I would like to send my personal thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have been supporting Cats Protection since 2018.
During that time, funds raised by players have enabled us to help and care for around 10,000 cats and kittens in our adoption centres across England, Scotland and Wales, while they await their forever homes.
In addition, they have also helped us provide cat behaviour expertise to our cat care volunteers and staff and adopters; run our Paws to Listen grief support service to help bereaved cat owners; and speak up for cats to help create positive change for cat welfare via our advocacy work.
Thank you to all the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for your ongoing support. Together we create a better world for cats.
Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or support Cats Protection, or seeking advice on cat welfare, can find out more at www.cats.org.uk
Cat owners are cutting back on pet essentials such as vet care, vaccinations, and insurance as a result of the cost of living crisis, according to new research from Cats Protection.
The leading feline welfare charity is seeing a rise in people giving up their cats for financial reasons and is warning there could be an animal welfare crisis as a direct result of the cost of living.
Cats Protection has launched an online hub to support owners in need with a raft of information including how to look after your cat on a budget and how to access help with costs.
One in three* cat owners surveyed said they feel “greatly impacted” by the cost of living crisis, while nearly one in five (18%) said they were spending less on vet services, including missing essential vaccinations or not microchipping their pet.
Meanwhile, nearly one in three (31%) of cat owners said they are concerned about how they would pay emergency vet bills if their cat became sick or injured, with nearly one in five (18%) concerned about paying for routine vet treatment. The charity says this represents tens of thousands of cats whose welfare could now be at risk.
A quarter of cat owners (25%) said they are spending less on pet insurance because of the cost of living and 17% are concerned about paying for insurance in the future.
Alison Richards, Head of Clinical Services at Cats Protection said: “We know the cost of living is having a huge impact on people across the country, with many cat owners making difficult choices to make ends meet. Cutting back on insurance or vet treatment can ultimately lead to higher costs if a cat becomes injured, gravely unwell, or even pregnant.
“We’ve launched a new information hub with lots of tips and ideas for looking after your cat on a budget, with everything from how to make free cat toys to how to access help with costs such as neutering. We want to provide access to information and resources that can help every owner look after their cat.”
Cat owners also reported cutting back on spending, with more than half spending less on eating out or takeaways, days out, clothes, drinking and holidays. The survey also showed that 60% of owners feel their cat is a source of comfort to them during a difficult time.
Adoption centres are also seeing a rise in people giving up their cats for financial reasons.
Nicola Murray, deputy manager at Cats Protection’s Harrow Homing Centre, said: “The cost of living is having a greater impact on animal welfare than Covid. We’ve got desperate people turning up on our doorstep every week and our waiting lists for people wishing to give their cat up are several weeks long.
“People need more information and support for managing their cats during this time as no one should have to give up a much loved pet during a time of crisis.”
*Survey of 3,011 cat owners in the UK, conducted by Basis on behalf of Cats Protection. Fieldwork completed in December 2022.
Cat lovers have just days left to enter their favourite furry friend into this year’s National Cat Awards. Run by the charity Cats Protection, the annual event celebrates the nation’s most marvellous moggies, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Owners now have until noon on Friday 24 February to nominate their cat in one of four categories:
Cat Colleagues – Celebrating cats who bring joy to the workplace or make working from home a pleasure.
Family Fur-ever – Recognising cats that make a family complete, whether they’re a child’s best friend or a comforting sofa buddy.
Moggy Marvels – Jaw-dropping stories of survival, heroism and companionship in the cat world.
Social Star – Paying tribute to cats who spread joy on social media.
Cats Protection’s Chief Executive John May said: “Every year, we’re amazed by the incredible entries we receive to the National Cat Awards, and this year is no different. From hero cats that saved the day to the family moggy who has become a child’s best friend, all the entries show why cats make such wonderful pets.
“With two weeks left before entries close, we’re looking forward to hearing even more stories of moggy brilliance. Owners can nominate their cats in any of the four categories to be in with a chance of winning an award.
