News

The RSPCA has issued an urgent ‘Adoptober’ plea with a record 1,700 cats needing homes

Like this lovely girl Roxy

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th October 2025

The RSPCA has issued an urgent plea for people to provide loving homes for rescue cat, with a record-breaking 1,700 moggies currently in the RSPCA Manchester & Salford Branch.

The charity has dubbed this month ‘Adoptober’ as it rushes to rehome as many of these gorgeous cats as possible.

The RSPCA has said that the number of cats needing homes has more than doubled since 2020, with an all-time high number of animals in the care of its branches.

They have also found that it’s taking, on average, a week long to find new homes for cats (rising from 32.5 days in September last year to 40 days on average this year).

There are several cats locally who are desperate to find their forever homes, like Roxy, who’s received no interest since she was placed up for adoption.

ADVERTISEMENT

The rise in numbers is partly due to several recent large-scale cruelty and neglect cases which have led to high numbers of cats being taken into the RSPCA’s care.

RSPCA cat welfare specialist, Alice Potter said: “We have an astonishing number of cats in our care who are looking for a new home. Many have come from recent large-scale cruelty and neglect cases.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We’re experiencing an unprecedented rehoming crisis, with centres so full they are unable to accept any more cats – so most of the incoming animals are having to be placed in private catteries until spaces become free in our own rehoming centres.

“Despite the best efforts of those who care for them, life in a cattery can be stressful for cats so by finding them loving homes as quickly as possible we can also free up space for other cats who need our help.

The RSPCA has issued an urgent 'Adoptober' plea with a record 1,700 cats needing homes
The RSPCA has issued an urgent ‘Adoptober’ plea with a record 1,700 cats needing homes

“This month’s Adoptober rehoming campaign is encouraging more people to consider adopting one of the lonely cats featured on our Findapet website who are looking for a forever home.”

ADVERTISEMENT

So back to that lovely girl Roxy – this five-year-old loving cat has been looking for a home for a couple of weeks but hasn’t had any interest.

Susie Hughes, Branch Manager, said: “Roxy came into our care from neglectful conditions – she had never been to a vet and had live fleas that had made her scratch her fur thin and cause scabs on her skin.

“Roxy has been in our care three weeks now and has really started to blossom. She is clearly feeling a lot better because she has now started to show her playful side and chase catnip toys.

“Roxy is a very sweet, people orientated kitty. She loves to weave around your legs, rub against you and even enjoy a lap snuggle – she just loves a fuss!”

Roxy has now moved into a foster home where she has come out of her shell more.

ADVERTISEMENT

She is looking for a home where she will have plenty of peace and quiet, no dogs or other cats and any children aged over 11.

“What Roxy wants is plenty of sofa cuddles, sunbathing opportunities and the chance to potter outdoors is a must,” added Susie.

“If you are reading this and you are the purrfect person for her, please get in touch. We’d love to find her a home this Adoptober!”

You can find more cats and kittens available for adoption from the branch here.

Alice added: “There’s a cat for everyone: cute kittens, marvellous moggies, fireside felines and outdoor adventurers, we’ve got every kind of cat waiting for another chance at happiness.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We always encourage prospective pet owners to look beyond appearance, breed and colour and instead look for a personality that matches you and your lifestyle. However, we also have purebred and pedigree cats coming into our care – so even those who have a particular breed or type in mind may find their perfect partner, without fueling problematic commercial breeding.

“We’d urge anyone ready and able to adopt a rescue animal to fill in a ‘perfect match’ form with your local RSPCA centre or branch and they’ll let you know when an animal who matches you comes into their care.”

Read more

Featured image: RSPCA

News

Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Dog at the vets

Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.

After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.

The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.

It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.

Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.

Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.

They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.

Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.

Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere

There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.

The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.

The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.

Read more:

“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”

Featured Image – Pxhere

News

Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.

David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.

The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.

While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.

After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.

GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.

Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.

“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.

Read more:

“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”

Featured Image – GMP

More News

Affiliate

Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup

Affiliate

The MOBO Awards in Manchester – everything you need to know

New build houses

Manchester

Greater Manchester could be getting a new town under ‘ambitious’ Government housebuilding programme

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches