Devon’s elderly population fuels older cat crisis at Plymouth animal charitiy

Devon’s elderly population is contributing to a dramatic rise in the number of older cats being rescued by a Plymouth animal charity.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust at Elfordleigh, on the outskirts of Plymouth, is struggling to cope with the number of middle-aged cats being made homeless when their elderly owners are taken into hospital, long-term care or sadly pass away.

Half of the cats currently being cared for by the sanctuary are aged eight or over, with the eldest being 17 years old.

Often no provision has been made for these cats before they are rescued by the sanctuary, where they can remain for months or even years. 

Woodside is now urging people to consider giving a loving home to these older animals, who are routinely overlooked by people drawn to the cute kittens.

Assistant Manager Lisa Darcy said: “We have noticed that older people are trying to take on very young animals.

“What we are seeing is a lot more middle aged cats where their owners are ill and going into nursing or residential homes, or the cats are outliving their owners.

“When older people take on a young cat they say ‘It’s okay because I have arranged for family to have the cat should anything happen.’ But by the time it gets to that stage, the family member’s circumstances have changed and they can no longer have the cat.”

Woodside typically looks after around 150 cats at any one time, rescuing animals from a vast area which stretches from Plymouth to Kingsbridge in the South Hams, Okehampton and Tavistock in West Devon, Launceston, Liskeard and Polperro in South East Cornwall and parts of Totnes.

As the only animal sanctuary in the local area with a dedicated older animal unit, Woodside is inundated with requests to take in older cats.

While the region’s elderly population is a major contributor, relationship break-ups are another factor in the rising tide of rescued older animals.

For the elderly cats taken in, Woodside will try to find a space in its dedicated ‘oldies’ unit, where the cats are treated to more creature comforts in a peaceful setting, have room to roam and receive more attention from staff.

But with this unit already full-up with around 20 elderly residents, it is the middle-aged moggies who are left in the standard pens.

Sanctuary manager Helen Lecointe said: “The elderly cats are in our older cats’ unit and have a nice life. It is the middle-aged cats, aged 6-plus, who tend to be the harder ones to rehome.”

Having been parted from their owners, the charity is noticing these cats becoming depressed, and is desperately trying to find them the loving homes they deserve.

The older cats can make perfect pets, according to Helen, and are far easier to care for than kittens.

While kittens require a great deal of time and attention, middle-aged cats tend to be easy to look after, are independent and make loving companions, she said.

“By going for an older cat you can choose the type of cat you want and what temperament suits your lifestyle,” Helen said.

“If you want a lap cat it’s a lottery with a kitten. With an older cat you are going to know if it is a lap cat, for example, because the temperament is displayed by that age.  If you want a cat that’s going to go out, you are going to know if the cat is happier being out.

“We find that younger cats dictate your life a lot more, it’s like having a baby. You have to consider your own circumstances.  You have to be realistic about what you are taking on with a kitten. The younger they are the more they rule the roost.

“Cats can live to between the age of 15 and 20 typically, so if you take on a middle aged cat you are still going to have a long time with that cat.”

Every animal at Woodside Sanctuary is fully vet checked, wormed and spayed or neutered.

Helen added: “When they are surrounded by younger cats the reality is the older cats can be here for an awfully long time.  They see kittens going from either side of them and they are still here.”

If you could offer an older animal a home, please email generalenquiries@woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or call the sanctuary on 01752 347503. To find out more about Woodside Sanctuary visit www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or find the sanctuary on Facebook.

*PHOTO: Elderly cat Charlotte, aged 15, is looking for a home with no other animals, and staff member Kirstin Stone.