Last updated 11:38, Saturday, 20 September 2008

They are so adorable you’d think they would be in hot demand, with cat lovers eager to offer them a home.

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Eight-week-old kittens Tigs, above, and Dot, left, are looking for good homes

But this group of kittens are still waiting, having been rescued from various circumstances over the last few months by the North Lakes and Solway branch of Animal Concern Cumbria.

And it looks like they will have to be patient for that happy home: the branch is currently looking after more cats than ever before.

“It’s a worrying trend, it really has gone berserk this summer,” says Kevin Kerr, cat and small animal co-ordinator. “Our charity is now very busy and full of cats and kittens, who all need a home.

“I’ve never known us to have so many. At the moment we have 26 kittens, from birth to six months, who have been found in different circumstances. We also have lots of adult cats, around 15.

“We have rehomed six kittens in the last fortnight but that’s only a start.”

According to RSPCA figures, the number of pets being abandoned across the country has risen over the past few years.

The last figures released by the charity, in May, showed the number of pets abandoned by their owners in 2007 was 23 per cent higher than the previous year, and is continuing to rise.

Last year, the RSPCA was forced to rescue 7,346 animals abandoned by their owners. And in the first four months of 2008, a further 2,621 animals have been rescued. Almost half of all the animals abandoned were cats.

But why are the numbers increasing? In recent months the rise has been blamed by many on what seems to be affecting every corner of our lives: the credit crunch.

But RSPCA spokesperson for the North, Leanne Goacher, says: “The RSPCA’s position on the effect of the credit crunch is that our animal centres are always full, our inspectors are always busy, and abandonments continue to take place as they always have. There has been a year on year increase in 2007 from 2006 but, clearly, that can’t be attributed to the current financial climate.

“Despite reports to the contrary we have no concrete evidence to suggest that the credit crunch is the reason why animals are being given up.

“What we would say is that pet owners should be responsible and they need to prepare themselves for the unforeseen, whether it’s their animals becoming poorly, having an accident or a change in personal circumstances. They are now legally obliged to care for their pets’ needs.”

Kevin Kerr has another theory. “The credit crunch could be having an effect, if people aren’t aware of the costs of keeping pets. But I think it might be that people are breeding them to sell, in an attempt to make money,” he says. “Over the summer I saw a lot of ads in shops from people wanting to sell kittens, and they were asking for high prices, from £20 and even up to £60.

“Then, when they can’t sell them, they dump them by the roadside.”

Patrick Sheehan, co-ordinator for the Carlisle and District branch of charity Cats Protection, says: “As a cat lover I can’t understand why someone would give them up. But there are myriad reasons. They might come from broken homes, where a couple have separated, or social services might recommend we take them. It can be a change in circumstances, such as moving somewhere that doesn’t allow pets.

“We have plenty of cats waiting for a home and we would recommend people come to us or one of the other charities if they want a cat, rather than going to a pet shop. Kevin for example does an excellent job, and we all support each other. After all, all cats are looking for a loving home. All we ask for is a donation; we don’t sell them at a price.”

Kevin adds: “It has to be stressed again that getting a pet is a big commitment. People often don’t realise this and also don’t know what their circumstances are going to be in the near future. If you get a kitten, you must be aware that it could be with you for 15 years or longer.”

All the charities point out that help is at hand if pet owners are struggling with costs. People who receive housing benefit or council tax benefit could be eligible for free veterinary treatment from PDSA. Cats Protection, which recommends all cats not required for breeding should be neutered, can help people get their moggie neutered, if they are on means-tested benefit, or a full-time student. For more information visit www.cats.org.uk

•  Animal Concern Cumbria is a charity that helps find new homes for abandoned or unwanted animals. The charity is run entirely by volunteers and has re-homing centres across the county.

The West Cumbria branch maintains a kennelling facility near Workington, while smaller animals are kept in foster homes around the area. The North Lakes and Solway branch does not have a sanctuary or kennelling facility; instead all the pets are fostered by volunteers, either long-term or short-term. There are usually between 80 and 100 animals looking for a home at any one time.

For more information on the charity, visit www.animalconcern north.co.uk or phone 01697 476613.