A cat charity is appealing for donations as it starts to feel the pressure on rescuing animals in the run-up to Christmas.

Cats Action Trust North & West Wiltshire, who rescue and re-home abandoned cats and kittens, is asking people to donate cat food at collection points at Sainsbury’s in Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge.

The food is then distributed among the charity’s nine foster carers, who look after the rescued cats and kittens until they are well enough to be re-homed.

Chairman of the charity, Chris Wordley, said: “There are many reasons a cat needs to be re-homed. People go away and shut the cat in or out, or they dump them because catteries are full.

“It can also be as a result of a domestic break up. There is more pressure in the run up to Christmas because people are struggling financially and people often become aware of strays this time of year.”

Expenses for the charity are high and the vet bills, food, cat litter and the cost of building cat pens comes to over £2,500 a month.

The charity relies on donations and collection tins to boost its income, which is helped by a Cats Action Trust North & West Wiltshire charity shop in Melksham.

Mr Wordley, who has been volunteering for the charity for 28 years with his wife Lilian, said: “The collection points have been there for a number of years and people have been very supportive.

“We appreciate high quality wet food because many of the cats that are brought in are malnourished.”

Over the last two years the charity has rescued more than 340 cats, successfully re-homing more than 300. Others stay with foster carers on a longer-term basis, especially older animals or those with health issues.

For further information on Cats Action Trust North & West Wiltshire, including how to volunteer as a foster carer or to get involved with fundraising, email catsactiontrust@gmail.com