Charity struggling to cope with epidemic of unwanted pets

A BAY animal rescue centre is warning that the number of unwanted kittens and pregnant pets has reached epidemic levels.

The charity's cat rehoming centre in Torbay has been struggling to cope with the number of homeless pregnant cats and litters of kittens in need of help.

It is full to capacity and has a waiting list of more than 50 cats in need of homes.

It is a trend seen at Blue Cross centres across the country where the number of pets born at Blue Cross centres after their pregnant mothers were abandoned or given up has almost doubled compared to four years ago.

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There has also been a 70 per cent increase in kitten litters in the last 12 months alone.

The rehoming centre at Ashley Priors Lane, Watcombe, is currently looking after Lola, who was pregnant when she was abandoned in a rented property when her owner moved out.

Luckily, she was found in time and brought to the Blue Cross in Torbay, where she gave birth to kittens Levi, Lotto and Lemmy just a couple of weeks later.

Tim Sillis, centre manager for Blue Cross in Torbay, said: "We're seeing more and more cats abandoned outside our centre, dumped like rubbish, as if they're disposable items.

"We are constantly full to capacity and there are just too many animals for too few good homes."

The Blue Cross Big Neutering Campaign launched last Friday and aims to make 'neutering the norm', stamping out irresponsible breeding and raise awareness among millions of animal lovers of the huge benefits of neutering their pets.

Mr Sillis said: "Supply is greater than demand and every year we're seeing an increase in the need for our services.

"While charities like Blue Cross will always be there to give needy pets in Devon a healthy, happy future, we must reverse this trend so pets are not disposed of like rubbish and neutering your pet is the norm."

To find out more about the Blue Cross Big Neutering Campaign or to help rehome, contact 0300 777 1550.