THE RSPCA is braced for boom in the number of kittens born next year after routine neutering operations were put on hold in the lockdown.

“We are braced for a kitten season boom," said Alice Potter, the charity's cat welfare expert.

"This means that whilst the UK is already facing a cat overpopulation crisis, we may now see even more unplanned litters of kittens.”

And the fear is that along with a 188 per cent increase in online searches for kittens during the lockdown, it will mean more of the animals going into rescue centres or being dumped.

The RSPCA has dealt with 467 emergency calls so far this year.

“Sadly, we do see cases of cats coming into our care who have been bought without the correct vaccinations, care or attention and the results can not only be devastating for the cats themselves but also the new owners who have to provide the time and cost it takes to look after these very poorly kittens.

But she added: “It’s great to see so many people are looking to adopt a rescue cat with more than a million people visiting our cat Find a Pet page during the pandemic. "