Cork refuge is turning away kittens as evictions and lack of neutering see numbers rise

More than 80 kittens and cats are waiting to be rehomed as a Cork charity says it is turning people away because it is full, with evictions being blamed for some of the increase in numbers.

Cork Cats Action Trust said it cannot take any more of the cats into its care because it has been an exceptional kitten season this year.

Turning people away has been the “most uncomfortable thing in the world”, a spokesperson said.

“It’s an awful position to be in, but we are just at maximum capacity,” charity trustee Jessica Quinn said.

“Considering we do not have a shelter or physical premises for the kittens to go to, we rely entirely on our volunteers and our fosters to take cats into their own homes,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s been a day this year where I haven’t had kittens in every room of my house,” she added.

Ms Quinn said it is difficult to pinpoint the reason for an increase this year, but believes that both a lack of neutering and evictions are a factor.

Ms Quinn said the charity paused rehoming to renters across the country earlier this year.

People being evicted with nowhere else to go are giving up their cats.

“It’s the cats and the dogs who are suffering the most from this, and it is really making us and other rescues think about it.

“Even if someone has written permission from their landlord, it’s not this landlord’s problem we have to worry about; it’s the next landlord. So if something happened, and if people say they have a back-up plan, then we can consider those types of adoptions.

“However, most people don’t have those back-up plans, so it means they can’t adopt, because we need that security for the cat,” Ms Quinn added.