The RSPCA has launched a special rehoming appeal for nine timid long-stay cats in Kent who are looking to find their second chance at happiness.
Many of the cats were rescued from the same multi-cat household where they had little socialisation and interaction with humans which is believed to have contributed to their timidness. There is also senior kittizen Ribbons who is looking for a quiet retirement pad; plus shy girl Tina who needs a patient and loving owner.
They are being cared for by the RSPCA Ashford, Tenterden & District Branch and hope to be rehomed this Adoptober – the charity’s month-long rehoming campaign.
Their plea for a home comes as the RSPCA reveals it is facing a rehoming crisis across England and Wales. New figures show that in 2023, 42% more animals arrived at the RSPCA than were adopted.
Rehoming centres across England and Wales are at near or full capacity, with pets either waiting to be adopted, or being assessed for adoption – leaving countless dogs, cats and other animals still in emergency boarding waiting for a place at a rehoming centre.
In response, the RSPCA – which is marking its 200th year – is launching its annual ‘Adoptober’ rehoming campaign; urging animal lovers to adopt a pet from a rescue centre or RSPCA branch rather than buying from a breeder to help ease the spiralling rehoming crisis.
Lisa Dennis, manager at Ashford Garden cattery said: “We are inundated with cats from a multicat household at the moment who may need a little extra love and care to help bring them out of their shell – but it will be so worth it! As the saying goes, cats have nine lives, and each of these nine cats are looking to start their new life with a loving owner who can give them the care and love they deserve.”
Glover
Glover is a three-year-old black and white cat who came to the cattery from this multicat household where there had been little or no interaction with people which has led to him being timid in nature and hiding from the cattery staff and volunteers. However, he is now making good progress, he will sit on his shelf and watch the world go by quite happily. He will need a patient and kind owner who understands that he will need time and space to settle in before he will feel confident enough to spend time with his hooman or show affection. He just needs someone to give him a chance.
Beanie and Bowler
Beanie and Bowler were also rescued from the multicat household and are a pair of brothers who could be rehomed together, separately, or with another companion from the cattery. Beanie is very shy but slowly gaining confidence and will venture outside of his safe hiding place from time to time to see what’s going on outside. Bowler is a little more confident and helps to bring Beanie out of his shell. These three-year-old black cats are looking for someone who can give them time, love and patience to build a forever-bond with the shy duo.
Cameron
Cameron is another shy guy from the multi-cat household. He is a black and white cat and around three years old. He is slowly gaining confidence and is happiest when he can see other cats around him and can interact and play with them. He hides away less and less and is improving all the time. He would appreciate a home with another cat who can give him the reassurance and confidence he needs.
Zion
Zion is a two-year-old male black cat also from the same household with little socialisation. He was quite worried when he arrived at Ashford Garden Cattery but with some gentle encouragement, he is starting to come out of his shell and will make a wonderful companion. He has moved into a pen with his ‘housemate’ Bowler which has helped him feel comfortable in the cattery so he would ideally like to be rehomed with Bowler or find another friendly cat to be ‘roomies’ with. He would prefer a home with no dogs and families with older children who are calm and gentle.
Ribbons
Senior kittizenRibbons is a 14-year-old black and white female cat who is looking for a lovely retirement pad. She is a friendly and relaxed older lady who loves attention from people and relaxing in her bed. She has hyperthyroidism which is stabilised with daily medication which Ribbons takes very well from the hand or in her wet food. Her irritable bowel syndrome is also controlled through four very small meals daily. She would like access to a garden to enjoy some sunbathing and would prefer to be the only pet in the home.
Tina
Tina is a two-year-old calico cat who is quite shy but is beginning to learn to trust new people – especially when cat treats are involved! She loves to chill on her bed and watch the world go by and would benefit from a home where she is allowed her space to chill out when she needs it. She would benefit from some TLC from a family who are patient and understanding and willing to give her time to gain her trust. She could live as an only pet or she could live with a friendly male cat.
Mittens and Socks
Mittens and Socks are two young black and white brothers who were rescued from a multicat household and so are quite shy. They could live together or be rehomed separately. They would like access to the outdoors as they haven’t had that previously, and they would like to live in a calm house with patient people who will give them time to gain confidence and allow their true personalities to shine through.
For more information on rehoming any of these cats, please visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/kent-ashford-tenterden-and-district-branch/findapet.
Last year, while the RSPCA’s 14 rehoming centres and 135 independently-run branches found new homes for an incredible 28,208 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, that was far fewer than the 40,118 animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales.
Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “Our rescue centres are jam-packed, and across the board, we’ve been seeing more animals coming to us than we are rehoming.
“We are issuing a rallying cry to anyone considering adding a pet to their family to step in and help by giving a rescue pet a second chance instead of buying from breeders.
“Our rehoming centres have reached crisis point and are full-to-bursting, creating a bottle-neck where we’re having to care for rescued animals at emergency boarding kennels and catteries.
“Last year, across England and Wales, the RSPCA took in over 40,000 dogs, cats and other animals, but only around seven out of 10 of those – 28,208 – were rehomed. This increasing discrepancy between animal intake and rehoming numbers is a worrying trend, and means so many animals are still waiting for a home”.
Karen added: “We are also still seeing the effect of the pandemic on dogs and an increase in those coming into care with complex behaviour, which is contributing to the pressure for spaces at rehoming centres. This is compounded by the cost of living crisis with fees associated with their pet care beyond the means of some people at the moment.
“The cost of living seems to be a driving factor across the board. Our recent Animal Kindness Index found that 78% of pet-owners in the East Midlands felt that the cost of looking after their pet had become slightly or much more expensive, with owners finding the costs of pet food and vet bills higher.
“But our amazing teams are doing all they can. Our 135 independently run branches continue to rehome at a phenomenal pace and we are extremely proud of the work that they do.They play a vital role in local communities across England and Wales and whilst they feel the pressure of taking in more animals they have done an incredible job finding so many loving new homes.”
The RSPCA hopes its month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign will increase adoption rates across England and Wales. The drive celebrates the benefits of rescue pets, highlights the many animals that are waiting to find their perfect ‘forever’ match and dispels myths about rescue pet rehoming.
Karen added: “There’s nothing more heartwarming than a successful adoption, and the wonderful staff at our branches and centres celebrate every time an animal finds their forever home.
“So if you’re looking for a pet – whether it’s a cat or dog, a donkey or a bearded dragon – please visit our user-friendly ‘Find A Pet’ webpage and ‘adopt don’t shop’ this Adoptober.”
