AN ANIMAL charity has warned that numbers of unwanted kittens, puppies and pregnant pets have reached epidemic levels.

The Blue Cross centre in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, is calling for pet owners to help stop centres becoming overwhelmed by abandoned animals by supporting its neutering campaign.

The number of unwanted kittens at the Topcliffe centre this year has doubled on last year, and compared to four years ago the centre has seen the number of stray dogs increase by 87 per cent.

Tragically, many of these are like Bumble – an eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier who was found as a stray.

From her condition it was clear that she been used to breed several litters of puppies and kicked out when she was no longer of use.

The Blue Cross Big Neutering Campaign launches today and aims to make neutering the norm by stamping out irresponsible breeding and raising awareness among millions of animal lovers of the huge benefits of neutering their pets.

Emma Pannell, Blue Cross centre manager at Thirsk, said: ‘We’re seeing more and more pets being abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

“While charities like Blue Cross will always be there to give needy pets in North Yorkshire a healthy, happy future, we must stop them being disposed of like rubbish and make sure owners agree that neutering pets is the norm.”

To find out more about the Blue Cross Big Neutering Campaign or to make a donation, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/neuter.