The cost of living crisis means owners are unable to feed their pets, a survey has found.

Cats Protection has issued a "desperate" appeal for volunteer fosterers across Kent and the south east as it braces for an unprecedented number of cats to be given up for adoption this winter.

Haley Croney, welfare team leader at the charity's Swale branch, said: “We are very busy and in desperate need of fosterers.

"We are currently advertising for new foster carers but haven’t had any interest shown.

"Our needs are quite desperate now. We are full and have 14 cats on our waiting list, but the winter combined with financial uncertainty for so many people could make the situation a lot worse.

“There are lots of reasons why people relinquish their cats but the cost of living is a huge issue for people and I'm sure it’s a reason for many.

That’s why this campaign is so important. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that it produces some very needed new fosterers.”

The charity revealed that two-thirds of 2,000 cat owners said they were worried they will be unable to feed their pets in coming months.

Nearly a third of them admitted they are struggling with the finances and one in eight said they have or would cut down on their cat’s food.

As well as that two-thirds were worried they would not be able to feed their cats this winter.

The findings come at a perilous time for Cats Protection, which has already seen the number of cats on its waiting lists grow by 20% compared to this time last year – with fewer people adopting.

The charity has launched its Feels like home campaign which appeals for cat lovers to either become fosterers for the charity or support the charity with a donation.

"Many are facing extreme choices such as rationing food or giving up their much-loved cat..."

All funds raised will help provide temporary homes for cats this winter.

Peter Shergold, Cats Protection’s head of field operations, said: “No one wants to have to give up a beloved pet, but the cost-of-living crisis is having a disastrous effect on cats and their owners.

“Many are facing extreme choices such as rationing food or giving up their much-loved cat entirely.

This winter could see an unprecedented number of cats and kittens being given up to charities or worse still, abandoned in the cold and left to fend for themselves.

“We do what we can to help people hold onto their pets, but we urgently need an army of cat fosterers to help us ensure no cat is without a place that feels like home this winter.

“No special equipment is needed to be a volunteer fosterer except a spare room in your house or outdoor space to house a cat pen.

"Cats Protection will provide the cat pen and all the other support needed including cat food, litter, toys and so on.

“We are particularly keen to hear from people in Essex, Kent and Suffolk where we have a pressing need for volunteer fosterers.”

To become a Cats Protection fosterer or donate to Cats Protection’s 'Feels Like Home' campaign, click here.

Cats Protection can also assist owners on limited incomes with the cost of neutering their pet cat, click here for further details.

The charity’s website advice page contains helpful money management tips, including how to obtain access to cat food banks and practical ways to reduce vet bills.