Animal charity warns pet hoarders driving rise in cats needing homes

Pet hoarders are contributing to a huge rise in the number of cats needing to be rehomed, the RSPCA has said.

Abandoned felines are arriving at RSPCA centers faster than they can be adopted, with the charity now at "crisis point" as it struggles to find space for the ever-growing number of cats and kittens being handed over to their care.

Pet hoarders, who keep excessive numbers of cats without providing basic standards of food, water, shelter, veterinary care, or sanitation, are contributing to the rise in cats needing rescue, according to the charity.

In 2025, the charity saw a staggering 67% increase in multi-cat rescues, with 1,752 incidents involving 10 or more cats at a single address.

In May this year, animal rescuers were called to a home in Woking, Surrey, to find what started as three unneutered females had spiraled into a "semi-feral colony" of more than 50 cats living with worms and flea infestations.

While the owner "loved all [the] cats deeply", she felt overwhelmed and was unable to cope with the sheer number, prompting the charity to step in.

The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I loved all my cats deeply and cared for them as best I could, but I just couldn't cope - and as time went on, I was too embarrassed to ask for help."

Over the following nine days, an RSPCA officer and Cats Protection volunteer worked from early morning until around midnight most days to coordinate veterinary treatment, neutering and emergency fostering.

The operation resulted in 36 cats and kittens entering charity care, and 17 adults being neutered and returned – out of which only six will remain after the rest have found new homes.

They continued: "If anyone is in a similar situation to me, please don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help - as scary as it is, an animal's welfare is the top priority in a situation like this."

Animal rescue officer Meg Lloyd, who was involved in the multi-cat rescue, said of the owner: "She did not know exactly how many cats she had - we found at least 50 - it was heartbreaking to see them in such awful conditions.

"But despite the severity of the situation, [she] had not deliberately neglected her cats - she cared for them deeply but she was in a vulnerable position and had simply become overwhelmed by the uncontrolled breeding.

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"What started out as three unneutered females had spiraled into what was effectively a semi-feral colony - this is why it is so, so important to make sure pet cats are neutered."

Another charity, Margaret Green Animal Rescue, which operates across Dorset and Devon, found 100 cats in a run-down property.

One of the cats was Doris, who had limited vision in one eye, possibly due to worms on the retina.

Another cat, Delilah, who was pregnant, underweight and riddled with fleas, gave birth to four kittens, three of which could not be saved.

Over weeks of support for the cats, Margaret Green Animal Rescue helped the cats to recover, with both Doris and Delilah now finding loving owners.

Rescues involving more than one cat have increased by 67% within a year, from 1,045 incidents in 2024 to 1,752 in 2025.

While most include the rescue of fewer than 20 cats, there were five cases where over 100 cats were rescued.

Cases of large numbers of animals being kept at one address can be linked to mental health struggles, the cost-of-living crisis, or breeders operating with poor practices.

The RSPCA said that initially well-meaning individuals often see situations spiral out of control.

RSPCA Assistant Director of Animal Services Beth Clements said: "There are simply more cats and kittens coming into our care than we have the space for.

"We're desperate for adopters and fosterers to come forward and help free up space in our centers.

"A cattery is not the ideal environment for cats and kittens, and getting them into a home as soon as we can is much better for their overall welfare."

It added that with 20,000 cats having been rescued in 2025, concerns exist regarding this number being exceeded this year.