Record number of cats rehomed

The Scottish SPCA’s rescue centre in Edinburgh found new homes for a record number of cats last year.

Staff at the charity’s centre in Balerno rehomed 228 felines, compared to 179 in 2013 and 114 in 2012.

Centre manager Diane Aitchison said, “It’s wonderful we were able to find new homes for so many of our fantastic felines last year.

“We took in lots of cats who had been cruelly abandoned. Others were handed in when their owners could no longer cope and some were removed

from their homes because they weren’t receiving the care they needed.

“Financial difficulties are certainly a factor, with many people not being able to afford vet bills or the general costs required in caring for any animal.

“Another problem is cats not being neutered, resulting in unwanted litters of kittens some owners don’t want to keep or find homes for.

“It’s encouraging that so many locals offered our rescue cats new homes last year and we hope this will continue.

“We rehomed 804 animals in total in 2014, including 109 dogs, 106 birds, 89 rabbits and 16 snakes.

“This year we hope to find homes for even more animals and we would encourage anyone in the area thinking of taking on a pet to pay us a visit.”

The Scottish SPCA’s centre in Balerno is open daily from 10am-4pm and can be contacted on 03000 999 999.

Photo by Scottish SPCA