The owner of Cat Rescue in Cornwall has stated that the cost of living crisis is stretching her organization’s resources. With supermarket prices at all-time highs and rising energy bills, many people are being pushed to give up their beloved pets.
Sue Clinton, who runs an independent cat rescue in Redruth, accepts stray cats, palliative cases, and any other cat that someone cannot care for. Normally, her goal is to find them a new home, but this is becoming increasingly difficult.
Sue’s rescue is filling up fast, as another owner brought in a pair of cats they couldn’t afford to feed earlier this week. And, with rising vet costs, the shelter’s budget is being put to the test.
“We tend to take on a lot of harder-to-rehome cats on,” Sue said. “A lot of them are due to be put to sleep or are elderly, have health problems or have temperament problems. They’re the ones we concentrate on rather than the younger, prettier cats.”
Sue and her partner Pete run the shelter on a volunteer basis. In the centre, they care for approximately 50-60 cats. A further 25 cats who cannot be rehomed live at Sue and Pete’s house.
Sue and Pete have been involved in animal rescue for about 30 years and began focusing on cats about ten years ago. Unfortunately, the rescue has only grown in that time, and it is now under threat as things become more expensive.
Sue continued: “The cats we can’t rehome stay with us, and they get us two mugs to look after them. The main problem we’re having now is rehoming is a bit slower.”
“There are twice as many needing to come in, donations have dropped, and nearly every cat we get in needs vet treatment. The price of vet treatment has gone up over the last 18 months, and it’s easy to spend a lot on each cat.”
Sue stated that as of Monday, September 5, the rescue has eight cats awaiting dental care, which will cost around £400 per cat.
“We always neuter everything, do home checks. I used to work full-time as a gardener, but because the rescue is so big, I do part-time now. I go to work to rest and get away from it. It’s every day; we don’t have holidays.”
“We want to get on top of it all, but it’s really frustrating. There are so many people who take cats in, but then they can’t look after them because they’re injured.”
“And the financial crisis is making people worry and give up their cats. A lot of landlords also just won’t allow pets; people are thinking twice about taking them on too.”
In addition, Sue stated that a significant issue is people not knowing whether or not to take in a stray. She continued, saying: “Many strays may be on the streets for 8-10 years before being adopted. Nobody wants to be held responsible for the bills.”
There are also kitten farms. Sue stated that this became a particular issue during the lockdown. As a result, many kittens have been abandoned on the street, with disastrous consequences.
Sue’s cat rescue is one of many struggling to meet demand. A fundraiser has been set up to help it, which can be found here.
“Our supporters are amazing,” she finished. “But we can’t keep asking for money and doing fundraiser after fundraiser.
