Cats and dogs from the RSPCA could be finding homes again on the Stanhope estate by the end of the month.

The RSPCA currently has a policy not to rehome stray cats or dogs on the Ashford estate due to the high number of cat and dog welfare cases it has dealt with there.

At an RSPCA open day held in Ashford last weekend, Stanhope resident Rosemarie Horton, 40, was told she was not allowed to rehome a cat at her Stanhope home, which has four bedrooms and a front and back garden.

At least one family from the estate has been told they cannot adopt a dog.

Tim Wass, chief officer of the RSPCA Inspectorate, said: “Re-homing of cats on the Stanhope estate was suspended two years ago because we were aware of a high rate of potentially fatal illness among cats, including parvovirus and cat flu.

“More recently, there has been a spate of airgun attacks on cats on the estate, so for these reasons our cattery rightly felt that it would be unsafe to re-home animals in the area.”

The animal charity has a similar policy with the rehoming of dogs due to parvovirus.

The rules could change within the next fortnight as the charity has planned a Community Animal Action Week at the end of May.

Mr Wass said: “Inspectors will knock on every door offering free pet care advice, microchipping and neutering.

“These events have proved extremely successful, so following the week we intend to lift the 'ban' on the estate and will deal with re-homing requests on a case by case basis - this will include re-visiting people who have been turned down recently.”

Mrs Horton and her children Thomas and Tianna were shocked the charity rejected their offer to give an unwanted cat a new home.

“People’s attitudes need to change,” she added.