ANIMAL lovers are urgently needed to adopt a rapidly growing number of cats in the care of a county animal charity.

The Worcester and District branch of Cats Protection is bursting at the seams with cats and kittens after being inundated with unwanted pets in recent weeks.

A recent influx of cats from some homes – combined with the impact of the economic downturn - has put an enormous amount of pressure on the charity.

The rise in numbers has been growing since April, where they started with 51 cats, but it has now shot up to 78 cats , including 31 kittens.

Lynn Glaze, branch co-ordinator, said: “We’ve coped so far but now have no capacity left at all. All our spare bedrooms and pens are full with mums with tiny kittens which will be around for the next 10 weeks.

"Several of the nursing mums are feral or stray and the people who have found them have agreed to have the mums back once they have been neutered.

"However, we have taken in a number of adult cats where sadly owners have died or circumstances have changed and a large number are strays or abandoned cats whose owners cannot be found.

"Some of the kittens are now ready or almost ready to be homed but, although things are picking up a bit, we still have several shy quiet young adult cats looking for homes that are being overlooked for kittens.

There are several pairs of middle-aged cats and a couple of older cats who would make great companions. "Hopefully we will get a response as we haven't had any calls for adult cats for about three weeks now."

More cats in the charity’s care can be seen at worcestercats.org.uk.

The branch provides help with neutering costs for those on benefit or very low incomes.

Call the above number or the shop in St John's, Worcester, on 01905 426748 for more details.