Gables animal rescue in Plymouth is dealing with a surge of kittens. The centre currently has 54 kittens in its care, and pregnant cats are due to give birth soon. General manager Claire Sparkes said kitten season started "very late" because the weather was colder and went from winter straight into summer without a spring. "That have messed up the kitten season and it has hit us with a bang," Sparkes said. "We've got double, possibly nearly triple the amount of kittens we've ever had at one time."
The influx has been "overwhelming" because the charity aims to help both cats and dogs as possible, but "we're literally at breaking point now," she said. Sparkes explained that the rescue normally operates a waiting list and prioritises vulnerable cats, especially pregnant and young kittens. "Luckily we've got amazing volunteer foster carers that have helped us massively by taking quite a lot of mums and kittens home."
She added that this is the most kittens she has seen in her 20 years at the rescue. Most of the cats are unwanted pets or strays found by the public. "Sometimes cats will give birth in people's sheds, gardens and in all sorts of weird and wonderful places. We've even taken kittens from recycling centres and industrial estates where cats that are on the streets give birth in not in the most convenient places."
Sparkes also said vets' bills play a part in people not getting pets spayed or neutered. She noted that while owners used to wait until kittens were six months old before neutering, cats can now get pregnant at four months. "We make sure our kittens are neutered before that stage to make sure they don't have to have kittens when they're kittens themselves."
Because of the high number of kittens, the rescue ran out of kitten food and had to use stock from its shop, leading to an appeal for public help. Gables said on social media it was "blown away" by the support of people who donated or bought kitten-related items. Sparkes said one cat costs about £8 a day for basic care, plus veterinary costs for vaccines, flea and worming treatments.
Although there is a waiting list for people looking for kittens, she said the rescue finds it particularly hard to rehome black kittens. "Everybody normally asks for gingers first, then tabbies, then black and white; but black kittens are really difficult to find homes for and it does take a long time, sometimes a few months." She added: "Hopefully, when people register to adopt a kitten or two from us, they can be open-minded about what colour."
Kitten Boom Leaves Plymouth Rescue Centre Near Breaking Point