A CATTERY which rescues and rehomes more than 300 cats a year has been chosen as “top charity” by its town’s Asda shoppers.

Darlington's RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub received £500 from Asda’s Foundation after coming top against two other community groups in a poll of shoppers at the supermarket’s Whinbush Way store as part of its Green Token charity scheme.

Based just outside Darlington at Aeolian House, the Cat Rehoming Hub works with local RSPCA branches to rehome cats and kittens rescued by RSPCA officers across the Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Northallerton and North Yorkshire areas. The cats it rehomes have often faced cruelty or neglect, or been abandoned.

“We are very grateful to the Asda Foundation and to Asda shoppers for this donation. It will help pay towards the costs of vet care, food, litter and toys for cats rescued from the streets of Darlington and surrounding areas while we look for their forever home through adoption. The money we receive in donations from companies and individuals is vital to the continued operation of the Cat Hub,” said RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Co-ordinator Sophie Moran-Barker.

The first of its type in the country, the Cat Hub was established by local RSPCA branches to deal with the growing problem of abandoned and neglected cats in the region.

“The Cat Hub is an innovative response by local RSPCA branches to provide a centre from where we can find a forever home for cats picked up by our officers,” added Mrs Moran-Barker.

“We were established with the aim of rehoming 120 cats each year, but at present we are finding new owners for more than 300, and we are always busy. Up to 30 cats and kittens are available for rehoming at the Cat Hub at any one time. As soon as one cat leaves, another comes in, so we are always in need of new funds.”

Further information about the work of the Cat Hub and cats available for rehoming can be found at facebook.com/rspcacatrehoming and cathub.co.uk