AN animal charity is appealing for help in raising vital funds to care for abandoned pets.

The RSPCA in Darlington has only three volunteers who provide homes for unwanted animals.

A small band of fundraisers helps to collect money to pay for veterinary bills and other expenses, but the foster owners often have to dip into their own pockets.

Vanessa Robinson, from the RSPCA in Darlington, said: "We are often looking at monthly vet bills of £3,000 and then there are food, litter and other costs to cover.

"This money comes out of the pockets of the volunteers if we have not raised enough from donations.

"We rely on members of the public to give us money, but many of our volunteers work full-time and there just are not enough hours in the day to fundraise as well."

Mainly, the foster owners look after cats, but are available to offer help to any animal.

They aim to rehome all the animals that come into their care, but those that do not find new owners often stay with their foster carer long-term.

As well as more fosterers to care for abandoned and mistreated animals, the RSPCA in Darlington is desperate for aid from anyone who can help with fundraising.

Mrs Robinson, who has been with the RSPCA for nine years, said: "It's about generating fundraising ideas as well as collecting money.

"It's difficult to keep coming up with new and interesting ways to make money, but without donations we can't help these animals."

The Darlington volunteers are part of the South Durham and North Yorkshire branch of the RSPCA and any money raised in the area stays in the region.

Mrs Robinson said: "Although we are a branch of the national charity we have to do all our own fundraising. There is no central pot for us to dip into, so any money that comes to us helps our animals."

National RSPCA week starts today, and Mrs Robinson is hoping the event will raise awareness of the charity and its needs in Darlington.

As well as fundraising events, the charity is offering a cut-price micro-chipping service for both dogs and cats, so any lost animals can be reunited quickly with their owners.

Anyone who would like to help the charity or get an animal chipped should call (01325) 377878.