Longer-life cats are left on the shelf, says cat charity

Cats are living longer than ever before – but the homeless feline senior citizen takes around twice as long to find a home than the down-and-out youngster – according to new data from Cats Protection.

The charity says that improvements in veterinary care and medicine have dramatically raised the life expectancy and quality of life for thousands of cats, including those being looked after by Cats Protection’s 256 branches and 29 centres.

However, the bad news is that older cats are frequently overlooked by owners choosing a new pet - with figures showing it takes almost twice as long for an older cat, aged 10 or above, to find a home than a young cat or kitten - and this puts a massive strain on Cats Protection’s resources.

Maggie Roberts, the charity’s Head of Veterinary Services, said: “Whilst ten years ago the household moggie could have been expected to live to around thirteen, today’s life expectancy is much higher, with countless cats in our care surviving to their late-teens and early-20s in remarkably good health.

“However, their longer existence places Cats Protection under strain because older cats can block up pen spaces for many months, which means we are unable to help other needy cats or kittens until the older ones are found new homes.

“It is a shame because older cats have a lot to offer, as they tend to be lap cats and have much more settled natures. Though the charity does its very best to care for older cats, life in a cat pen is no substitute for a permanent home so I would urge people to consider adopting an older cat.”

The elderly cat.

Cat or kitten?