A rescue cat is still waiting for a home – after 185 days in care.

Darwin, a ‘characterful cat’ who has been in the care of RSPCA Hants and Surrey Border Branch, is still waiting to be adopted. 

The one-year-old domestic short-breed cat was taken in by the RSPCA after he and many other cats were rescued from a property. 

The cats had not been socialised, so staff at the animal charity had to work hard to gain Darwin’s trust – before his real character shone through.

Liz Wood, rehoming and welfare coordinator at RSPCA Hants and Surrey Border Branch said: “Darwin is such a characterful cat and he can’t wait to leave the cattery and go to a home of his own. He often sits looking through the glass window of his cat pod meowing to get our attention.

“Out of all the cats removed from the property, Darwin has always been the most vocal. 

“He knows how to attract our attention in the hope of playtime or his favourite thing - food.

“He also loves to play with toys, so he will make a really fun and rewarding companion for the right home.”

The RSPCA is sharing Darwin’s appeal to shine a light on the many animals like him who are still waiting to be taken into a loving home.

The charity’s rehoming centres are full as more pets come into rescue than are being adopted, with a six percent increase in dogs and a four percent rise in cats reported between 2021 and 2022.

Darwin’s search for a home also comes after a three-year collapse in rehoming rates. 

In 2022, the RSPCA rehomed 27,535 animals – falling 30 per cent compared with 2019, when 39,178 were rehomed.

Liz added: “Although Darwin is unsure about being stroked and handled, we believe that once he’s settled into his new home and given plenty of time to himself, he will really come out of his shell, and potentially another friendly cat in the household could really help build his confidence even further.”

The RSPCA say they are currently facing the biggest rehoming crisis in recent memory, leaving rescue centres and branches “full to bursting” with more unwanted animals coming into care than are being adopted.