A 'CAT CRISIS' has hit the UK, with almost 12,000 of the animals taken in by the RSPCA this summer.

Bosses at the charity are appealing to Worcestershire residents to give an unwanted cat a home, and to make sure their pet has been neutered.

Every summer, centres and branches end up bursting with cats and kittens as a result of unplanned litters born at this time of year and unwanted older animals.

 This can lead to cats and kittens being abandoned in their droves, ending up in rescue centres.

 Across England and Wales from May 1 to September 24, there were 11,313 cat abandonment complaints reported to the RSPCA.

 The RSPCA is urging responsible pet owners to get their cat neutered from four months old to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

 Alice Potter, RSPCA cat welfare expert, said: “They may look cute but having a litter of kittens to look after is hard work and costs money.

"Sometimes the reality of looking after them does not live up to the expectation and it is times like this when we see so many kittens abandoned.

 “From being tied up in plastic bags, dumped in boxes, left on a bus, or thrown out with the rubbish, the RSPCA has sadly seen too many kittens abandoned this summer. There is a cat overpopulation crisis facing the UK and our centres struggle with the demand especially during the summer months.

 “Some people think cats need to have a first litter to be healthy but this is an old wives tale."

 To help, visit rspca.org.uk/give