// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
More cats abandoned 'due to rising costs'
The Coventry shelter says it has looked after 150 more cats and kittens this summer than last year
An animal charity has said the cost of caring for pets is among reasons for a "huge increase" in the number of cats and kittens being taken in by its centre.
RSPCA Coventry and District Branch said it cared for 399 cats and kittens over the summer, which was 150 more than the same time last year.
Emma Davies of the centre said: "We think a lot of that is down to rising costs," adding it included the cost of neutering pets, which in turn resulted in more kittens being born.
Nationally, the RSPCA has warned of a "cat crisis" and said it is now caring for more felines than dogs, adding that the influxes have put pressure on its centres.
Emma Davies said cats and kittens have been left in boxes and bags at the centre in Coventry
The site in Coundon Wedge Drive, Coventry, is run independently to the national RSPCA and said it costs £40,000 a month to run the shelter.
It is currently full with 80 cats, but the centre told the BBC that there is also a waiting list of 130 people who are having to give up their pets.
Davies said: "If your cat is older and perhaps has a health condition, insurance for that and covering vet costs can also be expensive".
"So we are finding that a lot of people are looking to us to surrender their animal because they can no longer afford to take care of it," she said.