VIDEO: Cat crisis as Wirral animal centre looks to re-home 138 cats

Animal centre manager Kay Hawthorn with Kylie, one of the cats currently looking for a new home. Picture by Emma Rigby.

Staff at the RSPCA Wirral Animal Centre, in Wallasey, say they are snowed under with more and more cats coming in on a weekly basis.

There are currently 138 cats and kittens in need of help and with the Cross Lane centre full to the brim, Upton Vets is being used as an overflow.

Centre manager Kay Hawthorn told the Globe the problem is down to people not getting their cats neutered.

“We’re trying to find homes for all these mums and kittens but at the same time we’ve got even more cats that are still coming in. We can’t turn them anyway so we’re constantly full.”

It comes as after four kittens were found dumped in a box outside the centre earlier this week. The cats - named after Big Bang Theory characters Leonard, Amy, Penny and Sheldon - are now looking for a new home. 

Kay added: “It’s madness and it’s because people are not neutering their cats. People will get a cat and not get it neutered and it has kittens then six months later those have kittens too.

“We have a snip and chip voucher here which is £35 for everyone so there’s no excuse.”

Another problem faced by the centre is that the older cats are often overlooked for the fluffier, “cuter”, kittens.

Kay said: “Someone comes in and re-homes a kitten but we’re still left with four kittens. That’s where the whole process closes down. Often the kittens are re-homed and the mum is still here.

“This part of the year is lot quieter for re-homing because people are on holiday but it’s the busiest time for cats coming in. Some of our cats have been here for more than five months.”

Out of the 138 cats currently being cared for at the centre, a large number of them are black or black and white – known to be the hardest to re-home.

Through no fault of their own, black and black and white cats are overlooked time and time again, with most people choosing what they deem “prettier” coloured pets. Even black kittens are often left until last.

Kay said: “People will dismiss them and walk straight by – get to know them a bit first before you just walk past.”

The Globe’s Emma Rigby was able to get a cheeky cuddle with a few of the centre’s inhabitants – including a rather adorable black and white kitten in need of a furr-ever home.

Here are just a few of the cats currently in the care of the RSPCA's Wirral branch.

1. Ashlea


Two-year-old Ashlea has been at the centre since March 26. 

Kay said: "Ashlea came to us after being found in someone's shed with newborn kittens. They have all been rehomed so now it's her turn for a little love and TLC. She would prefer a quieter home where she can have attention with out too much fuss."
 

2. Bella

One-year-old Bella has been at the centre since April 22.

Kay said: "Bella is a beautiful girl who has been returned to us as she did not get on with another cat in the household.  She likes to do her own thing and so might be best in quieter home"

3. Kylie



Kay said: "Kylie is a lovely young female, she was found as a stray but is a friendly girl, she will enjoy a good fuss but can also be a little bit shy."

4. Bonnie



Bonnie has been at the centre since January 31.

Kay said: "Bonnie came to us as a very frightened girl with very little confidence. Staff and volunteers have spent lots of time building up a trust in humans and she has come such a long way.

"She now enjoys a fuss and is affectionate but she will need a quiet home where she can relax and continue to build her confidence. In return she will make a good companion."
 

5. Elliott

Four-year-old Elliott has been at the centre since April 21.

Kay said: "Elliott came to us looking 10 years older than he actually is. He was a stray and wasn't doing a very good job of looking after himself as he was matted, dirty and had some fur loss due to fleas.

"He has now been treated and the staff have given him lots of TLC and as you can see he's looking and feeling a lot better.

"He likes attention and plays quite boisterously, so would be suited to a home with older children who have had cats before."

6. Miss Tibbs

10-year-old Miss Tibbs has been at the centre since March 27.

Kay said: "Miss Tibbs was brought to us via an inspector as she was unwell. She has now been treated and is fit and well.

"Miss Tibbs loves a fuss but can be very independent  when she wants to be, would be suitable in a family home may be with older children who have had cats before and will allow her a bit of space."

7. Bonnie

Four-year-old Bonnie has been at the centre since April 1. She would be suitable as a housecat.

Kay said: "Bonnie is a very quiet girl who has been returned to us. She is sweet and friendly, but will need a quiet home with patient owners where she can learn to relax and feel at ease, so best with older children."

8. Simon and Dave

Simon and Dave, both two, have been at the centre since February 5.

Kay said: "Simon and Dave came to us as the child in the household had allergies.

"They have really come on leaps and bounds while they have been with us. At first they were very scared and just wanted to hide all the time, but now, although quiet by nature, they are inquisitive and always trying to see what's going on in the corridor - especially at meal times.

"When they go home they will need to be allowed time to settle and gain confidence again in their new surroundings. They will like a quiet household with people who will enjoy their sweet natures."

9. Lennon

Lennon has been at the centre since April 24.

Kay said: "Lennon was found as a stray that wasn't doing very well looking after himself. As you can see he is back to his handsome self and is now looking for a home with with no young children. He is friendly and purrs like a tractor, but will let you know when he's had enough."

10. Mercedes

One-year-old Mercedes has been at the centre since April 21.

Kay said: "Mercedes was found in the Blacon area of Chester after giving birth to her kittens in a shed. She is still very young herself and loves to play and have a fuss. She will make a great family cat."

11. Mel and Kim

Mel and Kim have been at the centre since May 26.

Kay said: "Mel and Kim are a gorgeous pair of girls to be rehomed together. They were very scared when they came in and are still quite shy, but they are coming out of their shells and are very inquisitive about what goes on around them.

"In a quiet home environment with patience and care they will settle and grow in confidence and be adorable pets."

• To see even more cats looking for their furr-ever home, visit rspcawirral.webs.com/cats

Before re-homing a cat, it is important to remember that they have been through a lot.

Cats end up with the RSPCA for a number of reasons but mostly as injured strays or via the inspectors after being rescued from unsuitable or abusive homes.

A rescue cat may take a little longer to settle in to a new home so patience is vital – you don’t know what trauma they have been through prior to their stay with the RSPCA.

Adopting a cat from the RSPCA is simple and relatively inexpensive.

The donation fee for a cat or kitten is £80 – or £120 for a pair – and all cats are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, de-flead and wormed before they are re-homed. It would cost more than £150 to have this done yourself.

The centre also cares for dogs, rabbits, mice and rats.

One dog currently looking for a home is two-year-old Staffie cross Kiki.

Kay said: "She is a lovely dog playful and full of energy."

Anyone interested in re-homing a cat or dog should call in to the animal centre on Cross Lane, Wallasey. 

No appointment is needed, just call in during opening hours 11.30am to 3pm every day except Thursday when they are closed all day.

You can also email rspcawirral@btconnect.com or call 0151 638 6318