RSPCA shelters at 'full capacity'

Hundreds of animals in the region need homes

An animal charity has appealed to people in the East Midlands to provide new homes for the growing number of cats in their care.

The RSPCA said their facilities were almost at full capacity as cats and dogs had been abandoned for a number of reasons, such as sickness and injury.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the situation was particularly dire this summer.

The society has asked that current owners get their pets micro-chipped and neutered to help avoid problems.

Denise Stokes of Radcliffe Animal Shelter in Nottinghamshire said almost all of the charity's centres, private boarding facilities and foster carers are at full capacity.

Staff at Radcliffe are trying to re-home around 90 cats and kittens.

In Derby, the figure is 75 cats with another 56 on the waiting list.

In Leicester, 62 cats are in care with another eight in foster care.