AN animal rescue centre in Gloucestershire has issued an urgent appeal for help after an "explosion of kittens" have arrived at the shelter.

So far this year, staff at Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home near Dursley have helped 92 cats, which is a 34 per cent increase from last year. 

A spokesperson has described the current situation as ‘heart-breaking’ and has revealed that the shelter is ‘currently full to capacity’ and is dealing with an ‘unprecedented waiting list’. 

They have blamed the cause on the cost of living crisis as animals are arriving at a much larger rate than they can be rehomed.

Meanwhile, the centre says it is also experiencing the fallout from an increase in cats not being neutered. 

It has now launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help cover the cost of caring for the animals.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently full to capacity and with an unprecedented waiting list. 

“Sadly, this means we are having to make extremely hard decisions about which animal to rehome. 

“On average each animal that arrives at our centre costs around £372 in medical bills alone.

“An increase in unneutered cats has sadly seen a more significant number of unwanted litters, combined with kittens purchased during lockdown with families now no longer being able to care for them, leaving us with a real catastrophe!

“It is heartbreaking to see so many unwanted cats and kittens. 

Gazette Series: Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home has helped 92 cats and kittens this year - a 34 per cent increase from last year Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home has helped 92 cats and kittens this year - a 34 per cent increase from last year (Image: Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home)

Gazette Series: A spokesperson has described the current situation as ‘heartbreaking’ A spokesperson has described the current situation as ‘heartbreaking’ (Image: Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home)

“While CDCH continues to do everything we can to take in as many as we can from some of these situations to help find them the perfect home, it’s becoming a serious challenge.
 
“On top of the increase in cat and kitten intake, due to the cost of living crisis, rehoming has slowed down, leaving us in a position where we have more cats in need coming in faster than what we can find homes for.

“We urgently need your help to cover the costs involved in getting these kittens and cats neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and available for adoption.”

You can donate to the appeal here - tinyurl.com/3ec7jk34