Chelmsley Wood campaigner calls for action as cat rescue crisis puts pressure on Solihull

A Chelmsley Wood campaigner is calling for action to tackle the growing number of unwanted cats and kittens after launching a parliamentary petition calling for a national strategy to tackle cat overpopulation.

Bradley Shaw launched the petition after volunteering with animal rescue groups and seeing the pressure being placed on organisations caring for abandoned and unwanted cats.

The petition calls for more affordable neutering, greater support for rescue centres, better education around responsible pet ownership and action to tackle irresponsible breeding and abandonment.

It has now attracted more than 16,000 signatures, with the Government responding to the campaign.

The petition comes as animal rescue organisations across the West Midlands report increasing pressure from unwanted cats and kittens.

The RSPCA has reported a 67% increase in rescues involving multiple cats over the past year, while its Birmingham centre recorded 337 cats and kittens from multi-cat rescues during a count in June.

Rescue workers say a lack of neutering can contribute to the problem, with unneutered cats able to produce large numbers of kittens and feral colonies becoming established in residential areas.

What is happening in Solihull?

The issue is also relevant to cat owners across Solihull, with local veterinary practices offering neutering services for owned and feral cats.

Cats Protection lists YourVets in Olton among practices offering early neutering, with cats able to be neutered from four months old and feral cats from weaning.

The Government said it is committed to improving its understanding of cat breeding practices and working with animal welfare organisations and local authorities to promote responsible pet ownership.

It also highlighted existing community neutering programmes run by organisations including Cats Protection and the RSPCA.

Shaw's petition remains open until 19 February 2027 and would need to reach 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in Parliament.

The campaign gives the wider rescue crisis a direct Solihull connection, with a Chelmsley Wood resident calling for changes to prevent more unwanted cats and kittens entering an already stretched rescue system.

Sign the petition: Parliamentary petition to tackle cat overpopulation