Overlooked and forgotten – could you change the lives of a group of ‘long-stay’ rescue cats who have each been looking for their forever homes for longer than a year?
Lola (pictured) Henry, Bartley and Simpson are being cared for by the RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire Branch; and as ‘long stays’ have all been waiting for their forever homes for far too long. However, it is hoped this will change this October – which the RSPCA is renaming Adoptober!
Their urgent rehoming appeal comes as the RSPCA reveals it is facing a rehoming crisis across England and Wales. New figures show that in 2023, 42% more animals arrived at the RSPCA than were adopted.
Rehoming centres across England and Wales are at near or full capacity, with pets either waiting to be adopted, or being assessed for adoption – leaving countless dogs, cats and other animals still in emergency boarding waiting for a place at a rehoming centre.
In response, the RSPCA – which is marking its 200th year – is launching its annual ‘Adoptober’ rehoming campaign; urging animal lovers to adopt a pet from a rescue centre or RSPCA branch rather than buying from a breeder to help ease the spiralling rehoming crisis.
Lola has been in the care of RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire Branch since February 2023.
Little Lola may be small but she has a huge, bubbly personality. She is heaps of fun and loves people and she certainly has a little mischievous streak.
A RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire Branch spokesperson said: “She is ideally looking for a home where someone is around part of the day as she enjoys company.
“She would also fit well into a family with sensible older children who are mature enough to understand Lola’s need for a special diet. Lola can only eat Royal Canin Digestive Food and she must continue with this diet long term.”
Larger than life Henry is looking for a caring indoor home with someone who is at home for much of the time.
He loves company and wants to be in the middle of everything you are doing. He is very sociable and will happily greet all of your guests, and will insist on being the centre of attention!
Henry is FIV positive so has a daily tablet to keep his immune system healthy but he takes this without any problems in his food.
The seven year old feline is looking for plenty of space. Ideally, He would also love a secure and fully enclosed area in a garden or patio if possible, but this is not essential.
Could the handsome Henry be your perfect match this Adoptober? He has been waiting so long as he has been in RSPCA care since January 2023 – so his time has surely come for forever home happiness!
Meanwhile, eight year old Bartley has been with the branch for exactly a year!
He is a sweet boy and is looking for a chilled home to relax in. He is friendly and enjoys attention and a good fuss; he could live with sensible children who are used to being around cats.
Bartley would love someone who is around during the day but would be happy to entertain himself for a reasonable period of time and he will need direct access to a secure, private garden via a cat flap.
Simpson is a sweet girl looking for a calm, adult-only home or one with children aged 10 years or over. She has been in the care of RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire since December 2023.
She is very friendly and enjoys attention and a good fuss and is looking for a home where she would be the only cat in the household
Potential adopters can get in touch with RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire Branch this Adoptober to find out more!
Last year, while the RSPCA’s 14 rehoming centres and 135 independently-run branches found new homes for an incredible 28,208 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, that was far fewer than the 40,118 animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales.
Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “Our rescue centres are jam-packed, and across the board, we’ve been seeing more animals coming to us than we are rehoming.
“We are issuing a rallying cry to anyone considering adding a pet to their family to step in and help by giving a rescue pet a second chance instead of buying from breeders.
“Our rehoming centres have reached crisis point and are full-to-bursting, creating a bottle-neck where we’re having to care for rescued animals at emergency boarding kennels and catteries.
“Last year, across England and Wales, the RSPCA took in over 40,000 dogs, cats and other animals, but only around seven out of 10 of those – 28,208 – were rehomed. This increasing discrepancy between animal intake and rehoming numbers is a worrying trend, and means so many animals are still waiting for a home”.
Karen added: “We are also still seeing the effect of the pandemic on dogs and an increase in those coming into care with complex behaviour, which is contributing to the pressure for spaces at rehoming centres. This is compounded by the cost of living crisis with fees associated with their pet care beyond the means of some people at the moment.
“The cost of living seems to be a driving factor across the board. Our recent Animal Kindness Index found that 83% of pet-owners in the East of England felt that the cost of looking after their pet had become slightly or much more expensive, with owners finding the costs of pet food and vet bills higher.
“But our amazing teams are doing all they can. Our 135 independently run branches continue to rehome at a phenomenal pace and we are extremely proud of the work that they do.They play a vital role in local communities across England and Wales and whilst they feel the pressure of taking in more animals they have done an incredible job finding so many loving new homes.”
The RSPCA hopes its month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign will increase adoption rates across England and Wales. The drive celebrates the benefits of rescue pets, highlights the many animals that are waiting to find their perfect ‘forever’ match and dispels myths about rescue pet rehoming.
Karen added: “There’s nothing more heartwarming than a successful adoption, and the wonderful staff at our branches and centres celebrate every time an animal finds their forever home.
“So if you’re looking for a pet – whether it’s a cat or dog, a donkey or a bearded dragon – please visit our user-friendly ‘Find A Pet’ webpage and ‘adopt don’t shop’ this Adoptober.”
