THE RSPCA has revealed that it received more than 200 reports of cat cruelty in Worcestershire and Herefordshire last year.

The animal welfare charity said in 2021 they received 17,804 complaints regarding cats from abandonment, poisoning mutilations, shootings, beating and neglect.

This includes 227 reports in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The RSPCA fears that new figures showing a recent boom in the kitten trade could see a rise in breeders putting profits before welfare and could spell further cruelty to cats.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “The demand for pets soared during the pandemic meaning backstreet kitten breeders have been able to make more money out of flogging pets online.

“We normally see a rise in kittens being sold at this time of year and coupled with the cost of living crisis, sadly we could see a boom in the kitten trade this year as a result.

Sam Watson, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “It’s awful to think cats are suffering deliberate cruelty and to know that an average of seven cats every single day are suffering at the hands of humans is really distressing.

“Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 10.5 million pet cats in UK homes but sadly they are the second most abused pet - after dogs. 

“Tragically, we see hundreds of animals that come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, thrown across the room, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.

“As well as being hurt by their owners, cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”