May 27, 2020 1.10 pm This story is over 46 months old

Cat crisis as RSPCA receives over 100 calls in Lincolnshire since lockdown

There are more cats in care than any other pet
Photos: RSPCA
By Local Democracy Reporter

The RSPCA has more cats than any other pet in care, with over 100 charity hotline reports in Lincolnshire alone since lockdown began.

104 incidents have been reported in the county since the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown.

The most notable incident was a cat rescued from a 40ft tree on Barnetby Road in Scunthorpe on April 14. The kitten got her neck tangled in branches, needing rescuing by Humberside Fire and Rescue before being reunited with her owner.

Layla being rescued by the fire brigade. Photo: RSPCA

Across the UK, there are 1,013 cats in care and there are 6,630 cases involving cats that have been reported to the RSPCA. Last year, there were 108,190 incidents reported about cats including 2,187 in Lincolnshire.

Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “we are currently caring for more cats than any other pet throughout the coronavirus crisis.

“Our frontline officers will continue to rescue as many cats as we can and our animal centre staff, hospitals and branches will carry on caring for the many cats coming into our care throughout the crisis.

“We rely on donations from our generous supporters to carry out this vital work and need their support now more than ever as our services become stretched to the limit.”

Animal rescuers have been considered key workers by the government, and the RSPCA charity has launched an emergency appeal to help fund all the frontline staff.