OKEHAMPTON and District Cats Protection is appealing for pet owners to neuter and micro-chip their beloved pets after taking in three more cats last week.

A young cat and two kittens were found abandoned in a box at Brightley on Thursday, and the shelter took in the three cats and is looking for homes for them.

Pat Sawyer, branch co-ordinator, said: 'We, like many other animal welfare charities, are currently under pressure with the amount of cats coming in to our care.

'We would ask all cat owners to have their cats neutered as soon as possible, remember a female kitten can become pregnant before she is a year old. We can help with some of the cost — please contact us on 0845 371 2751.

'And please make sure your cat/kitten is micro-chipped.

'Increasingly we are finding that some cats have been micro-chipped but their owners have moved and not advised the central registers.

'This means a cat that comes into us with a micro-chip cannot be returned to its owners and that cat takes up space until it is re-homed, rather than having a happy life with its owners.'

If you are interested in adopting a cat or kitten visit http://www.okehampton.cats.org.uk">www.okehampton.cats.org.uk or call 0845 371 2751.