Orphaned kittens need teddy bears to help them feel safe, and how you can help

An animal rescue centre is appealing for donations of small teddy bears to give orphaned kittens something comforting to cuddle.

RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital is asking people to donate soft, washable toys for kittens who have been found alone without their mothers.

The centre, based at Frankley Green, currently has 113 cats in its care, with 51 being looked after on site and another 62 living with foster families.

Among them are 11 foster kittens, some of whom require round-the-clock hand-rearing by experienced carers.

Staff say the cuddly toys provide warmth and reassurance to young kittens during a vulnerable stage of their lives and can later accompany them to their new homes.

Holistic cat expert Katie Gwilt, founder of The Kat Lady, said: “For an orphaned kitten, losing the warmth, scent and physical reassurance of their mother and littermates can be incredibly unsettling. A small, soft teddy gives them something comforting to curl up against, helping them feel less exposed and alone, particularly when they are sleeping.

Katie Gwilt is supporting the drive to help the kittens thrive

“While a cuddly toy cannot replace their mum, it can provide a valuable sense of security during a very vulnerable stage of their development. Taking the same teddy into their new home can also offer a familiar source of comfort while they adjust to new people, scents and surroundings.”

Sisters Rose and Pearl are among the kittens being cared for by the Birmingham team after they were discovered without their mother.

Animal care assistant Demi McCormack has been hand-rearing the pair at home, providing them with dedicated care throughout the day and night.

Emma Finnimore, fostering and volunteer coordinator at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre, said: “We’d be really grateful if anyone who lives locally could drop by with donations of small, soft and cuddly toys and teddies that are washable so we can use them for our little kittens.

“Every teddy means another little kitten has someone soft and comforting to snuggle up to, so please help us give our babies some extra cuddles.”

The appeal comes as RSPCA rehoming centres face growing pressure to find space for an increasing number of cats and kittens.

Figures released by the charity show that its officers dealt with 1,752 incidents involving ten or more cats living at a single property during 2025, equivalent to almost five every day.

That represented a 67 per cent increase in multi-cat incidents in the space of a year.

The surge, combined with the influx of unwanted and abandoned animals during the main kitten season between May and September, has placed significant strain on the charity’s resources.

Emma added: “We have a number of orphaned kittens in our care at the moment, most of whom have been found wandering alone without their mum and have been rescued by members of the public or by our rescue teams.

“A cuddly toy gives them something warm to snuggle up to, replicating the warmth and comfort their mother would provide. Then, when we rehome them to loving new families, they get to take their beloved snuggly toy with them.”

Local people can drop off donations of small, soft and washable teddies at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre and Hospital between 11am and 3pm.

Anyone who would like to support the charity in another way can donate through its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues summer appeal at https://www.rspca.org.uk/summer-appeal.

Details of cats and other animals looking for new homes can be found at https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet.