RSPCA warns of 'cat crisis' as rescue numbers hit record highs

The RSPCA says cats now outnumber dogs in its care for the first time, and is urging owners to consider adopting or fostering as centres run out of space.

The RSPCA is appealing for people to adopt or foster a cat after warning of a "cat crisis", with some of its centres taking in nearly double the number of cats they did last year.

With the number of cats in the RSPCA's care now outnumbering dogs, the charity has issued an urgent appeal. RSPCA chief executive Jo Rowland explained that the charity currently has more animals in its care than space in its centres and branches, calling it a heart-breaking situation that other rescues are facing too.

Numbers rising fast

The pressure is being felt at branches across the country. The RSPCA has warned of record numbers of cats in its care and is urging the public to consider adoption during its 'Adoptober' campaign.

At its Birmingham Animal Centre alone, 808 cats have already been taken in this year, an increase of 86.6 per cent compared with the same period last year, with more than two months of the year still to go.

In 2025, the charity responded to 1,780 incidents involving 10 or more cats at a single address, an increase of almost 65 per cent on the previous year, and those incidents involved more than 36,000 cats in total.

Why owners are seeing more strays and litters

Staff describe a steady stream of abandoned cats and unplanned litters arriving at centres, including young kittens left in public places. One recent case saw three kittens found abandoned in a crate in a church car park, underweight and suffering from cat flu.

Charities and vets have repeatedly linked rising stray and litter numbers to gaps in neutering, as unneutered cats can produce multiple litters a year, quickly adding to the numbers rescues are asked to take in.

What this means for cat owners

If you are considering a new pet, adopting from a rescue centre such as the RSPCA can help ease the pressure on shelters and often costs less than buying a kitten. If you already own a cat that is not neutered, booking the procedure can help prevent unplanned litters adding to the crisis.

You can compare neutering and other treatment prices at thevetbill.co.uk to find an affordable local vet.