AN ANIMAL rescue worker says she is almost too scared to answer her phone in case it is another person wanting to re-home their pet because of the credit crunch.

Veronica Bruce, of Wotton Animal Rescue, said that in her 35 years re-homing cats and dogs she has never seen so many animals being dumped.

The hardest part she says is trying to re-home the older animals because the only pets people seem to want at the moment are kittens.

"I have never said no to anyone wanting to leave their pet with me before, but I am coming to the stage where I might have to. We just can’t keep going on like this."

Veronica, 62, is passionate about cats and has worked rehoming animals for over 40 years but is finding it increasingly difficult to find homes for all the cats and dogs that get left at the centre near Charfield.

"Since Christmas I have really started to notice people bringing in older animals because they just can’t afford to look after them anymore. But not many people want to give a home to a 10-year-old dog or cat," said Veronica.

"I have been doing this a long time and it has never been as bad as this, I am almost frightened to answer the phone.

"I also have people leave cats at my gates or tie up their dogs at my entrance. It is getting very difficult."

The credit crunch has affected Veronica two-fold. Not only is she having to cope with an increase in animals, which means more pet food and extra vets bills, she also does all her own fundraising, but with people tightening their belts donations have dwindled.

She works seven days a week rescuing and re-homing cats and dogs and when she isn’t doing that she is holding car boot sales or charity events to help pay for all her work.

What upsets her the most is seeing perfectly good animals left in her kennels because no one wants them.

"We always have a problem re-homing Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers and Dobermans because nobody thinks they are nice dogs. But if they are trained well they can be wonderful pets."

Kittens and young animals stay at the rescue centre for just a few days because they are easy to re-home but the older the animal, the less likely it is anyone wants them.

If you would like to give a cat or dog a home call Veronica on 01453 842884.