The RSPCA is urging cat owners to spay or neuter their pets after being inundated with unwanted kittens.

The Craven branch said that an unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce thousands of kittens within five years.

“The branch is desperately looking for cat lovers to offer a home to a cat or kitten owing to the current crisis of numbers,” said RSPCA trustee Jane Taylor. “We are being asked to take in more young cats and kittens than we can find homes for.

“This is a national crisis and affects us every year at this time due to people failing to get their cat spayed or neutered.”

Assistance is available for people experiencing financial hardship.

The branch has several cats to rehouse but, in particular, is looking for homes for Ash and Sweetie, who have been with the charity for some time.

Ash, a young adult tabby, was run over in March, but is now fully recovered from a broken pelvis. She is a very loving cat, who makes no attempt to go out preferring her home comforts.

And Sweetie, a light tortoiseshell, lived in a factory and was “adopted” by a member of staff. Unfortunately she became a target for the other cats and had to be removed.

For more information, call 07949 229955 or visit rspca-craven.org.uk.