An animal welfare charity has said it is in the midst of a ‘kitten crisis’ as it revealed it was caring for a record number of felines.
The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) said it is looking after hundreds of cats and kittens and the figure has doubled compared to the same time last year.
Several mother cats, known as Queens, are also in the charity’s care.
The USPCA advised that cats can get pregnant from as young as four months old and they can get pregnant again in a few weeks after having a litter.
A cat can have 24 kittens each year, on average, and more than 240 kittens over their lifetime.
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The USPCA’s Siobhan McHaffie said one cat in their care, Amara, came to them very young and heavily pregnant. Amara and her four kittens are now with the charity.
“We are seeing a growing number of abandoned new mothers being brought into us,” Ms McHaffie said.
“We have 85 kittens needing our care and new homes, as well as their mothers. We are urging all cat owners to please neuter their cats and kittens.”
One of the kittens in the USPCA’s care
The USPCA said it is grappling with the cost of looking after so many cats and kittens this year and the charity is grateful for the donations it receives from the public, such as kitten food.
Appealing to those who would be willing to adopt cats in its care, the charity said its cats and kittens are all neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated against fleas and worms.
The adoption fee for cats and kittens is £78 and £98, respectively. Those who would like to adopt should visit the USPCA website.
Back in May, the USPCA revealed that last year it took in 242 sick, injured or abandoned kittens over what is known as ‘kitten season’, the period between April to late Autumn when cats predominantly breed and give birth.
The USPCA, which is not Government-funded, said veterinary and rehab care for such kittens can cost more than £1,000.
Earlier this year, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir visited the USPCA offices in Newry and said animal welfare issues would be among his top priorities going forward.