry about ongoing care. Sadly this has contributed to Mercedes being in our care for 125 days.  

That hasn’t dampened Mercedes’ spirit. She’s a loving companion who enjoys curling up on the sofa, scritches, and being brushed. She shows no interest in going outside, making her the perfect indoor cat for someone looking for a calm, affectionate presence in their life.  

Mercedes is now looking for her perfect retirement home; a quiet, adult-only household with no other pets, where she can spend her golden years surrounded by affection. She may be 18, but Mercedes has plenty of love left to give! 

Ready to start? 

Getting involved is easy. Sign up today and you’ll get all the info needed to get started on your Stream for Cats fundraising journey. 

  1. Sign up and choose your date. 
  2. Set up your fundraising page on Tiltify.
  3. Promote your stream.  
  4. Raise funds, spread awareness, help cats.  

Don’t want to use Tiltify? Why not try JustGiving instead? 

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Find out everything you need to know about our cat-loving community of streamers and how your event could make a better life for cats.

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Fundraise your way

This campaign might not be for you, or maybe you just want to do your own thing! Sign up to fundraise your own way. Fundraising streams are really flexible and can be tailored to what will fit you and your community best, all while benefitting cats and kittens. Choose your activity, set your date and create your page!

Find inspiration from our top tips and ideas for successful streaming and information on the streaming basics.
Still have questions? Head to our FAQs or email the team at stream@cats.org.uk

With your support, we can make a better life for cats. 

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