Why rescue centres in the South West are still struggling to cope with a rise in abandoned kittens

Cat rescue centres across the South West say they are struggling to cope with 'huge' numbers of kittens being abandoned.

It's thought an overhang from the pandemic five years ago is partly responsible, with fewer cats being neutered or spayed at the time.

The Moggery Cat and Kitten Rehoming Centre in Bishopston received more than double their normal intake of abandoned kittens in 2024. They say volunteers rescued an additional 220 cats to what they'd expect during kitten season.

Founder Christine Bayka told ITV West Country huge numbers of people adopted cats during the 2020 lockdown but later changed their mind about owning pets.

She added that fewer cats were neutered or spayed too.

“During the Covid lockdown, the PDSA and RSPCA stopped doing neuters as normal because they could onl