“The good news for cat lovers is that you don’t even need to own a cat to get involved. If your favourite feline is a YouTube star or TikTok sensation who helps us all learn about cats and their needs, then you can nominate them in our Social Star category to get them the recognition they deserve.”
Winners will be selected in a public vote and by a panel of judges before being announced during a ceremony at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall on 17 July 2023.
The winner of the National Cat of the Year trophy will inherit the title from Jasper and Willow, who were named joint National Cat of the Year 2022 in recognition of the role they play at St Peter & St James Hospice in Haywards Heath, Sussex.
To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards until noon on Friday 24 February.
To find out more about adopting a cat from Cats Protection, visit:
6 signs that you love your cat more than your partner
Does your cat get more attention than your partner? Take a look at Cats Protection’s Valentine’s checklist to see how deeply cats have left pawprints on your heart.
With over 11 million pet cats in the UK, it’s clear we’re a nation who love our moggies and the charity’s CATS Report 2022 revealed that 92% of cat owners consider their cat as part of the family and 88% admit to talking with their cat regularly.
Many of us would do anything for our feline friends, and you may even find that you love them more than your significant other. For fun this Valentine’s Day, check the signs that your cat could mean more to you than your human partner.
You don’t dare disturb them when they’re sleeping
You’re sitting on the sofa, desperate to use the toilet, but when your darling puss has graced you with their presence on your lap, you simply cannot ask them to move. You’ll happily put up with the discomfort, so long as your kitty is snoozing soundly. As a result, it’s your partner who must make the tea and generally wait on you hand and foot, so you and your kitty can stay cosy.
No need for an alarm clock, your cat will make sure you know when it’s time to get out of bed and serve them their breakfast, and you will happily oblige, even at 5am. However, if your partner dares snore in the night, they get a gentle whack with a pillow.
As you scroll through the camera roll on your phone, there’s a very noticeable trend. Almost every photo is of your cat in various adorable or funny poses, as you try to capture them in all their glory. On the other hand, your partner only features in around 1% of your photos and hasn’t even managed to make it onto your home screen background.
When it comes to mealtimes, you choose only the best cat food that has your feline friend’s approval, and make sure to pick out their favourite flavours so they’re not disappointed. Food is served precisely on schedule (or as soon as your cat demands it) and perhaps even presented in a Michelin star-worthy fashion in their favourite bowl. Meanwhile, your partner has to make do with whatever leftovers are in the freezer.
If you need to be away from your cat, even for a few hours, you’re constantly wondering what they’re up to and if they’re ok. If you could call them to check, you would, but chances are they haven’t even noticed you’ve gone. When you’re away from your partner, you’re just grateful for a few hours of peace.
A cat is never known by just one name, and you have a whole register of creative monikers for your moggy. Some may closely resemble their given name, others may be completely random and ridiculous. Your partner has just the one name, plus maybe a more a formal version you use when they’ve done something wrong.
Of course, it’s all a bit of Valentine’s Day fun and there’s room in most hearts for our partners and pets.
But if you can think of any signs that show how much you love your feline friend, Cats Protection would love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Cat lovers across the UK are being invited to nominate their furry friends for the biggest event in the feline year – the National Cat Awards.
Run by the charity Cats Protection, the annual event celebrates the nation’s most marvellous moggies, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Entries open on Tuesday 10 January and owners have until noon on Friday 24 February to nominate their cat in one of four categories:
Cat Colleagues – Celebrating cats who bring joy to the workplace or make working from home a pleasure.
Family Fur-ever – Recognising cats that make a family complete, whether they’re a child’s best friend or a comforting sofa buddy.
Moggy Marvels – Jaw-dropping stories of survival, heroism and companionship in the cat world.
Social Star – Paying tribute to those fame-hungry felines who spread joy on social media.
Cats Protection’s Chief Executive John May said: “Cats are undoubtedly some of our nation’s most treasured pets, and over the past few years many of us have found their companionship more important than ever.
