RSPCA urges public to do their research after 412 cat incidents in West Sussex
Figures show Google searches for kittens have soared this summer compared to last year.
The RSPCA has reported there were 412 cat incidents in West Sussex this year.
The animal rescue charity is concerned a boom in kitten buying could lead to more cats going into rescue centres and needing new homes.
This July saw Google searches for ‘Kittens near me’ increase sixfold compared to the same period last year (a 667 per cent increase).
During the coronavirus lockdown, there has also been an 188 per cent increase in searches for kittens.
The RSPCA has said that many people have found they now have more time on their hands during the lockdown, so have sought a pet to keep them company.
However, the charity would "always urge anyone thinking of getting a pet to consider whether they can care for them in the long-term - and not just for a pandemic".
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, said:
"It’s fantastic that so many people are interested in bringing a cat into their home this year.
"However, with such high increases in people searching for kittens online, it’s important that prospective owners are doing their research and not buying a kitten on impulse.
"This means making sure they have the time, money and resources to care for a cat for the rest of their lives, but also ensuring that if buying a kitten they are buying a healthy and happy kitten from a responsible breeder.
"It’s true that we see much higher cases of puppy farms than unscrupulous kitten breeders, but it does happen which is why it’s so important to do your research and make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller.
"Sadly, we do see cases of cats coming into our care who have been bought without the correct vaccinations, care or attention and the results can not only be devastating for the cats themselves but also the new owners who have to provide the time and cost it takes to look after these very poorly kittens.
"This is why the RSPCA and other cat charities have come together to create The Kitten Checklist to provide vital information, such as ensuring you see the kitten with its mum and siblings in the place where they were bred, and peace of mind for anyone looking to bring a kitten into their home."
Since the start of the year, the RSPCA has had more than 45,000 incidents relating to cats.
During the lockdown, there has been a 114 per cent increase in the amount of people searching for cats to adopt on the RSPCA’s Find a Pet page compared to the previous year.
Alice added it is "great" to see so many people looking to adopt a rescue cat:
"We are braced for a kitten season boom next year as routine neutering procedures had to be put on hold during the lockdown.
"This means that whilst the UK is already facing a cat overpopulation crisis, we may now see even more unplanned litters of kittens.
"If you’ve got a kitten during lockdown, it’s so important to get them booked into your vets for a spay or a snip.
"Kittens can get pregnant from just four months old and there may be a longer wait than usual at some vet practices due to the pandemic, so it’s important to get them booked in early.
"We believe neutering from four-months-old can help tackle the overpopulation crisis and ensure we don’t see more unwanted litters being born and putting extra strain on rescue centres like the RSPCA."
The charity rehomed more than 24,000 cats last year - around one cat rehomed every 20 minutes across England and Wales - and 265 cats rehomed in West Sussex.
Under the current Covid rehoming protocols, anyone interested in fostering or adopting an animal from the RSPCA should visit the website to see which animals are available near them and check with their local centre for the current process applicable in that area.
Donations can be made to the RSPCA online.