'If you can't afford to get your cat neutered, don't get one' warns Oxfordshire charity
An animal sanctuary in Oxfordshire says the number of unwanted kittens has doubled in the past two years, mainly because owners are not neutering their pets.
Animal charities are becoming overwhelmed with unwanted kittens because people aren't neutering their cats.
The RSPCA says more than 1,400 cats were in its care across England and Wales at the end of 2025 - an increase of 72% from four years ago.
It's believed a lack of vet appointments and the rising cost of surgery is to blame.
Speaking to ITV News, manager of the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, Iain Atkin said they are seeing almost 200 more kittens every year arriving, needing to be looked after.
"Mainly it's because people are not neutering their cats or there are lots of stray, un-neutered cats roaming around that are multiplying with lots and lots of numbers of kittens.
"I would think it's partly cost of living crisis, partly vet bills, people can't afford to neuter their cats.
"Now whilst I would agree that vet bills have gone up quite significantly for all of us, I think the main point is if you can't afford to get your cat neutered, don't get one in the first place."
Iain Atkin, manager of the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary
Charities such as the RSPCA in Oxfordshire offer help the cost of neutering your pet.
The system runs on means-tested benefits so that pets that are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies can be treated.
Those who qualify are offered a voucher which is emailed to the vet, and deducted from the bill.
Local vet Zoe Fry added that neutering can be beneficial to cats' health.
"If you remove the parts, you remove the risk of cancer in that particular organ," she said.
"We also enormously reduce the risk of some communicable diseases like FIV, which is the cat version of AIDS, and feline FELV as well. Those diseases tend to be spread by contact, either through mating or fighting.
"Both those behaviours are more or less eradicated, if not reduced, by neutering your animal before they go outside when they're young."
The cost of neutering a cat can be between £100 and £250, but Zoe says often for female cats the price is heavily subsidised.
"I'm very sympathetic to the cost now, and how prices for going to the vet has increased an enormous amount recently.
"For a female cat, we are talking about a sort of full ovarian hysterectomy - it is an invasive abdominal surgery.
"However, we can do it almost through a keyhole procedure when they're young and when they're small, and we can do it at a discounted price when it is uncomplicated, when they are not pregnant, when they are not infected, and their recovery is really quick."
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