Shelters and rescue groups across Qld are nearing capacity, with RSPCA Queensland currently caring for 822 cats.
Over the past year, hundreds of cats requiring specialist care for behavioural or medical rehabilitation have found themselves turned in to the RSPCA.
RSPCA’s Cat Rehabilitation Program is dedicated to rehabilitating fractious felines and has proven successful in helping hundreds of timid, under socialised, and shy cats.
Emma Lagoon, spokesperson for RSPCA Qld, said the organisation was very much full with cats and they need more cat lovers to adopt.
“The program removes some of the everyday shelter life activities which can adversely affect these cats. The majority just need time and space, but this also means our centres can fill up fast.”
The program cared for 793 cats last year with 82 per cent successfully rehabilitated and adopted, while Kirsty Nalvarte, Head of Behaviour at RSPCA Qld, said they had a 100 per cent success rate with kittens 12 weeks and under.
“Fostering and specialised care give the cats and kittens much-needed human interaction and distance from other cats.
“Seeing these cats transform from standoffish or hissy cats to affectionate purr machines wanting to sit on your lap is just incredible and our staff, volunteers and foster carers play a large role in making this possible,” said Nalvarte.
All RSPCA shelters work with fractious cats and kittens and Dakabin, Kingaroy, and Gympie have small behaviour modification spaces they utilise onsite.
Cats enrolled in the program also utilise office space at the Brisbane RSPCA as part of an office foster program to help them adjust.
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