HUNDREDS of cats were rescued in Dorset last year after calls to the RSPCA's cruelty line.

Now the charity has urged people to offer a home to a cat as part of its month-long rehoming drive, Adoptober.

Across the UK more than 22,000 cats were rescued, including 10-year-old Leo and nine-year-old Mole, who are now being cared for at Tayor’s Rehoming Centre at Kingston Maurward near Dorchester.

Cats are rescued nationwide more than any other animal. The number of dogs recued last year was 5,930.

Cat welfare expert Alice Potter said: “Sadly we do know that cats are an extremely misunderstood pet and can often find themselves the victims of poor care.

“Our inspectorate is getting calls every day from worried members of the public reporting the cruelty of these animals - and the number of cats we are rescuing is equivalent to 60 per day which is far too high.

“Cats can become victims of air gun attacks as well as poisonings both accidental and deliberate, and, just like dogs they can also become victims of over breeding and over population.

“We know that the answer to a lot of the problems relating to cats in this country is raising the rates of neutering which in turn will lead to fewer unwanted animals coming into our centres and branches.

“We are calling for cat owners to neuter their cats at around 4 months old, rather than 6 months, which can greatly reduce the risk of them getting pregnant and owners being stuck with an unwanted litter.

“If you are thinking of taking on an animal we would always urge people to look into adopting a rescue pet, as our centres are full of loving cats of all shapes and sizes looking for forever homes.”

To offer an RSPCA rescue cat a new home please go to rspca.org.uk/findapet to find your purr-fect match.