Animal sanctuary turning away 60 cats a week

The boss of an animal sanctuary has said she has had to turn away up to 60 cats every week as more pets are abandoned due to high costs.

Animal rescue charities have said people have given up cats and dogs as they can no longer afford them.

Vickie Blackburn of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in Ormskirk, told BBC Breakfast: "It is overwhelming.

"The amount of cats is outrageous. We probably have turn away probably between 40 and 60 cats a week."

The sanctuary said the situation has got worse in recent years.

Blackburn said: "We have seen demand for our services really, really increase, certainly in the last five years.

"More and more people are giving pets up as they can't afford them."

She added they could not take all of them because "we don't have the space or resources".

Animal sanctuaries in other areas of the country have also noticed cat and dog owners struggling.

Hayley Crumble, manager at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, which gives its surplus to pet food banks, said: "When I have visited the local food banks they have said people are having to choose between themselves or feeding their pets.

"It really is a genuine concern for lots of people.

"If they are struggling to buy pet food, then we know they will also be struggling with vet bills when their pets are poorly."

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