LARGE volumes of kittens are being born with nowhere to go. 

Cat Protection Adoption Centre has released an urgent plea after kittens are being handed into the centre with no foster carers to look after them.

The Evesham branch has gone from having seven foster carers to just one this year, causing a backlog of kittens.

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Over 30 kittens have been handed into care in 2023, but Cat Protection warns this is set to rise further.

The centre has described their situation as 'a perfect storm'.

Clara Youden, volunteer team leader, said: “We have already had more than 30 kittens in care this year, and kitten season is far from over.

"Usually, that wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately, we had a perfect storm which saw a group of our fosterers retire at the same time as others’ circumstances changed, so we have been unexpectedly left with just one fosterer to help us care for both kittens and adult cats who might not be suited to life at the centre.

“Cats need to be in foster care for a variety of reasons, they might be very young, abandoned kittens. 

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They might be long-stay cats who need to spend some time in the normality of a home, or they might be cats who have needed some medical care and need time to recuperate away from the centre.

"There are so many reasons why a cat needs the care and affection of a fosterer, and we desperately need more people to come forward.” 

She added that staff have resorted to setting themselves up as fosterers in emergencies, such as when kittens need round-the-clock care.

The centre has homed 129 cats already this year and helped many more.

It takes in cats from all backgrounds and ages, meaning fosterers might be looking after a ‘senior kitizen' first and then a mother with her newborn litter of kittens next.

Other than a love of cats, no additional skills are needed, and full training will be given.

Fosterers care for cats in their homes until a new owner can be found.

No special equipment is needed, but cat fosterers need a spare room where their foster cat can enjoy living safely in a home-from-home.

A behind-the-scenes glimpse at being a fosterer can be found here.