Peak in unwanted cats
Staff at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home have reported an upsurge in the number of unwanted cats coming through its doors.
According to the charity, its London centre is currently housing more than 150 cats, the most it has ever had in its care.
The centre has also taken 2,600 calls from cat owners seeking help since the beginning of this year - a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Lindsay Quinlan, head of the centre's cattery, says: "Our cattery currently has the highest number of cats we can ever remember having at one time… On any given month we could receive in the region of 500 calls from cat owners seeking our help.”
According to staff at the charity, the upsurge in unwanted cats is thought to be partly due to the rising number of litters that accompany the summer months, as warmer weather prompts cats to seek a mate.
The charity is appealing for those considering buying a cat to adopt one instead as its centres reach capacity.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
