A home for abandoned cats is pleading for people to rescue a moggy after a surge in admissions is pushing it to maximum capacity.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in Brands Hatch has seen almost a 20% increase in the number of cats and kittens arriving compared to the same period last year and around 40 felines are currently waiting for a new home.

A sudden surge in arrivals is believed to be caused by ‘Kitten Season’, the rise in litters during the summer months when the warm weather stirs cats’ instincts to seek out a mate.

Hundreds of unwanted kittens and their mums end up at rescue centres like Battersea either as strays or when owners have not had their pet neutered and they then need round-the-clock care before they can be rehomed.

After being banished to the woods, Enchanted was found abandoned in a tiny cat carrier with her three beautiful kittens before arriving at Battersea Brands Hatch where staff discovered she was heavily pregnant with yet another litter.

Ruth Dongray, rehoming and welfare manager of Battersea Brands Hatch, said: "Kitten season has well and truly hit our centre and we really want to encourage people to come and rehome our felines as well as getting the message out that getting your cat neutered is an essential part of responsible cat ownership.

"There is no doubt that the numbers of unwanted cats coming in through the doors of rescue centres such as Battersea could be greatly reduced if owners took the decision to neuter their pets to prevent unwanted pregnancies from occurring.

"It’s astonishing that one un-neutered female cat can produce 20,000 descendants in just five years and cats can have up to five litters a year with five or six kittens in each litter.

"At the moment we’re operating a waiting list for our cattery, taking in emergency cases as a priority such as Enchanted and her kittens. We have cats out with foster carers, cats in our overflow clinic and also cats sitting in every section of the cattery so we are literally full to bursting here!"

"We have cats out with foster carers, cats in our overflow clinic and also cats sitting in every section of the cattery so we are literally full to bursting here!" - Ruth Dongray

Animal lovers can find out more about responsible cat care and meet the residents of Battersea Brands Hatch cattery during the centre’s summer fun week this month.

The rescue centre is inviting people to celebrate another year of finding homes for Battersea animals in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside from August 24 to 28.

The family event will feature lots of activities including a kids fun day, dog training and agility demonstrations, a nature trail where guests will be given behind the scenes access to the centre and plenty of opportunities to meet some captivating countryside cats and canines.

For more information, visit www.battersea.org.uk