Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th March 2025
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Charity reports increase in designer cats
Murphy was brought to the RSPCA centre with long, matted fur.
Designer cats’ complex needs may cause more surrenders.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has reported a sharp increase in designer cats being surrendered to their branch in Kent.

The charity says that ten per cent of the cats rescued since January at RSPCA Canterbury and District were pedigree cats.

Natalie Archer, branch manager at the centre, reports being ‘inundated’ with pedigree cats and pedigree crosses. Many of the breeds have exaggerated physical features, causing suffering, behavioural difficulties and making them prone to particular disorders.

RSPCA believes that many of the pet owners which have surrendered ‘designer cats’ did so without understanding their complex care needs. For example, brachycephalic cats need their eyes wiped regularly.

Brachycephalic cats’ flat faces means they will also struggle to breathe, sleep and give birth.

Other designer cats like Murphy, a nine-year-old ragdoll cross, need regular grooming to prevent their long fur becoming matted. Murphy was brought into the rescue centre after his owners had a change of circumstances, and volunteers took the time treat his matted fur.

This increase in designer cats has prompted RSPCA to renew its calls for pet breeders to consider cats’ health and welfare over their exaggerated features.

Ms Archer said: “The RSPCA strongly believes that all those who breed cats should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring.
 
“We know owners want their pets to be happy and healthy, and people may not realise that cats bred with exaggerated features can struggle with extremely serious health problems. We would like to see breeders doing more to ensure they are producing kittens who are happy and healthy.”

RSPCA asks that prospective cat owners look ‘beyond the label’ when choosing to rescue a cat, while also being aware of the additional care needs of many designer cats. Adoptees can view Murphy, and other available cats, on the RSPCA website.

Image © RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.