RSPCA warns of shelter crisis as cat rescues surge

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

The RSPCA has reported a sharp increase in the number of cats entering shelters across England and Wales, surpassing dogs and straining their care capacity. This surge, driven by rising cat hoarding and low neutering rates, heightens the demand for foster carers and public support to manage overcrowding and improve rehoming efforts.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has issued a warning about a growing crisis in animal shelters across England and Wales as the number of cats entering rescue centers continues to rise sharply. The charity reports that abandoned and surrendered cats now outnumber dogs in their care, leading to significant capacity challenges.

In recent years, the RSPCA has seen a steady increase in the number of cats taken into its facilities. In 2021, the organization cared for 4,436 cats at its 14 national centers; by 2024, that number had risen to 6,408. As of October 2026, the charity had already taken in 5,616 cats, with the peak cat breeding season just concluded—indicating that the total for the year is expected to surpass last year’s figures. Nationwide, including foster and independent branches, approximately 20,000 cats were cared for by the RSPCA last year, with projections pointing to further increases in 2026.

Beth Clements, assistant director of animal services at the RSPCA, highlighted the strain that the influx is placing on the charity’s resources. “We’ve seen a huge influx of cats and kittens. Sadly, it just isn’t slowing down—and it’s having a massive impact on our centres and branches,” she said. The charity is currently taking in an average of 624 cats per month across its centers and private boarding locations.

A significant factor contributing to the surge is the rise in large-scale cat hoarding cases. In 2025, the RSPCA responded to 1,780 incidents involving at least 10 cats at a single address—an increase of nearly 65 percent from the previous year. These incidents involved over 36,000 cats, many of which required urgent rescue and care.

The charity also attributes the rise in stray and abandoned cats to a lack of neutering, urging pet owners to take responsible measures to control cat populations. Jo Rowland, the RSPCA’s chief executive, called on the public for support amid the ongoing crisis. “It’s a heart-breaking situation that other charities and rescue centres are also facing. We really need help from animal lovers,” she said.

Rowland encouraged those considering adding a pet to their homes to adopt from rescue organizations and also appealed for more foster carers to temporarily care for animals until permanent homes can be found. Foster carers play a vital role in alleviating shelter overcrowding, particularly as the RSPCA struggles to expand its physical capacity. The charity is simultaneously working to modernize its rehoming processes to facilitate quicker placements.

The RSPCA’s warnings come as the combined pressures of rising cat numbers, animal cruelty, and neglect cases continue to challenge rescue organizations nationwide, underscoring an urgent need for public involvement in adoption, fostering, and effective population control.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.