The RSPCA is concerned a boom in kitten buying could lead to more cats coming into rescue centres and needing new homes, as the charity reports there were 81 cat incidents on the Isle of Wight this year.
This July saw Google searches for ‘Kittens near me’ increase sixfold compared to the same period last year (a 667% increase). During the lockdown, there has also been a 188% increase in searches for kittens within just a few months.
Many people have found they now have more time on their hands during the lockdown, so it is unsurprising that many have sought a pet to keep them company. However, the RSPCA would always urge anyone thinking of getting a pet to consider whether they can care for them in the long-term – and not just for a pandemic.
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, said:
“It’s fantastic that so many people are interested in bringing a cat into their home this year. However, with such high increases in people searching for kittens online, it’s important that prospective owners are doing their research and not buying a kitten on impulse. This means making sure they have the time, money and resources to care for a cat for the rest of their lives, but also ensuring that if buying a kitten they are buying a healthy and happy kitten from a responsible breeder”.
Since the start of the year, the RSPCA has received more than 45,000 incidents relating to cats meaning there are lots of cats in the RSPCA’s care looking for homes. The RSPCA would always encourage people to adopt a rescue cat instead.
Cats are popular pets with the charity rehoming 24,095 cats last year – that’s one cat rehomed every 20 minutes across England and Wales and 132 cats rehomed on the Isle of Wight.
To offer an RSPCA rescue cat a new home please visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet to find your purr-fect match.
Anyone who buys a little kitty puss MUST realise once this cute little fluffy bundle reaches breeding age, they will breed and breed and breed. Be responsible, do the right thing and get your cat sterilised or the rehoming centres will become overwhelmed very quickly. Please listen and do the right thing.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Excellent post. Let’s hope people listen.
Thank you!