THE RSPCA has revealed there were 13,357 calls coming through to its cruelty line from the East of England last year with concerns for the welfare of cats – which is more than one every HOUR.

Across England and Wales the charity received more than 100,000 calls and rescues more cats than any other animal whether this is moggies stuck in tight spots, to cats that have been abandoned or neglected and abused.

This International Cat Day (August 8), the RSPCA is shining a light on the plight of cats and how we can help them.

Alice Potter, RSPCA’s cat welfare expert said: “It’s sad to see that we have received so many calls about cats in need. Cats end up needing our help for a variety of reasons, for example their natural curiosity can mean they need rescuing when they get into scrapes and tricky situations. There are also some real issues that we see time and again including cats and kittens being abandoned, cats having unplanned and unwanted pregnancies due to a lack of neutering and multi-cat households where breeding has sadly become out of control.

“However, there are many cats who are much luckier and are very much a part of the family and loved by their owners who understand their likes and dislikes, their little quirks and routines. Every cat is an individual but there are some signs we can look out for to see how our cats are feeling through understanding their body language and behaviour to ensure they are happy and healthy.”

Tips for understanding cat behaviour:

Cats who are feeling anxious or fearful often like to hide away – this can help them cope better. Always ensure your cat has lots of cosy hiding places around the house.
A cat who is feeling friendly and happy to meet you will approach with their tail held upright with the tip of the tail curved. Most cats prefer to initiate any interaction so give them time to come to you.
Rolling over onto their back and showing their tummy can be a sign your cat feels comfortable and safe around you. This is not however, an invitation to rub their belly! Most cats do not enjoy a belly rub and may react defensively. Instead, you may like to give them a gentle stroke on their head or cheeks.
Look out for any changes in your cats usual behaviour, for example changes to their eating toileting or sleeping habits – any change may indicate that something isn’t right and you may need to seek advice from your vet.

RSPCA centres across the region are full with rescue cats and kittens looking for loving new homes.

Bruce is a nine-year-old tabby and white cat who is showing off his best upside down face at RSPCA West Suffolk branch. He is a friendly cat who came into RSPCA care with an injury to his leg but he is back to full health now and ready to find a home with a new family and possibly another cat.

Tigger is a 10-year-old tabby cat looking for a home at RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire. He is a friendly and affectionate cat but will need a patient owner who can build up his trust. He has been patiently waiting for his forever home since November 2018 and sadly has been overlooked for younger cats.

Anyone who would like to rehome and RSPCA cat should visit the website www.rspca.org.uk/findapet