Owners urged to neuter pets amid influx of abandoned kittens

Six kittens were rescued at two days old in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

An animal rescue centre is warning cat owners not to "get caught out this summer", as unneutered strays have caused an influx of kittens.

Staff at Bath Cats and Dogs Home say they are currently caring for almost 30 kittens and their mums, many of which are believed to be abandoned.

The high cost of living has left many pet owners struggling to care for an unplanned litter of kittens, and a decline in adoption leaves them without a permanent home.

As the weather warms up, cats are more likely to roam, interact, and find food – prompting the shelter to urge owners to neuter their pets to prevent unwanted litters.

Cats can become pregnant as early as four months old and, if not neutered, may produce up to three litters a year – potentially resulting in hundreds of kittens over their lifetime.

This contributes to the overpopulation of surrendered or abandoned cats in shelters and rescue organisations, which are already struggling to stay afloat.

Staff at the animal shelter said it costed about £1,700 to house a mum and a litter of kittens for a three-month stay.

On one day in May, a total of 15 cats arrived at the rescue shelter.

These tabby kittens, and their mum Rosalina, are now being cared for by a rescue centre in Bath

Chrissie Anderton rescued an abandoned cat and her six two-day-old kittens from a field in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, and cared for them for two weeks.

"Having four pets already, sadly, the high cost of keeping seven more cats just wasn't possible in the long term," she said.

"It was hard to say goodbye when I took them to the brilliant Bath Cats and Dogs Home, but I know they are in the safest place and will have a happy future."

The charity has recently built an extension to cope with the increase in demand for accommodation and surgical theatres

In 2024, the rescue centre performed 185 cat neutering operations in their vet suite, which potentially prevented 1,700 unwanted kittens out in the community.

"It is really tough when abandoned pregnant cats or mums and their kittens are left to fend for themselves in the wild, with no food and at risk from predators," a spokesperson said.

"Luckily, some of our current rescue cats were rescued by RSPCA inspectors or members of the public who brought them to us or via a local vet."

The charity expects to see a record number of kittens being born on its site over the next few months and has launched an appeal, called Feline Summer, calling for donations to help care for them.

'Please reach out'

The 2024 RSPCA Kindness Report revealed that 78% of pet owners say the cost of caring for their pets has increased over the past year.

Nicola Charman, training and behaviour manager at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, warned: "Don't get caught out with unwanted kittens this summer, ask your vet about getting your cat neutered early to avoid unwanted litters.

"If you find an abandoned cat with kittens, please reach out to your local vet or animal rescue centres for help.

"We're here to help but it stretches our resources to the limit caring for so many kittens, so please support our appeal A feline summer so we can continue picking up the pieces for cats in need."