A Somerset cat welfare charity founder says the need for rescue support has reached its highest level, adding that there are always more cats needing help than there are spaces available.

Ginny Parratt, who started Cats in Distress (CID) in Frome about ten years ago with a shed and a small volunteer team, now supports more than 350 cats each year. The charity works with members of the public to rescue stray and abandoned cats, and also takes in and rehomes unwanted pets.

To mark its 10th anniversary, CID has been raising awareness of what Parratt described as a growing need for rescue support. She said rehoming is central to the charity’s approach and that the organisation looks for the right match for each individual cat, noting that cats have different personalities and preferences.

CID is currently operating with a waiting list, with priority given to the most vulnerable cases, including pregnant or feeding queens and kittens. The charity works alongside national animal welfare organisations such as Cats Protection and the RSPCA.

Parratt also said the charity has changed over the decade and become more involved in the local community. She referenced activities such as pet care events for youngsters, working cat programmes with farms and stables, and neutering feral cats. She added that CID is also seeing more domestic cats coming in because some owners struggle to afford vet fees or face issues such as allergies.

A spokesperson for Cats Protection said the organisation is experiencing increased pressure during kitten season, and highlighted that neutering rates have fallen in recent periods, contributing to the broader need for help.