The rising cost of everything is making things tough for Cat Rescue Dunedin, as it faces vet bills of up to $10,000 a month and cat food costs of $800 a week.
"We are facing tough times and busy times at Cat Rescue Dunedin — costs have gone through the roof," Cat Rescue Dunedin Charitable Trust chairwoman Debby Foster said.
Recently returned from a Humane Society conference in the United States, Mrs Foster said high costs were a world-wide phenomenon, as rescues everywhere struggled to access veterinarians and battled to afford to feed their animals.
"And this is at a time when the flood of cats and kittens needing care remains as intense as ever."
Mrs Foster said Cat Rescue Dunedin had taken in 432 cats and kittens so far this year, which was comparable to last year’s figures, and had 53 cats available for adoption.
"The number of people wanting to adopt cats has gone down, partly because those available are adults, but also because it is tough times for everyone at the moment," she said.
"Donations are down as well — our food donation bins are not as full as they once were.
"And we know this situation is no different to any other charity, and we are always grateful for any donations we receive from our wonderful supporters."
Adding to the pressure on rescues around the world was the problem of kitten season extending much further into the cooler months due to warming temperatures.
Mrs Foster said the support of SPCA veterinarian Lyndell Olley and vet nurse Phoebe Loper, who helped with low-cost desexing of many cats, had been crucial to the survival of the charity.
"We are so grateful for their help."
The ongoing influx of cats, coupled with the slow-down in adoptions, has meant that the Cat Rescue Dunedin shelter has spent a lot of time full this year.
"We would have liked to have taken in more cats this year, but we haven’t had the room," Mrs Foster said.
There had also been a growing number of cats abandoned by their owners, either by moving away and leaving them behind, or dumping them. These were reported to the SPCA.
In response the rescue has reduced the cost of cats available on its website and made the tabbies half-price.
"For some reason it can be difficult to find homes for tabbies, which is very sad, because they are gorgeous cats with great personalities. Some have been waiting for months."
To help meet its rising costs, Cat Rescue Dunedin is working on some new ideas for fundraising, and will be on-hand at the new Animal Attraction site at 105 Cumberland St, this Saturday, July 20, from 10am-2pm.
Volunteers will run a sausage sizzle and raffles, and will have some cats available for adoption.
