For most people, a household pet becomes more than just an animal – they become family.

But not all placements have a happy ending. At the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre, there are currently 20 cats, 16 rabbits, 5 dogs and 1 ferret, without a loving place to call home.

According to the RSPCA, animal neglect and abandonment are at a three-year high. Here are some of the furry friends desperate for someone to take a chance on them and are looking for their forever home…

Name: Romeo & Julian

Breed: Domestic Shorthair crossbreed

Age: 1 year (approx)

Romeo and Julian haven’t had the best start to life, they were found abandoned in a box.

Sadly, due to a previous injury Romeo is missing part of his back leg, however he has adapted well.

Despite this scary experience, they two are wonderful, bonded cats who love their food.

They are very inquisitive and spend most of the day playing with each other or their toys.

Romeo and Julian could live with children of primary school age and would prefer not to live with a dog.

Name: Brownie & Sonny

Breed: Crossbreed

Age: 1 year (approx) and 3 years (approx)

Sonny is cross lionhead girl who is looking for a home with her newly bonded friend Brownie.

Brownie's mum and sisters have all now found homes leaving him and his brother Cloud waiting patiently for theirs.

Sonny was sadly abandoned with another rabbit but has done amazing at the centre and still enjoys human interaction despite her rough start.

Brownie is a sweet, inquisitive bunny but can still be a little unsure when he is picked up but does like a fuss, he can be a little shyer but is learning from Sonny’s braveness.

The pair would be suitable to live with primary school aged children with supervision.

Name: Lucky

Breed: Greyhound

Age: 3 years (approx)

Lucky is a three-year-old greyhound who came to the RSPCA after her previous owner had a baby, which left Lucky unsettled with her new routine.

Lucky has proven herself to be a very affectionate and loving soul, actively seeking a fuss.

She enjoys going out and walks wonderfully on a lead, but due to being a greyhound with a naturally instinctive prey drive, she has learnt to wear a muzzle.

Lucky is searching for a quiet, adult only home where she can excel.

Name: Ned

Breed: Ferret

Age: 1 year (approx)

Cheeky Ned is a bold and playful little man who is looking for an experienced ferret handler to give him his forever home.

Ned loves to play and explore and needs a large enclosure such as a shed or a spare room where he can climb, hide and play.

Although sociable creatures, Ned has shown to be a bully with other ferrets so will need to be the only ferret in the household, with plenty of interaction so he doesn’t feel bored.

Ned can bite when playing so he will need an experienced owner who can gently work with him over time.

Name: Molly

Breed: Domestic Longhair crossbreed

Age: 15 years (approx)

Molly came to the animal centre when her owner sadly passed away.

Although she was very shy at first, she soon came out of her shell.

Molly is a beautiful all-black cat who loves to seek out attention.

Her perfect home would be somewhere she can get strokes and attention while also being able to explore and do her own thing.

Molly would prefer to be the only cat at home but she can live with children.

Name: Aster and Aspen

Breed: Domestic

Age: 1 year (approx)

Aster and Aspen are sweet, friendly rabbits who were born to a mum in foster care and are looking for a forever family.

Both rabbits are friendly and inquisitive and should be fine to live with children of any age, provided there is supervision.

They have both started to learn to use a cat flap as they need to be able to go outside and explore.

Aster and Aspen love treat time and being hand-fed.

Name: Rose

Breed: Lurcher crossbreed

Age: 6 years (approx)

Rose is a six-year-old lurcher who came to the RSPCA through no fault of her own and is ready for a fresh start.

She is quiet but full of love and enjoys toys and games.

Due to her high prey drive, typical of her breed, Rose is trained to wear a muzzle out and about on her walks.

Rose can regularly be found snuggled in a duvet so she wouldn’t be out of place on a sofa once she’s settled in a new home.

The lurcher is looking for a home that can provide a large secure garden to allow her to enjoy off the lead play regularly.

She is best suited to a family with secondary school children and prefers to be the only animal at home.

Name: Cid and Steve

Breed: Domestic Shorthair crossbreed

Age: 2 years (approx)

Cid and Steve came into the centre following a welfare concern – they were living in a home with over 20 cats and were removed because their needs weren’t being met.

On arrival, the pair showed signs of fear and hid for several weeks, but with a calm, no-pressure approach a positive association has been built, although they are still very worried about their environment.

Steve and Cid are extremely bonded and Steve follows Cid around most of the time.

They are both inquisitive and will happily come around for food.

Due to their nature, the pair are looking for a calm adult home with limited footfall, but in the right environment the centre feels optimistic that they will come on leaps and bounds.

Name: Fern and Colin

Breed; Crossbreed and Domestic

Age: 3 years and 1 year (approx)

Fern and her friends were left behind when her owners moved away.

Since being at the RSPCA , Fern has fallen in love with another rabbit, Colin, and the pair are looking for a new home together.

Fern is a friendly, inquisitive rabbit who likes to explore new things.

Colin is a handsome, lovely bunny who arrived into care underweight, with two un-neutered males who were not getting on well.

He is still slightly uncertain with close handling but with daily positive interaction he may gain confidence.

The pair will need continued handling and grooming, and could live with children of primary school age.

Name: Poppy and Lacy

Breed: Chihuahua crossbreed

Age: 11 years (approx)

Golden oldies Poppy and Lacy find themselves looking for their retirement home.

The pair came to the RSPCA through no fault of their own when their owner became unwell.

Although older, Poppy and Lacy are full of life and love short periods of off lead play and short walks.

It was reported that the two were not house trained however they have taken to puppy pads, the RSPCA feel it can be worked on at home.

Due to their age they would live better with secondary school children.

Are you interested in rehoming one of these adorable animals?

All of these animals are being cared for at the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre.

The centre is open from Thursday to Tuesday by appointment only, between the times of 11.00am until 15.00pm.

Leybourne Animal Centre is closed every Wednesday.

Visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/leybourne-animal-centre or call 0300 123 0751.