A younger cat named Calibri has spent her first birthday in Battersea’s care after falling pregnant with kittens at simply 9 months outdated. With right now marking World Spay Day, the charity is utilizing Calibri’s story to remind house owners of the significance of neutering cats from a younger age.
Calibri and her three kittens – Roman, Lucida and Comic – have been introduced into Battersea’s London centre at the beginning of this 12 months as her earlier proprietor was unable to afford the price of caring for extra cats after their pet’s unplanned being pregnant.
With the kittens simply 10 days outdated on arrival, after an intensive medical examine the younger household went to stick with a foster carer, the place they have been expertly cared for and socialised within the privateness and tranquillity of a house surroundings.
Last 12 months, Battersea noticed 133 kittens born throughout its three centres in London, Old Windsor and Brands Hatch – the best determine prior to now decade. The charity has already taken in 46 kittens thus far in 2023.
These figures come as Battersea continues to see excessive ranges of demand from house owners trying to give their pet to its centres for rehoming, with a rising quantity citing monetary pressures as the primary cause for relinquishment. In January this 12 months, 21 per cent of animals have been introduced into Battersea by house owners who advised them they might not afford to maintain them or afford their vet payments – up from simply 1 per cent in December 2021.

Commenting on Calibri’s story, Rehoming and Welfare Manager Bridie Williams stated: “It’s not unusual for us at Battersea to see cats like Calibri who’re primarily nonetheless kittens themselves, having kittens of their very own.
“Whilst we’re assured that Calibri will go on to a brand new, loving residence, in a really perfect state of affairs we’d by no means need to see house owners compelled to make the troublesome resolution to surrender their pet due to a pricey, unplanned being pregnant.
“With the price of residing remaining excessive, this World Spay Day we need to remind house owners that getting their younger cats neutered from an early age is one of the best ways of stopping massive, unexpected bills. At a time when family budgets are being squeezed, we’d urge folks to do not forget that the up-front price of neutering your cat pales compared to that of caring for a younger mum and her kittens.”
Battersea analysis places the common yearly price of proudly owning a cat at £1,500. With kittens in a position to attain sexual maturity at simply 4 months outdated, the charity advises pet house owners to get their younger cats neutered between 9 and 12 weeks.
Bridie continues: “Cats can come into season once more simply six weeks after giving beginning, so in case your cat has had a current unintentional litter, be sure you communicate to your vet to ebook in a spay to stop any additional undesirable pregnancies.”
For extra recommendation on pet neutering, please go to Battersea’s web site recommendation right here: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice.
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