Overcrowding at the Croydon Cats Protection League has meant the Purley based charity is in urgent need of homes for unwanted felines. The charity has nearly 200 cats and kittens in its care and the same number again on its waiting list.

Eleanor Walls, branch co-ordinator of Croydon Cats Protection, said: “It’s crazy here at the moment. It’s the middle of the kitten season so we’re completely full up, but people still want us to take in their unwanted pets as soon as possible. Then there are others who just callously dump their cats leaving us to deal with the problem.” Call the helpline on 020 8763 0072.