Samantha Hyam, a 40-year-old Dulwich resident, has launched Furrever Wellness, a service aimed at changing the perception that cats are "easily discarded" and reducing abandonment across London. The initiative began at the start of this year during a period of ill health, after Hyam noticed a high number of cats needing rehoming on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Addressing the root causes of cat abandonment
Speaking to News Shopper, Hyam said: "There was an overall, unspoken narrative about cats just being objects that can be easily discarded and I started to ask why are so many cats needing to be rehomed?" She conducted research into existing resources for cat guardians, finding that much of the focus was on prevention via neutering.
"I wondered whether it was a financial thing with the cost of living and after doing some research I realise it wasn't just a financial thing – it was an educational thing as well," she explained. Hyam, who has around 20 years of teaching experience specialising in the nervous system and self-development, created Furrever Wellness to educate cat owners on adapting their homes and understanding their cats' needs. She believes this knowledge can fix behavioural issues and reduce abandonment figures.
Educating cat owners to prevent surrender
"Whilst cats are independent compared to dogs, they still have basic, foundational needs," Hyam said. "When these needs aren't met you will start to see issues with health and behaviour and things that spiral in the home and create a destructive environment. This then escalates into cats needing to be surrendered and worst still, cats being left on the side of the road and abandoned."
Hyam publishes a quarterly 'Digital Cat Cafe Newsletter' with over 400 subscribers and offers a 30-day 'Thriving Cat Experience' to help people adapt their homes. In November, she will launch a 'Confident Cat Club' membership teaching "science-backed" information about cats. "My mission is to essentially – fingers crossed – significantly reduce the amount of abandonment, abuse and surrenders because rescue centres are heaving," she said.
RSPCA data shows rising abandonment crisis
RSPCA data shows that 286 animals classified as "abandoned" were taken in by the charity across Greater London in 2025, up from 261 in 2024 and 236 in 2023. Nationwide, the number of abandoned animals in England and Wales reached 27,965 last year, up from 23,564 in 2024, according to the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Jade Guthrie told News Shopper: "It's been an incredibly challenging year for many pets. Our frontline officers are struggling to get to every call, and even when we do, our centres are full - we're reaching crisis point. It is especially a problem with cats - cats and kittens being abandoned in cardboard boxes outside is sadly becoming more common."
Hyam said she has spoken to several animal charities across the capital, which often recount stories of people coming in for "cuddly kittens" without considering the long-term commitment. "Somebody getting a cat for the first time needs to educate themselves on what is going to be needed from you as the owner," she said. "Do your research – find out the good stuff but also the bits that will effect your daily life. And if you have a cat and you're struggling - don't cope alone. Reach out to groups or even charities or rescues – they'll have places to refer you to or they can advise you. A lot of the time, behavioural stuff can be fixed and you can have a beautiful bond with your cat."
