When Cats Protection Tyneside Cat Centre opened its doors to the public on November 30, it was a place filled with the chatter of excited voices, the jingling of festive decorations and the scent of homemade baked goods – but for the cat rescue, their annual Christmas Fayre was more than just a lighthearted festive event; it was a vital fundraiser to support their ongoing efforts to care for and rehome cats in need.
Crowds of devoted cat lovers flocked to the centre from across Tyneside, Felling and Gateshead and were greeted with a variety of stalls offering everything from affordable cat care essentials to a nostalgic selection of festive tombolas and handmade gifts. The Fayre was not only a chance to raise much-needed funds for the cat shelter but also a heartfelt celebration of their year-round dedication; it granted visitors a meaningful opportunity to connect with the cause and the cats awaiting adoption.
In the midst of the bustling event, charity volunteers led guided tours through the heart of the centre, offering attendees an intimate glimpse into the lives of the cats awaiting adoption. Each feline had its own story, from playful kittens to older, more reserved cats longing for a quiet place to call home. The atmosphere was festive, but beneath the surface lay the sobering reality of the ongoing cat welfare crisis that has left many cats in limbo, waiting for a forever home.
While an average of 25% of households across England own at least one cat, the picture in the North East is far less rosy. The number of cat-owning households in the region has plummeted from 22% in 2023 to just 12% in 2024, a striking decline that underscores the rising financial struggles faced by pet owners.
With recent figures from the RSPCA revealing that the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by 51% in just three years, it’s no surprise that the Christmas period, traditionally a time of giving and warmth, has become one of the hardest seasons for both cat owners and rescue charities alike.
The Cats Protection Cats and Their Stats (CATS) 2024 annual report unveiled a pivotal shift in the cat market, with pedigree cats being acquired more frequently than moggies for the first time on record. Alongside this, the percentage of cats adopted from rescue centres has dropped significantly, declining from 24% in 2023 to just 18% in 2024, and it is uncertain as to whether this may just be clawing at the surface of deeper problematic trends emerging in the cat market.
Beni Benstead, the centre manager at Tyneside Cat Centre, described Christmas as “a really hard time for people.” With 12% of former cat owners reporting that the reason they no longer have a cat is due to financial constraints, she explained that Cats Protection Tyneside has been left with a lengthy waiting list, forcing the charity to “prioritise the cats and the people who are most in need of help.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by many of the volunteers at the Fayre. Among the hopeful faces at the centre this Christmas is Tinkerbell, a year-old moggie who holds the bittersweet title of the centre’s longest resident. After recovering from calicivirus, a feline respiratory disease, she has been waiting patiently in the centre for over 225 days – more than three-quarters of her short life – for the promise of a forever home.
Faced with growing financial challenges and an ever-growing tide of cats in desperate need of rescue, Cats Protection Tyneside depends heavily on the unwavering support of the community, with donations, adoptions, and volunteer efforts serving as lifelines to sustain their vital work.
“I feel like a lot of people think there’s not much they can do to support the charity if they’re not adopting a cat or volunteering,” said Keira Gratton, a former Cats Protection charity shop volunteer. “Just supporting your local Cats Protection shop, if you have one, is a great thing to do, or attending events like the Christmas Fayre. You can donate clothes or money, and you’ve helped massively. The little things add up.”
The money raised through the event will directly support the ongoing care of cats and kittens like Tinkerbell, ensuring they receive the critical services they need. The generous contributions of the public through charity events and donations make all the difference in Tyneside Cat Centre’s mission; from nourishing meals and veterinary care to vaccinations and neutering, they create a healthier and brighter future for every cat in their care.
To find out more about how to support Cats Protection Tyneside, visit www.cats.org.uk/tyneside
What a fabulous celebration for such an incredible cause! Thank you so much for sharing their mission!
Thanks for showing the statistics, I know a lot more about the local cats than I did before
That sure is a lot of cat owning households. Thank you for these statistics 🙂
I had never heard of this before! So interesting and supports an amazing cause. Thank you for shedding light on this topic!
This is such a lovely cause! I’m so glad it recieved such turnout.