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A white and orange cat lies on a digital scale at a veterinary clinic, next to a person in a green Woodgreen jacket standing by a towel-covered table.

An unneutered cat can be responsible for 2,000 kittens

When unneutered cats mate, they can be responsible for thousands of kittens (their own, and then their kittens’ kittens) in just five years. Here's what we're doing to tackle this crisis.

Two gray kittens with blue eyes sit on a soft beige blanket next to a blue blanket with white polka dots in a bright room. One kitten is standing while the other is sitting, both looking toward the camera.

We’re experiencing a stray cat population crisis. Summer is always our busiest season for taking in pregnant cats and vulnerable kittens, and sadly, every year it’s getting worse.

Most pet owners want to do the right thing when it comes to neutering their cats, but advice can be confusing or inconsistent, and financial restraints can also get in the way.

It’s one of the reasons we run our free community cat clinics.

At these events, we can give owners clear, up-to-date advice, check their cat for any health issues, and provide financial support towards neutering.

At our most recent cat clinic, we helped neuter 14 cats – preventing unwanted litters, and helping to control the stray cat population.

But what really surprised us was the stories behind this crisis, and how it effects people and their pets…

"Due to the high population of cats, more often than not the people we meet have actually rescued cats and kittens. What they have done is such a kind thing but it’s usually unexpected."

Serena, Community outreach officer

Serena met one family who had rescued a whole litter of kittens, taking them in and providing warmth, comfort and care they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Because of the kindness and generosity of this family, the kittens were growing into healthy, happy young cats, spreading joy and mischief wherever they went. But the family never expected to have one cat, let alone five, and they were worried about the cost of neutering them.

Woodgreen were able to help – keeping all five cats in a loving home, and preventing more unwanted kittens from being born.

A woman with wavy, light brown hair wearing a green hoodie smiles while holding a small calico kitten against a plain white background.

Thanks to your support, events like our community cat clinic help to tackle big problems like the cat population crisis. But they also help pets and their people.

“Running cat clinic is one of my favourite things to do,” Serena says.

“It brings me huge satisfaction seeing so many setting off on a safer path going forwards.”

A woman in a green jumper and blue gloves examines an orange and white cat on a counter in a veterinary surgery. The cat sits on a set of scales, surrounded by animal care tools and toys.

Help us run events like our community cat clinic

Will you help us provide advice and support for struggling pet owners, preventing crisis situations before they happen?

Monthly donation Single gift
£

£5 could provide special treats for giving tablets in, to make sure vulnerable pets receive medication.

£

£8 a month could go towards essential first vaccines to keep young kittens healthy.

Woodgreen Pets Charity is a registered charity (no. 298348)

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© 2026 Woodgreen Pets Charity. Woodgreen is a registered charity (no. 298348) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 02073930). Registered office Kings Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH.

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