Cat Charity Fears Tough Times Ahead
| Published: 29th September 2008 10:30 |
Cats Protection’s North Hertfordshire branch has confirmed that it is feeling the effects of the current economic climate and is concerned that tough times are ahead. Although many charities may be concerned about the effects of an economic slump on donations, animal rescue organisations like Cats Protection face the greater challenge of keeping up with an increasing demand for their services at the same time.
Gillian Harding, the branch spokesperson, said “Although our general donations have not yet been affected and we are very lucky to have regular donors through membership of the branch and our sponsorship schemes, the donations we have received on adopted cats this summer have been well below our suggested donation which is already less than the actual amount we have spent on them. The costs we incur in relation to each cat are about £160 but our suggested donation is only £75 because we feel that our suggested donation should reflect the amount requested by other charities. Our costs are higher because we do not have a central shelter and operate through a system of fostering. Every cat adopted into a loving home, no matter what the donation, is a success for us and gives us space to care for a new cat. However, the lower the donation we are given on adoption, the harder it is for us to find the funds to care for that new cat.”
The charity is concerned by the fact that new owners are not prepared to make the suggested donation to help it to cover its expenses. All cats are vaccinated, microchipped and given a check up by a vet before being rehomed and some cats need more medical care so costs mount quickly.
“In the context of a cat's life, this really is a very small amount. Adopting a cat is a long term financial commitment and we have to ask ourselves whether people who aren't prepared to pay our suggested donation can really be relied on to pay for essential expenses for their cat, such as neutering, insurance, annual vaccinations and flea and worming treatments.”
Given the current trend, the charity may have no choice but to consider taking less cats into care over autumn and winter to give it time to bring in further donations and warns that the problems are likely to worsen:
“Cats are members of the family for many. While times have been good surveys have shown that owners have been spending a great deal on their cats in addition to essential expenses and the market in items like premium foods and toys has reflected this. However, more recent surveys have shown that owners are beginning to cut back and there is evidence to suggest that less people are renewing their pet insurance policies.”
If owners don't take out insurance, the charity questions what will happen when their cats are injured or become ill:
“Deciding to save up to cover medical expenses is not necessarily a safe course to take. Cats under the age of two are more likely to suffer accidents, particularly on the road. Our advice to owners is to ask one question, 'Will I have saved up enough if my cat is hit by a car before the age of 18 months?'. The answer is bound to be no. If an owner was able to front load the cost in that way, they would probably have considered insurance to be the cheaper option anyway.
Our great fear is that at the same time as we are seeing a drop in overall income, we will see an increase in cats coming into care. We would find it very hard to refuse an owner who brought a sick or injured cat to us. Without insurance owners could be left with a stark choice – bring their cat to a charity and hope that they agree to arrange for treatment or have their cat put down.
We have also been watching events in the USA with concern - animal shelters there have seen an increase in animals being given up because families cannot take them with them when they move. Unfortunately it is not always possible to take a pet into rented accommodation. If repossessions increase in the UK (and unfortunately that is expected to happen), that could put additional strain on our resources.
We don't want to have to turn anyone away and we are very firm in our policy not to put a cat down unless it is medically the only option for the cat but we are aware that eventually we could reach the point where we have no room and no funds to help those cats who need us.”
For further information visit the North Herts Cats Protection website or call 01438 228877.
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