A LOCAL branch of the RSPCA is at threat of being crippled financially by the number of unwanted cats it has.

Twenty-four cats are being cared for by the North Wiltshire branch of the RSPCA, but because they do not have any on-site facilities to house them, the animals are being put up in private catteries – which is costing £6 per cat per night.

The branch is desperate to find good homes for the animals.

The only financial support the group gets is from charitable donations and events. The branch covers the Swindon area and as far afield as Faringdon and Calne, and is run by a committee of volunteers who are elected from branch membership.

Committee member Alison Toop said: “Our RSPCA branch takes care of unwanted, abandoned and neglected cats and rabbits from all over the North Wiltshire area.

“We try to place as many animals as possible with volunteer foster carers. However, we are so inundated with cats at the moment that we are using up places at a private boarding cattery, costing us a lot of money.

“These numbers are very excessive for a branch of our size, especially as we do not have a dedicated animal home.

“We only receive money from volunteers and donations and at the moment the bank balance is going the wrong way.

“Most of the cats are lovely, but don’t get adopted because people think to go to more obvious animal homes or for silly reasons like their colour. Black cats tend to stay a long time.”

To rehome a cats, call the branch on 01793 640136 or visit www.rspcanorthwilts.org.uk.