THE Wyre Forest branch of a charity that rescues unwanted animals has issued its own SOS.

The Bewdley-based arm of the Celia Hammond Animal Trust has provided a rescue service for animals for nearly 20 years but now organisers have warned they desperately need new volunteers to provide fostering facilities for animals while they try to find them new homes.

Unless more animal lovers come forward, the centre will be unable to keep up the rescue side of its operations and will be forced to offer a neutering service only.

Organiser, Graham Stephens, said the charity was running out of volunteers and it was difficult to find replacements.

He explained: "We need drivers who can run the animals to the vets and people with big gardens or sheds who could foster them on a short-term basis."

He went on: "People ring up and say they are moving that day and leaving animals behind. We can't just leave them on the street but we have nowhere to put them."

Organiser, Addy Watts, who set up the branch in the 1980s, said the lack of help was due to volunteers giving cats, dogs and rabbits permanent homes and then running out of space.

She explained: "People who foster animals can get very fond of them and can't bear to part with them," adding the charity covered all the costs of looking after the animals and would even pay for the pens to be erected.

All volunteers need to provide is space, care and love for the animals although previous experience with animals would be helpful.

The charity, set up by former model, Celia Hammond, reduces the numbers of unwanted animals by neutering rather than destroying them, offering people on low incomes a low-cost neutering service for their pets.

Anyone willing to foster animals in their home or gardens, or who would like to volunteer, should call Mr Stephens on 01299 266851.