Yorkshire Cat Rescue (YCR) is experiencing its busiest year yet, with an unprecedented number of abandoned cats and kittens overwhelming their facilities. Over the past three months, the charity has been inundated with felines in desperate need of care.
Currently, YCR is managing an extensive number of cats:
100 cats in foster homes
30 more cats expected to arrive soon
20 cats at the center awaiting foster placements or rehoming
Additionally, daily emergencies and a waiting list of over 300 cats needing help have strained the charity’s resources. Several factors, including a post-pandemic neutering backlog and the rising cost of living, have contributed to this crisis. YCR receives about 50 emails weekly from pet owners surrendering their cats due to financial hardship.
Lynn, CEO of Yorkshire Cat Rescue, highlights the severity of the situation: “This influx of cats this year is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, and this isn’t just us; centers across the region and the entire country are feeling it. We’re inundated with pregnant cats and young kittens, many of them in desperate need of care.”
YCR is also facing skyrocketing veterinary bills. The cost of neutering a cat has more than doubled since the pandemic, with prices rising from £35-£50 to £90-£135. Last year, YCR spent approximately £150,000 on vet bills alone, excluding other essential supplies like food and bedding.
Urgent Call for Foster Carers and Donations
YCR is urgently seeking foster carers in the local and surrounding areas to provide temporary homes for vulnerable cats. The organization covers all vet bills and food costs, needing only a safe environment for the cats to recover or await adoption.
“We are pleading with anyone in the area who can open their hearts and homes to a cat in need to please consider fostering,” says Lynn. “Every foster makes a world of difference.”
As the charity grapples with this overwhelming demand, community support through fostering and donations is crucial to ensure these abandoned cats receive the care they need.
