THERE were more than 100 reports of cat cruelty in Cumbria in 2021, the RSPCA said.

It fears that new figures showing a recent boom in the kitten trade could see a worrying rise in unscrupulous breeders putting profits before welfare. 

In the last five years, there were 825 reports made to Trading Standards, council officers who enforce consumer protection laws, across England and Wales involving kitten-related complaints. Compared with 2017 figures there was a 185 per cent increase in 2021 in the buying and selling of kittens.

READ MORE: RSPCA reveals that cruelty to dogs is increasing in Cumbria

Over the last six years (2016-2021), there were 16,212 incidents of deliberate cruelty towards cats reported to the animal welfare charity which equals a staggering seven cats a day suffering at the hands of humans. In 2021 alone, there were 1,387 reports of intentional harm to cats and this peaked during the months of July and August.*

Overall, there were 17,804 complaints made to the charity regarding cats in 2021 from abandonments, poisonings, mutilations, shootings, beatings and neglect. This includes 105 reports in Cumbria alone.

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."

The RSPCA launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to raise funds to keep its rescue teams saving animals.