THE COVENTRY RSPCA branch has faced an 11 per cent increase in the amount of abandoned cats from 2019 to 2024.
This marks one of the highest levels of abandonment the charity has seen and is driven by factors such as the rising cost of living, mandatory microchipping, increased vet fees, a lack of neutering, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The branch accommodates up to 80 cats and is at a full capacity daily and is often forces to turn cars away in need.
Other local animal charities, including Coventry Cats Protection and Coventry Cat Group, are also overwhelmed.
The RSPCA said six kittens were found abandoned in a taped-up cardboard box at Prologis Park in Coventry.
The kittens, now named Crunchie, Fudge, Malteser, Picnic, Rolo, and Twix, are currently at the centre awaiting rehoming.
Cats have been rescued from the side of the A45 and left with a note which said ‘I can’t afford to take care of these kittens anymore, please look after them for me.’
Lorraine Bryan-Arnold, centre manager, said: “This is the worst year for cat and kitten abandonment I have seen in my 20 years working at the RSPCA Coventry.
“We have increased our cattery over the last five years and are already at capacity.
“This is combined with a lack of interest in older cats, black cats, and those with medical issues that stay with us for longer.
“We are here to support the public but as an independent charity to the national RSPCA, when we are out of space we struggle to do more. “If we can raise funds and increase fosterers that will be two ways of helping this crisis.”
Visit: rspca-coventryanddistrict.org.uk/donate/ to donate, or email [email protected] to foster.
