With kitten season upon us, this year is set to see a surge, thanks to the number of unneutered cats caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to figures from the RSPCA, there has been an unprecedented increase in cat breeding recently, with over a million cats still unneutered.
The pandemic is said to have caused the number of neutered cats to fall from 91 to 86 per cent in 2020. This resulted in increased demands for pets coupled with difficulties accessing veterinary care.
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In the UK, there are around 10 million cats but with long waiting lists for routine procedures such as neutering caused by the successive lockdowns, unwanted litters are being.
Rescue charities are under pressure as the number of cats increases. Last year Bristol Animal Rescue Centre took in 296 cats and neutered over 400.
Dr Damian Pacini, a principal vet at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre said: “On average, we neuter about 40 cats a month at the moment.”
In response to the crisis, the Centre is offering low-cost cat neutering for eligible cat owners who are on low incomes in the Bristol area, as part of a campaign that was originally launched during the lockdown.
Under this scheme, the cost of cat castration is £30 and spays for £45 to eligible pet owners across the city.
“We are here to support low-income pet owners in Bristol and ensure that no cat gets left behind,” added Dr Pacin.
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