Pet charity overwhelmed with homeless kittens

The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity, has been overwhelmed by an influx of unwanted kittens and pregnant stray cats. The charity is appealing for cat owners to ensure their cats are neutered to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens.

Sadly, the charity takes in a large number of kittens every year but adoption centres say the current number of pregnant cats and kittens brought into their centres has not been seen before.

Alan Maskell, Blue Cross centre manager at Cambridge said: “We are staggered by the recent surge of abandoned kittens being brought into The Blue Cross. The problem illustrates just how important it is for owners to neuter their cats. In Cambridge we’re currently looking after 30 homeless young kittens plus 37 more kittens and young cats on a waiting list who will come to us when we have space to care for them. The number of unwanted cats we see every year could so easily be prevented by neutering cats as soon as they are old enough for the procedure.”

All Blue Cross animals are neutered before being rehomed. The charity also offers subsidised neutering for pets of people on a low income to help reduce the number of unwanted litters, and keep dogs and cats healthy. With prior agreement the charity will contribute towards the cost of neutering at owners’ usual veterinary surgery.To qualify, pet owners need to be on a state pension with no other form of income, or on a low income and receiving means tested benefits. To find out more information on the neutering scheme of about adopting a homeless kitten please contact your nearest Blue Cross centre. All contact details are listed on The Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk under ‘Find my nearest centre’.

Media contact: Louise Lee
Direct line: 0207 932 4066
Mobile: 07880 781637

Notes to editors

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.

The Blue Cross neuters, vaccinates and microchips all pets before they are rehomed. Animals also receive six weeks’ free pet insurance.