Older Cats Overlooked And Face Months In Care, Island Charity Reports

The Island's older cats are overlooked in favour of kittens and young cats, an Isle of Wight animal charity has reported.

Cats Protection Isle of Wight is experiencing a glut of older cats coming into care, prompting the charity to issue a plea on behalf of the Island’s middle aged and senior cats.

Centre Manager Mel Read said:

“It’s never easy but we are finding it really tricky to find homes for adult cats.

"We have 13 cats aged nine years and over at our centre, including two aged 17, one of whom has already spent more than three months in care.

"Then we have six more old cats on our bulging waiting list, so there’s no let up in sight.”

On average this year, it has taken the centre in Ryde 26 days to home kittens and young cats aged up to one year old.

It has taken 34 days to rehome adult cats aged one to seven years.

Cats aged more than seven years old take significantly longer - 44 days - to find anyone interested in giving them a home.

But senior cats (aged 11-15 years) get the toughest break. They are particularly hard hit, taking an average of 50 days to be rehomed on the Isle of Wight – the longest for any age group.

Mel said:

“Senior cats can be especially loving, appreciative of regaining the home comforts they once had but have missed so badly.

"It’s always saddest to see them in care, confused and alone. They still have so much love to share.

“People looking to home a cat should look further than just kittens — for many, older cats can make ideal pets.

"They have established personalities so require less training than young cats and can often slot neatly into a new family life.

"It’s a crying shame that they are so often overlooked in favour of kittens, when they might not be best suited to a particular family.”

As well the charity’s matchmaking process to ensure cats are homed to suitable owners, Cats Protection has prepared an online checklist to help prepare for a new pet.

Among the older residents at the Isle of Wight Cat Centre are these five loveable seniors:

• Mischa:
  This 17-year-old black female cat came in to care with two other cats when her owner died suddenly. She has started treatment for hyperthyroidism which should be manageable with low-dose medication and regular vet checks. She would make a perfect lap cat for an adult-only home.
   
• Corky: Despite his youthful appearance and good health, this 17-year-old black male cat has already spent more than three months in care. He previously enjoyed a long and happy life before his owner became unwell and was taken into care. He would make a loving family companion.
   
• Geri: This super-friendly tortie girl, aged 16 years, is still very active and loves sunning herself. Sadly, her owner was unable to take Geri when she moved home. She would suit a family home with a safe garden to enjoy some sun.
   
• Pingu and Tigger: This female bonded pair is simply adorable. Pingu, aged 16, is a black and white, while tabby Tigger is 13 years old. Due to their long history living alongside each other, they should be rehomed together.

While staff ensure the cats are as comfortable as possible, the centre can be a busy place and cannot be a match for a restful home. That is especially relevant to older cats who have become accustomed to home comforts and can find the transition uneasy.

Mel said:

“Many of these cats have lived 10 years or more in a loving home and, although we do our best to make them relaxed, it can be traumatic to suddenly find themselves homeless and living in a rescue centre.”

Thanks to better welfare and vet treatments available, cats are now living longer, often into their late teens and even into their 20s.

Cats Protection has a strong track record of rehoming older cats. Two years ago, the charity helped rehome Flossie, who was recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest living cat just weeks before her 27th birthday.

Flossie, still thriving aged 28, was rehomed with Vicki Green, in Orpington, south east London, who 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 world record 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.”

To enquire about any of the older cats visit www.cats.org.uk/isleofwight, email isleofwight@cats.org.uk or call 03000 120251.