A Norwich animal centre said today it was struggling to cope after seven cats were dumped in two days.

The RSPCA Paws Centre said four of the cats were dumped at local vets, while three were left at its Barrack Street base.

Eleven days earlier, a cat, which has since been named Damon, was dumped in a cat carrier at a home in Horsford.

The large increase in abandonments has put incredible pressure on the centre, as the cattery is currently full and all its fosterers are unable to take any more cats.

It means the centre has not had enough room to even take the cats which were dumped at the vets in Norwich.

On November 10, three cats were dumped at the Paws Centre. A woman came in and said that she wanted to leave her cats there, but when she was informed the cattery was currently full and that staff could not take them at that time, she just walked out, despite being asked to contact other rescue centres. The cats have been named Kimi, Senna and Jenson.

On the same day two cats were left in baskets at the local vets, and another two were left at the surgery the following day. The vets arranged homes for two of the cats, and the RSPCA helped to arrange space for the remaining two with Cats Protection.

In total the Norwich and Mid Norfolk Branch of the RSPCA is currently caring for 72 cats, 38 of which are on site at the Paws Centre.

Claire Feek, animal care team manager, said: 'The role of the Paws Centre is to prioritise and help animals which have suffered from neglect and cruelty, and we cannot take animals from people, simply because they cannot cope anymore – but we do try to do all we can to help.

'Pet owners need to take responsibility for their animals – they cannot simply just dump them because they have had enough of them, it is shocking and very reckless of them.

'We are appealing to anyone who is currently considering getting a cat to please, please, please contact the RSPCA first.'

To find out more about rehoming a cat please contact the branch on 01603 766001 or to see the animals which are currently in need of a new home visit www.rspcanorwich.org.uk

Do you have an animal story for the Evening News? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk