As the summer ‘kitten season’ starts, more cats than ever are looking for new homes, but the RSPCA reveals its rehoming rates are at their lowest point in June.

Over the last six years, each January the RSPCA typically take in between 500 and 750 cats and rehome between 500 and 600 that same month. However, over the same period in June the RSPCA typically take in 850-1,000 cats and yet only rehome 300 to 400 that month on average.

For example in January 2017, the RSPCA had 526 cats in their care and rehomed 501 but in June that same year the RSPCA took in 858 cats and rehomed 389. This means that at a time when the charity is seeing huge numbers of cats and kittens coming in, fewer people are coming forward to offer them homes, putting huge pressures on its rehoming centres.

RSPCA campaign manager Holly Barber said: “The RSPCA do see an influx in cat numbers during the summer months but our rehoming actually slows down during this time.

“This is likely to be because there are more cats available for rehoming generally so friends and family may have kittens they are wanting to be rehomed so potential owners are visiting rehoming shelters less. We also know that online advertisements increase dramatically during this time, possibly driving traffic away from cats in rehoming shelters.”

Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s companion animal expert, added: “We would always urge anyone thinking of getting a cat to consider whether they can give an animal love and attention for the next 14 years.

“It’s also important not to underestimate the importance of neutering, cats can be neutered from four months old. We know many litters are unplanned and these unwanted kittens lead to rescue centres like the RSPCA being full of cats needing homes.”