AN abandoned cat and her four tiny kittens were found "terrified, cold and hungry" after being dumped in a cardboard box beside a busy Lake District road.

The feline family is now safe in the care of Animal Rescue Cumbria, where staff have named the mother cat Joyce, and her litter Jack, James, John and Joy.

But unfortunately their rescue last Friday night from Ambleside has added to a burgeoning cat crisis at the charity's Wainwright Shelter, near Kendal.

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Senior animal carer Ruth Knowles says the Kapellan rescue centre is "bursting at the seams" with 38 cats and kittens being cared for, and eight more on the waiting list.

"If anybody else turns up we are going to have to turn them away," said Mrs Knowles. "It's really hard because we want to help. We are very passionate about what we do, so to turn anything away is really difficult, but people need to take responsibility for their animals."

The cats rescued in Ambleside by animal carers Nikki Stephenson and Lauren Wade are thought to be abandoned pets, and Mrs Knowles is urging owners to have their animals spayed to prevent unwanted litters.

"I don't think people realise how quickly cats can breed," she told the Gazette. "Cats can have eight-week-old kittens and be pregnant again."

Just this week, two cats have been brought in to Kapellan and given birth three days after arriving; as well as another mum with a trio of two-day-old kittens.

Each year the charity receives hundreds of abandoned, lost or stray cats and dogs, and every one is neutered or spayed, vaccinated, blood-tested, microchipped and wormed, at a cost of £110. The charity has eight staff and 40 volunteers, and relies on legacies and donations to keep going.

Mrs Knowles told the Gazette that "dumping an animal is never an acceptable option", and encouraged anyone who is struggling to care for their pet to contact the charity for advice.

Donations can be made by texting ARCS30 followed by the amount £5 or £10 to 70070, and inquiries about adoption can be made by calling 01539-824293.