A SOUTH Cheshire woman is pleading with animal lovers not to deprive cats of a loving home in favour of kittens.

Sue Drinnan, who works with the Crewe and District Branch of Cats Protection, says the organisation is struggling to find homes for the older cats in its care.

She believes a decreasing number of people will go the extra mile to rehabilitate animals that have been victims of cruelty or neglect.

Mrs Drinnan, of Moorfields, Willa-ston, said: 'Sadly, I think many people, rightly or wrongly, want the perfect house, car and pet leaving the more challenging ones without a home.

'Kittens always seem more appealing. This is a shame because we have cats who are healthy lovely animals and deserve a loving home with someone willing to give them a chance.'

The Crewe and District Branch, which covers much of South, West and Mid Cheshire, has around 50 cats that need a home.

One of them is Felix, a black and white nine-year-old cat. Sue said: 'We are looking for a home with no young children or other pets for Felix. He is affectionate and very spoilt but will sometimes bite or strike out for no reason.

'He sees no wrong in this and we don't take it personally but it puts potential owners off. As a result, he's been in a pen for nearly 12 months and we feel like his jailers. It is heart-breaking.

'We also have a gentleman of a cat named Maurice who was found badly injured and with FIV which affects his immune system.

'Now fully recovered, vaccinated and neutered, he wants a new life.'

Cats Protection is looking for cat lovers to go the extra mile and provide a good home. It has a long list of cats that people don't want any more, waiting to be taken in by the organisation, but it is running out of space.

People who want to offer a home or volunteers wishing to help Cats Protection can phone 01270 588710 or 01270 662028.