“The National Cat Awards are all about celebrating everything we love about cats – from their entertaining antics to their comforting presence. And in recognition of just how much enjoyment cats bring to the world, we’ve introduced a new Social Star category, where the public can nominate their favourite famous felines.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the awards once again and look forward to sharing many wonderful stories of moggy brilliance, and hopefully inspire more people to adopt a rescue cat in 2023.”
Winners will be selected in a public vote and by a panel of judges before being announced during a ceremony at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall on 17 July 2023.
The winner of the National Cat of the Year trophy will inherit the title from Jasper and Willow, who were named joint National Cat of the Year 2022 in recognition of the role they play at St Peter & St James Hospice in Haywards Heath, Sussex.
To nominate your cat, or for further information about the National Cat Awards, visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards from Tuesday 10 January.
A Norfolk couple are hoping for a Christmas miracle as they appeal for the return of their beautiful grey cat who they believe could be lost 400 miles away in Scotland.
Toni Jarvis and Ben Smith’s four-year-old cats Duchess and Queenie went missing from their front garden in August and, after extensive local searches, they lost all hope of seeing them again. Then two months later, Duchess was found in Glasgow, 400 miles from their home in Great Yarmouth. She was returned home, thanks to her microchip. Sadly, Queenie is still missing.
Toni, a health support worker, of Gorleston, said: “I remember the day they went missing as if it were yesterday. We had to go out and both cats were playing in the front garden. We wouldn’t be out long, so my partner Ben said let’s leave them to play. I felt oddly nervous, but I left anyway. With hindsight, I should have trusted my instincts.
“When we got back the cats were nowhere to be seen. I knocked on my neighbour’s door and she said she seen two workmen in our street fussing both cats but since they had gone, she hadn’t seen the cats. I called their names repeatedly as normally they would come running home, but nothing.
“I waited until after the school run and asked everyone on my road if they had seen them and no one had so we went looking for them, walking and calling their names for over two hours but there was neither sight nor sound of them. It was very odd that they had both gone missing.”
The next day, Toni posted on local Facebook pages, appealing for any news about the family cats. She also made posters and put them up in streets around their neighbourhood and called local vets and cat rescues to see if the cats had perhaps been injured and taken into care. Sadly, nobody had seen Queenie or Duchess.
That was until October, when Christine Cutts, Cat Welfare Team Leader at Cats Protection’s Anglia Coastal Branch, received a call from a microchip database company to check on a chipped cat that had been found in Glasgow, some 400 miles away from its registered address in Norfolk.
Branch volunteer Lynne Pothecary said: “When the situation was explained Ben was very shocked and pleased to find out that Duchess had been found. He and his partner had thought that the cats were gone for good. They couldn’t believe she’d been found so far away in Scotland and couldn’t imagine how she got there.”
Toni added: “I was at work when Ben called to say Duchess had been found. I remember asking if it was real, I couldn’t believe him. I was crying down the phone, with my colleagues asking if I was ok and Ben telling me to calm down. I had to wait for another phone call an hour later when he had more details. It felt like a life time.”
That later call revealed that Duchess had been found roaming the Glasgow streets and was taken to a vet by a lady who assumed she was lost. Lucky for Duchess, her owners could be traced, thanks to her microchip. In the coming days, a neighbour who had been visiting Scotland brought Duchess home to the family.
Ben and Toni believe the inseparable pair might have followed each other into misadventure and maybe Queenie could be in Glasgow still. Toni said: “All we can assume is that they stowed away together aboard a van and the driver didn’t realise they were there. That’s why we hope Queenie might still be found.”
Lynne said: “Duchess’ return to her family is credit to the cat being microchipped. That is the hope for Queenie, that she might be traced by her microchip. Our Cats Protection team in Glasgow has appealed for any information but we didn’t hear anything positive so far. If anyone in Glasgow can help us locate Queenie, please get in touch.”
