An animal charity says its facilities for cats and kittens were at capacity over the summer with a large proportion being treated for cat flu.  

Woodgreen, based in Godmanchester, has taken in 408 cats and kittens since the start of May.

When at capacity, it has cared for up to 140 felines.  

Beverley Street, Cat Section Manager at Woodgreen, said: “[Summer] is generally pretty busy for us because it’s the main kitten breeding season, and this will naturally have an impact on the numbers of cats and kittens in our care.  

“Many rescue centres become full and I suspect this is contributing to the number of cats that are being abandoned.  

“In terms of strays, cats tend to travel further afield when they are entire and looking for a mate.  

“This means that some cats/kittens are displaced and then end up in rescues such as Woodgreen.” 

Little kitten Jonesy being looked over by a vet when he was taken in at Woodgreen, the animal charity based at Godmanchester.Little kitten Jonesy being looked over by a vet when he was taken in at Woodgreen, the animal charity based at Godmanchester. (Image: Woodgreen) She added: “The cost of living may well be having an impact too, with people wanting to keep their pets but being unable to afford neutering and preventative healthcare.  

“Sadly, some of those cats/kittens may be given to us as strays or abandonment cases, but are actually owned.”     

The charity says cat flu cases are on the rise and one of their patients from the summer was a kitten called Jonesy.  

When Woodgreen visited his owner’s house, the team noticed immediately he looked very sick compared to the rest of his litter. 

Jonesy was unable to open his eyes because they were crusty and he was sneezing regularly. 

To prevent his siblings also becoming unwell, he was the first to be taken into Woodgreen for treatment and over time his condition improved.  

He has since been recovering well. 

Woodgreen says it has noticed a rise in cat flu, which is largely attributed to unvaccinated mum cats and kittens. It also highly recommends cat owners neuter their pets. 

More information about the charity is available on Woodgreen's website.