The Island’s older cats are overlooked in favour of kittens and young cats who are snapped up by adopters who don’t always consider which cat would suit their lifestyle, an Isle of Wight animal charity has reported.
Cats Protection Isle of Wight Cat Centre is experiencing a glut of older cats coming into care, prompting the charity to issue a plea on behalf of the island’s middle aged and senior cats.
Mel Read, Centre Manager, says:
“It’s never easy but we are finding it really tricky to find homes for adult cats. We have 13 cats aged nine years and over at our centre, including two aged 17 years, one of whom has already spent more than three months in care. Then we have six more old cats on our bulging waiting list, so there’s not let up in sight.”
On average this year, it has taken the centre in Ryde 26 days to home kittens and young cats aged up to one year old and 34 days to rehome adult cats aged one to 7 years. Cats aged more than seven years old take significantly longer – 44 days – to find anyone interested in giving them a home.
But senior cats (aged 11-15 years) get the toughest break. They are particularly hard hit, taking an average of 50 days to be rehomed on the Isle of Wight – the longest for any age group.
Mel adds:
“Senior cats can be especially loving, appreciative of regaining the home comforts they once had but have missed so badly. It’s always saddest to see them in care, confused and alone. They still have so much love to share.
Article continues below this advertisement “People looking to home a cat should look further than just kittens. For many, older cats can make ideal pets. They have established personalities so require less training than young cats and can often slot neatly into a new family life. It’s a crying shame that they are so often overlooked in favour of kittens, when they might not be best suited to a particular family.”
As well the charity’s matchmaking process to ensure cats are homed to suitable owners, Cats Protection has prepared an online checklist (www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/preparing-for-your-new-cat-or-kitten) to help prepare for a new pet.
Among the older residents at the Isle of Wight Cat Centre are these 5 loveable seniors:
- Mischa: This 17-year-old black female cat came in to care with two other cats when her owner died suddenly. She has started treatment for hyperthyroidism which should be manageable with low-dose medication and regular vet checks. She would make a perfect lap cat for an adult-only home.
- Corky: Despite his youthful appearance and good health, this 17-year-old black male cat has already spent more than three months in care. He previously enjoyed a long and happy life before his owner became unwell and was taken into care. He would make a loving family companion.
- Geri: This super-friendly tortie girl, aged 16 years, is still very active and loves sunning herself. Sadly, her owner was unable to take Geri when she moved home. She would suit a family home with a safe garden to enjoy some sun.
- Pingu and Tigger: This female bonded pair is simply adorable. Pingu, aged 16, is a black and white, while tabby Tigger is 13 years old. Due to their long history living alongside each other, they should be rehomed together.
Thanks to better welfare and vet treatments available, cats are now living longer, often into their late teens and even into their 20s.
To enquire about any of the older cats visit www.cats.org.uk/isleofwight, email [email protected] or call 03000 120251.
The problem is vet prices our cat 13 years old had a visit to vets cost us over £400 ..then advised heart check about £1000 !!! then £160 a month for a stiff joint jab…so we can’t and will not pay that so that’s why.Cat is ok so just adapt to her new condition..
People are wary of the sometimes huge vet bills for older pets.