Cat rescue centre '˜bursting at the seams' with unwanted moggies

A cat rescue centre has been left bursting at the seams and struggling to cope after a huge influx of unwanted moggies.
Roxy is among unwanted cats needing loving new homes SUS-160808-152728001Roxy is among unwanted cats needing loving new homes SUS-160808-152728001
Roxy is among unwanted cats needing loving new homes SUS-160808-152728001

Recently there has been a 26 per cent increase in the number of unwanted cats handed into Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate.

Staff say that throughout June, 129 cats and kittens came into the centre for rehoming, compared with 102 for the same period last year.

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The sharp increase, together with the summer holiday season when prospective owners may put off adopting a new pet, has left the centre struggling to find enough homes for the cats in its care.

With over 170 cats at the centre, staff have now been forced to open areas of the centre usually off-limits to the public in order to ensure all the available cats get seen by visitors.

And with a further 42 cats on the waiting list to come in, staff say they desperately need to hear from anyone considering adopting a cat.

Centre deputy manager Tania Marsh said: “Normally our two main rehoming wings are able to accommodate all the cats in our care that are available for rehoming.

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“However, we had a very busy month in June with a large number of cats handed into our care. This came at a time when many people may put off adopting a new cat until after their summer holidays. The knock-on effect of both of these factors mean we are at bursting point.

“The two main rehoming wings are full, yet we have many more cats in our admissions wings that have had their health checks and are ready to be rehomed. Because we can’t move these down into our rehoming wings, we’re having to invite the public into the staff-only areas to see all the cats in our care.

“We’d really like to ask that if people are considering adopting a cat, they come and visit us as soon as they can. With so many cats in our care, we are sure we’ll have cats which will suit all sorts of homes – from young families to pensioners.

“It’s always sad when we are so full with unwanted cats. But it is even more heart-breaking to see the same cats overlooked time and time again.

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“We have some cats in our care who are really lovely characters but for one reason or another they have struggled to find a new owner. When we are this busy, it’s even harder for these long-staying cats to find a new home.”

Among the cats currently in the centre’s care is tortoiseshell puss Roxy who was handed into the adoption centre in April as she was finding life difficult with another cat and a toddler in the household.

Staff say that, although she can be shy at first, Roxy is very friendly and prefers to stay close to home. “She would like a calm, peaceful home where she can curl up on her new owner’s lap.”

To find out more about adopting any of the cats in the care of the National Cat Adoption Centre, email [email protected] or visit the centre seven days a week from 10am until 4pm. The National Cat Adoption Centre is situated in Chelwood Gate, on the A275 between Wych Cross and Danehill. For a map and directions to the National Cat Adoption Centre, please visit www.cats.org.uk/find-us/find-the-ncc/