RSPCA: More than a dozen cats being dumped every day

The RSPCA has warned of "a crisis" in the UK cat population after being "completely overrun" with abandoned cats and kittens.

The animal welfare charity said moggies were "coming in every day" to its rescue centres and some are in need of urgent medical treatment.

Last year, 4,521 abandoned cats were collected by the charity across England and Wales - more than any other animal. That figure is the equivalent to more than a dozen cats being dumped every day.

Up until September this year the charity had collected 3,197 abandoned cats.

Ms Bryant said many rescued cats and kittens are also being dumped and left for dead by their owners.

She gave an example of when the charity was called in to rescue two unloved kittens dumped in a rubbish skip in Staffordshire, on Tuesday.

Both animals were suffering badly with cat flu, and were left barely able to open their eyes.

The male kitten has since died, however the surviving litter mate - who has been named Medusa - is now responding to treatment at a local vets.

Inspector Bryant said: "These innocent, defenceless babies were dumped and left to die."