Kittens saved after global appeal

Decoy Kitten Rescue has seen a big rise in abandoned pets

Offers of support from around the world have saved kittens at a rescue centre from being put down.

Fears had been raised about the future of the kittens at the Decoy Kitten Rescue centre in Newton Abbot, Devon after a visit from the bailiffs.

The centre faced a vets bill of £800 which it could not pay.

But after the kittens' plight was revealed, offers of cash support have been coming in from as far afield as the Cayman Islands and Australia.

Claire Hardwicke, 37, who set up Decoy Kitten Rescue three-and-a-half years ago, told BBC News the recession had forced people to give up their pets and many animal rescue centres were being affected.

The number of kittens at the centre had risen to 83 in October, from 18 at the same time in 2008.

The centre was visited by bailiffs on Thursday after telling vets it could not pay an £800 bill.

Ms Hardwicke said: "The bailiff told us he would take the cages and the kittens could be put down.

"We would never put an animal down except as a last resort.

We are all struggling and we still need help Claire Hardwicke

"Since then we have had a flood of calls. One even came from New South Wales in Australia.

"Everyone has been very supportive and as a result the bailiffs will not get their way.

"Other local rescues are backing us up and we have safeguarded the future of our rescue centre and all of our kittens."

A Facebook page has been getting offers of support from Canada and the Cayman Islands.

The centre still has 42 kittens, 28 of which are in poor health, which it is seeking to rehome.

Regulations mean the kittens can only be rehomed near the centre, in the Torbay and Teignmouth area.

Mrs Hardwicke said: "All rescue centres are in the same boat.

"We are all struggling and we still need help.

"People need to act responsibly with their pets, to neuter animals and cut down the risk of abandonment."