When we had the big freeze five guinea pigs were found in a box by the side of a busy road.

Mum, dad and three babies. Mum and one baby unfortunately froze to death so that left dad and two babies. They were taken to a local vets who contacted us. When they arrive they were in quite poor condition and under weight. We have called them Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

They are doing well at the moment and the babies have grown some what.

We have reached absolute crisis point with the number of cats we have taken in and are expected to take in - every day there are numerous calls ….... “we have a cat with kittens under our shed..... or under a bush........in poor condition” it goes on and on.

The number of stray cats, often with kittens, is appalling

We are full to bursting, all our fosterers, the kind people who take in the emergency cases when there is no room at the centre and look after them until such a time there is, are also full to capacity.

Our brand new cattery opened up nearly two years ago now and I remember the cattery managers fatal words “thank goodness, more space, no more need for cats in metal cages” famous last words tempting fate - we have had to buy new crates to keep up, we have them everywhere, in the office, in the nursery, in the corridors, all housing unwanted, usually un neutered none identifiable cats! This is as well as all the individual cats units being fully occupied.

PLEASE IF YOU HAVE A CAT, WHETHER MALE OF FEMALE, KEEP IT IN DOORS UNTIL IT IS NEUTERED. GET IT ID CHIPPED AS WELL, CATS OFTEN WANDER JUST TOO FAR TO BE ABLE TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. A CHIPPED WOULD ENABLE THEM TO BE RE UNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS (AND IF MOVING ADDRESS PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR DETAILS)

The photo shows what should be our office area where records are kept and updated, crates of cats and kittens now re place our office furniture