AN ANIMAL charity is warning there could be a pandemic-fuelled summer rise in cruelty to cats, after revealing there were 182 cases reported in Warwickshire last year.
New figures from the RSPCA revealed seven cats a day suffer at the hands of humans across the UK – and this is expected to increase during the summer months.
Reports of intentional harm to cats in Warwickshire in 2021 included abandonments, poisonings, mutilations, shootings, beatings and neglect – and they peaked during the months of July and August.
The charity fears a recent boom in the kitten trade could see a rise in unscrupulous breeders putting profits before welfare, amid a 185 per cent increase in kitten-related complaints made to Trading Standards over the last five years.
David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “The demand for pets soared during the pandemic, meaning backstreet kitten breeders have been able to make more money out of flogging pets online.
“We normally see a rise in kittens being sold at this time of year and, coupled with the cost of living crisis, sadly we could see a boom in the kitten trade this year as a result.
“If you are considering buying a kitten, we would urge people to use the Kitten Checklist.”
To help prevent suffering, the RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which aims to raise funds to keep its rescue teams on the front line.
Sam Watson, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “It’s awful to think cats are suffering deliberate cruelty, and to know that an average of seven cats every single day are suffering at the hands of humans is really distressing.
“Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 10.5 million pet cats in UK homes – but sadly they are the second most abused pet, after dogs.
“Tragically, we see hundreds of animals that come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty – being beaten, thrown across the room, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.
“As well as being hurt by their owners, cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own, which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty to support the RSPCA by donating, volunteering, or raising funds.