Toni and Ben are desperate to reunite their family in time for the new year. “Duchess is very playful but she does seem to be missing her sister. She’s not her usual self but our kids are trying to make her feel like everything is normal. But nothing beats playing with your sister. The only downside to our joy is that Queenie is still missing.
“We would love Queenie to come home to us,’ said Toni. “We appeal for anyone with any information to please get in touch. It would be a Christmas miracle.”
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ and Cats Protection have recognised Flossie as the oldest cat living, just weeks before she celebrates her 27th birthday.
The record-breaking status marks a turnaround in fortunes for a cat who was born in the same year as England goal scorer Jack Grealish.
Flossie was signed over to Cats Protection volunteers in Kent and faced an uncertain future, aged 26, after her owner was unable to support the welfare of such an elderly cat.
She was given a new lease of life when the charity matched her to a loving new home with Vicki Green of Orpington, who had experience of caring for senior cats. What Vicki couldn’t have known was that she was giving a home to a record breaker.
Vicki, who is also aged 27, said: “I knew from the start that Flossie was a special cat, but I didn’t imagine I’d be sharing my home with a Guinness World Records title holder! She’s so affectionate, playful and sweet, especially when you remember how old she is. I’m immensely proud that Cats Protection matched me with such an amazing cat.
“She’s deaf and has failing eyesight but none of that seems to bother her. She’s completely with it, loves affection and has a very good appetite. She never turns her nose up at the chance of a good meal, except when she’s snuggled on her favourite yellow blanket.”
Naomi Rosling, Co-ordinator at Cats Protection’s Tunbridge, Crowborough and District Branch said: “We were flabbergasted when vet records showed Flossie to be nearly 27 years old. She’s the oldest cat I’ve ever met; at least 120 in human years.
“If I’m in such good shape when I’m her age, with someone who does what’s best for me when I need it most, I shall be a very happy lady.”
Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief at GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ said: “We were so excited to hear about the lovely Flossie and celebrate her long life – it’s not every day you come across a cat who has been around since the mid-nineties.
“This is the human equivalent of over 120 years old, which would put her on par with Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian who lived to 122 years 164 days and holds the record for the oldest person ever.
“We’re happy to see Flossie settled and enjoying all the home comforts she deserves in her later life. A huge congratulations to Flossie, a highly deserving record-breaker.”
It’s a heartwarming final chapter to the story of a cat that had remained in the same extended family since being homed as a young stray in 1995. Flossie had been living in a colony of cats near a Merseyside hospital, when two workers took pity on them and each homed a cat.
They lived together for 10 years until the owner died and Flossie was taken in by her sister. After another 14 happy years, the new owner also passed away. Flossie was aged at least 24 at that time. For the next three years, Flossie lived with the woman’s son, until his situation led him to make the difficult decision to relinquish the family cat to volunteers at Cats Protection’s Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and District Branch.
Naomi is confident that the owner acted in the interests of his cat. “It wasn’t an easy decision. He’d promised to take care of Flossie’s needs but, in ways that matter most, that is exactly what he has done. He sought our help when it was in Flossie’s best interests. Responsible cat ownership is when someone thinks about an animal’s needs above their own feelings.”
Flossie has settled well since moving in with Executive Assistant Vicki. “She was loud for the first few nights, because she can’t see in the dark and was a bit confused in her new surroundings, but she sleeps through the night now, snuggled on the bed with me,’ Vicki said. “Our new life together already feels like home for Flossie, which makes me so happy.”
Vicki’s previous cat Honeybun had lived until the age of 21, so she knew what to expect, she said. “Older cats can need particular care and being the oldest living cat, Flossie isn’t any different. She sometimes misses her litter box or needs help grooming herself, but I can help with all of that. We’re in this together.”
Cats Protection created Mature Moggies Days (16 June) to celebrate older cats and recognise their welfare needs. The charity campaigns so that older cats can feel at home in their later years.
