THE RSPCA faces a cat crisis.

There is always an influx of kittens at this time of year but lockdown means that it is harder for owners to neuter pets and charity experts fear they will see even more unwanted litters coming through its doors.

Since lockdown, the charity has received 85 reports about cats in County Durham, 101 in Tyne and Wear and 71 in North Yorkshire since lockdown.

These include a mum and her kittens who were rescued by Inspector Emma Stainthorpe from Stillington on May 16, after the mum was attacked by an un-neutered male and suffered a severe head wound.

The kittens are around five-weeks-old, have been named Roo, Boby, Boris, Frankie and Dufty and are being fostered whilst their mum receives veterinary treatment.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government and the charity has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to help the RSPCA’s frontline staff continue working in England and Wales.

Dr Samantha Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “We are currently caring for more cats than any other pet throughout the Coronavirus crisis. Every year, the scale of the cat overpopulation problem becomes even more apparent from May to September when most cats are born as the RSPCA is often overwhelmed with kittens. The kitten season this year will continue despite Covid-19 and so the charity is bracing itself for even more cats.”

The charity cares for more than 1,000 cats, more than any other animal, including 46 at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre in Chester-le-Street.

To donate visit rspca.org.uk/covid