Our rescue team were called out to a friendly pregnant stray cat who had taken up residence in a garden in Stockwell South East London. There were a few other cats milling about and enquiries soon pointed in the direction of one house who we were told had around 20 cats. We went to the house and introduced ourselves to the owner who explained that she didn't know what to do as she had so many cats and was scared that the cats might be being taken away from her and be put to sleep so she hadn't sought help. She was very pleased that we were able to help her and that we could neuter the cats ASAP to prevent numbers increasing further.
We took in the heavily pregnant cat from the garden who is expected to give birth imminently, plus a further 24 cats, one of which was also heavily pregnant and gave birth to four kittens just hours after arriving with us. One of our vets and a vet nurse have worked flat out neutering the rest of the cats - 16 females yesterday and 7 males who are being neutered today. The cats have also all required microchipping, vaccinations and flea and worm treatment. The cats are generally young adults, quite healthy except for a few fleas and worms and they are friendly. Most are short haired black cats but there a few brindle torties as well.
Ideally their owner only wants three of her cats back permanently but the centre is full and we are unable to keep the cats in our neuter and return accommodation for more than a few days so the majority will have to be returned unless we can find homes for some in the next few days.
If we had not heard about this situation and been able to help now with neutering, this family of cats would have grown in number to around 100 cats in the next 2-3 months time as every female cat would have given birth to approx 4-6 kittens each and the situation would have become a crisis as their owner would have been completely overwhelmed and unable to meet even their basic needs.
If you can help by offering a home to a pair of these cats please contact us.
UPDATE 26th FEB: Three cats have been neutered and returned to their owner. Seven cats have found new homes. Both mother cats with litters of kittens are now being cared for in foster homes. We still need new homes for twelve cats in pairs, plus Archibald a stray male who came in with the group.
To enquire about these cats please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. please include a contact tel no. Our Rescue Centre reception is also now open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 1p.m and 5p.m for potential adopters to drop in to meet us for an initial chat about adopting one or more of our cats. Our address is 233-235, Lewisham Way SE4 1UY - please bring a donation of cat food to help us feed our rescue cats!
ADOPTION PROCESS:
Because our cats are rescued we do like to meet potential adopters this can either be at your home (home visit) or via a video call e.g WhatsApp this is an informal visit to provide advice about caring for cats or kittens e.g health care, feeding, settling in and also an opportunity for us to feel reassured that you could provide a good home.
Following a successful home assessment we can make an appointment for you to come and meet our cats.
We are prioritising homes that are local to our centres. Lewisham Branch Homing catchment area: All SE London and BR (Bromley) postcodes. Also N.Kent (Welling, Bexley, Sidcup, Swanley, Dartford), Croydon and SW London (SW8, SW9, SW2, SW11, SW4, SW12, SW16) If you can offer a home to a 'harder to rehome' cat we will consider homes outside our usual rehoming areas.