Vicki is keen to encourage other potential owners to consider older cats, she said: “I’ve always wanted to give older cats a comfortable later life. All they really want is a comfy bed in a warm loving home and they give so much love in return.
“Cats Protection has a lot of mature cats in need of homes and they don’t need to be high maintenance. All they really want is a cuddle and somewhere warm to sleep. I’m glad that Cats Protection matched me with Flossie; adopting her has been rewarding for us both.”
A group of animal charities led by Cats Protection is advocating cats be neutered from the age of four months old to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
The Cat-Kind umbrella group recommends neutering at four months of age as that is when puberty hits. Neutering cats at four months (rather than the traditional six months of age), is an effective way to reduce the number of accidental litters, as well as having many recognised benefits to cat health and behaviour including marking of territory by spraying, fighting, wailing and roaming/getting lost.
Research has shown that neutering at four months has no increased risk and so there is no reason why neutering should be delayed until six months, by which time cats can already get pregnant.
Cats Protection estimates there are 1.3m unneutered pet cats in the UK and over 150,000 cats already enter shelters each year. This year has seen a 46 per cent increase in cats on the waiting list to enter the charity’s adoption centres, as owners seek to relinquish their pets due to the cost-of-living crisis.
A reduction in surprise pregnancies will stop the stress and risks to young cats who get pregnant, while reducing the number of unwanted kittens that may require rehoming in the future.
Further information on the benefits of neutering, as well as our Kitten Neutering Database listing vets undertaking the procedure at four months, can be found at www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/kitten-neutering
Cats Protection provides discounted neutering for owners on low incomes.
Cats Protection has urged Scottish pet lovers to join its campaign for compulsory microchipping of pet cats – a measure which is already in place for dogs.
The charity says compulsory microchipping would be a major step forward in feline welfare in Scotland, yet there are currently no plans for it to be introduced. This is in contrast with England, where the measure is due to become law.
Scottish animal lovers are now being asked to join the charity’s campaign by using an online form on its website to contact their MSP to ask they support the move.
Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: “Microchipping is an important part of responsible pet ownership and is already compulsory for dogs in Scotland. It is also due to become compulsory for pet cats in England, so we’re keen to make sure cats in Scotland are not left behind.
“Compulsory microchipping of pet cats would ensure more cats can be reunited with their owners if they are lost or missing. It also helps to identify cats which have sadly died in road accidents, and helps to reduce the pressure on animal charities which may find it impossible to trace the owner of an un-microchipped stray or lost cat, despite their best efforts.
“We’re asking for the help of cat lovers in Scotland to send a message to MSPs that cats deserve the same level of protection as their canine counterparts.”
Animal lovers can fill in a simple form on Cats Protection’s website which will send an email to their local MSP telling them to support compulsory microchipping of pet cats.
Twenty five MSPs joined Cats Protection at a parliamentary reception in Holyrood to discuss the charity’s work across Scotland to improve feline welfare including through its campaigning work.
The event, on 16 June, was sponsored by Mark Ruskell MSP and held to highlight ways that politicians can help support Scotland’s 685,000 pet cats and their owners.
Among the work discussed was Cats Protection’s campaign to encourage more landlords to allow tenants to keep pet cats, and its calls for compulsory microchipping of pet cats in Scotland.
Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many MSPs who were keen to find out how they can support cats and the people who care about them.
“Scotland is a nation of cat lovers, with 20% of households owning one, so their welfare is important to a huge number of people. While Scotland already has some strong legislation in place to protect cats, there is always more that can be done, such as banning snares and introducing fireworks licensing. We were pleased to discuss these priorities with so many MSPs as part of our work to help cats in Scotland.”
Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, has a Scottish network of 24 volunteer-run branches, four adoption centres, and nine charity shops which also offer advice on cat care. In 2021, the charity rehomed 2,500 cats in Scotland and helped neuter 10,500 cats and microchip 1,600 cats.
To find out more about the charity’s campaigning work, please visit:
