'Exhausted' cat rescue backs government petition

A cat rescue centre in Surrey is backing a parliamentary petition to solve a "rapidly escalating animal welfare crisis" across the county.

According to Byfleet Cat Rescue (BCR), its helpers are struggling to cope with the surging number of abandoned pets in their care.

The charity, based in West Byfleet, said that its lack of rescue premises meant that foster carers were having to give up rooms in their own houses to accommodate unwanted cats and kittens.

A Defra spokesperson said the government was "working with animal welfare organisations and local authorities to support responsible ownership and better protect the welfare of animals being sold in both regulated and non-regulated settings."

They added that "a number of animal welfare organisations... were supporting owners through community neutering programmes and providing advice and support".

BCR founder Nicola Tait said: "We are exhausted and far from the only independent rescue experiencing this."

Tait added that last month alone, the charity – largely funded by donations from the public – had to look after more than 90 discarded, unneutered or pregnant felines.

It is now "throwing its weight" behind a petition calling on the government to "introduce a national strategy to tackle the cat overpopulation and rescue crisis," she added.

Tait said the strategy should include expanding access to affordable neutering, supporting rescue centres like hers, improving public education on responsible pet ownership and reviewing measures to reduce irresponsible breeding.

She also urged others to sign the petition and to contact their local MPs, councils and mayors about the problem.

"This isn't simply about us, but about other independent rescues across the country and what will happen to these animals if those organisations can no longer cope," Tait added.

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