NEW homes are desperately needed for 30 cats and kittens currently in the care of the RSPCA in Fenland.

The cats and kittens have come into the charity’s Peterborough and District branch, which covers Whittlesey and Wisbech.

Many of the cats have been in RSPCA care for several months.

Last year the branch rehomed 113 cats, but the numbers of unwanted animals are on the increase again following an influx of abandoned cats and kittens over the last few months.

It means the Peterborough branch is full to capacity and is unable to take in any more cats until they are able to find new homes for the cats currently in their care.

Branch manager Paul Markley said: “It is really disheartening to find that once again we have had an influx of unwanted cats and kittens. However this problem has become two-fold because the number of people coming forward to offer new homes to the cats in our care has reduced dramatically.

“Why we are seeing so many cats abandoned we just don’t know, but we do think that the financial climate is having an impact and it appears that many people seem to give up their pets when money becomes tight.

“I just hope that once again the people of Peterborough will come forward and offer these poor cats a loving new home. We would urge anyone who is considering getting a cat to take home a rescue cat.”

Among the many cats needing new homes at Peterborough is Destiny, who was found pregnant and abandoned and was brought in to the branch by an inspector.

Destiny’s kittens are now old enough to go to new homes. Destiny is a young cat aged only about a year old.

Another cat looking for a new home is Sunny. He arrived at the branch in April and is around seven-years-old.

Sunny was abandoned and was in a poor condition with a flea allergy and had scratches and bare patches on his skin, which are now healing.

He is a very affectionate cat, and just wants to be loved.

Two-year-old Riley is also looking for a new home. She was taken in by the RSPCA Peterborough branch because her owner could no longer care for her.

She is a very pretty young cat and is very affectionate. She was brought in to the RSPCA in May.

The Peterborough and District Branch of the RSPCA covers a wide area which includes Peterborough, Oundle, Stamford, Market Deeping, Whittlesey and Wisbech.

• If you are able to offer a home to the cats and kittens at the Peterborough and District branch, please contact 01733 222188 or visit http://www.rspca-peterborough.org.uk