These cats are looking for homes in Kent this Adoptober

From a one-eyed cat, to a senior pair with no interest from potential adopters, and a moggy with no tail – RSPCA Canterbury hopes to find forever homes for these purrfectly imperfect moggies.

RSPCA rescue centres and branches are “full to bursting” with unwanted animals as more pets come into care than are being adopted. Between 2021 and 2022, the charity saw a six percent increase in the number of dogs taken into care and a four percent increase in the number of cats.

To try and revive adoption rates, the RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign launches this week, which also ties-in with World Animal Day (today), celebrating the wonder of rescue pets, and highlighting the many animals the charity has waiting to find their perfect match.

Natalie Archer, funding and special projects manager at the RSPCA Canterbury and District branch, said: “We’re seeing lots of cats coming into our care at the moment but sadly rehoming them has slowed down. If you’re looking to bring a cat into your life, we’d urge you to please consider a rescue cat. Some of them may have had a sad start in life but now they have so much love to give.”

Five-year-old Fella (pictured above) came into the care of the branch with an injury to his eye which unfortunately required removal. Following his op, the ‘cone of shame’ and lots of TLC to help him recover, he is now fully healed and ready to find his forever home.

Fella was previously a stray cat so little is known about his history or how he received his eye injury. Although he was understandably a little grumpy at first, this sleek black cat has now come out of his shell and is enjoying regular meal times and some fuss with his carers.

He would like to find an adult-only home, or a family with older children, with access to the outdoors, so that he can explore and return home for a nap on a comfy sofa as he pleases.

Tabby and white cat Bobby (pictured right) is just over one-year-old and has lived on the streets his entire life, learning to scrap to survive.

Bobby had been left at a vets by a kind member of the public who found him wandering around with a severe tail injury. Sadly, his tail had to be amputated but he recovered quickly and is now looking for his forever home.

Natalie added: “Due to his sad start in life, Bobby really deserves a little bit of luxury and time to settle into his new home. He’s a huge foodie, probably because he hasn’t had a regular food source before. This little lad needs to be given a chance, he’s a real survivor and now just needs some rest and time to recover.”

Bobby could live with a family with older children, he’d like access to the outdoors to explore, and would prefer to be the only cat in the home.

Hope and Lucky are a 12-year-old pair of tortoiseshell cats who are looking for a lovely retirement pad to rest their paws after their previous owner sadly passed away.

Natalie added: “These two senior ‘kittizens’ would like to find a home who can give them the life they were used to – plenty of Dreamies and tuning in to Autumn and Springwatch! We have had no interest in them from potential adopters whatsoever and we can’t understand why as they are two lovely cats. We hope their age hasn’t put anyone off, age is just a number, remember!”

This Adoptober, the RSPCA highlights that rehoming levels have dropped by five percent from 2021 to 2022 falling to 25,535 animals in 2022, compared to 26,945 during the previous year.

This marks a longer-term collapse in rehoming rates; which have fallen by 34% from three years ago (in 2019) – when 39,178 animals were rehomed.

In addition, a YouGov survey* found that, when asked ‘When, if at all, are you planning to get a new pet?’, 72% percent of people stated that they were not planning to get a new pet.

Could you offer any of these cats a loving new home? Please fill out a perfect match form and contact the RSPCA Canterbury and District branch on info@rspca-canterbury.org.uk or 01227 719113.

If you can’t offer a rescue pet a new home perhaps you could help in a different way?

• Help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling their donation line on 0300 123 8181;
• Sponsor a cat pod or a dog kennel and help take care of the animals during their stay with the charity;
• Support the work of your local centre or branch by becoming a volunteer or donating to them directly.