Cat Haven is facing its toughest season in recent years, with a surge in abandoned and stray cats pushing its shelter and foster network to the brink, and the organisation is turning to the local community for help.
In just one week, more than 85 cats and kittens arrived at the shelter, as adoption rates struggle to keep pace.
“This is one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced,” said Cat Haven’s marketing and fundraising manager Amber Ashford.
“Our shelter is always nearing capacity, and our foster care network is stretched thin with over 700 cats in care. We never say no to a cat in need, but the numbers are incredibly daunting.”
The not-for-profit has seen a rise in intake across many parts of Perth, including the City of Canning, where cost-of-living pressures are pushing more families to surrender their pets. Meanwhile, the cycle of stray and unsterilised cats continues to grow.
“There’s a high concentration of stray and undesexed cats in areas like Canning, which fuels the problem year after year,” Ms Ashford said.
Despite the growing demand, Cat Haven receives $150,000 from the State Government, covering less than 2 percent of its operating costs.
“We rely almost entirely on donations, adoption fees, and income from our Op Shops,” she said. “It’s a constant juggling act. Every cat that comes through our doors costs between $250 and $400 to prepare for adoption…and that’s if they’re healthy.”
The cost includes desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, parasite treatments, and sometimes additional medical care. To bridge the gap, the charity is finding new ways to bring in funds, including a new Op Shop on High Road in Willetton.
Following the success of its Scarborough shop, Cat Haven opened its Willetton location earlier this year to reach more supporters south of the river.
“The Op Shops are a vital part of our strategy to generate sustainable income and support our rescue work,” Ms Ashford said. “Opening in Willetton allows us to connect with a new community and tap into strong local foot traffic.”
Willetton Op Shop manager Brad Denholm said the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“From our opening day, people were coming in just to say how excited they were to have us here,” Mr Denholm said. “Donations have been generous, and we’ve already got regular customers and volunteers joining the team.”
However, he noted the store is more than just a place to shop.
“Every sale directly supports our rescue and rehoming work. We also get to talk to people about desexing, responsible cat ownership, and how they can get involved.”
With intakes showing no sign of slowing, Cat Haven is calling on the public to stay engaged.
“Every dollar, every adoption, every volunteer; it all matters,” Ms Ashford said. “But beyond that, we need people to understand the bigger picture. The only way we can break this cycle is together.”
