Kent's RSPCA's centres are so full to bursting with stray or abandoned cats they've run out of space.

Branches across the county are facing one of the worst crises in living memory - with more than 350 cats in their care.

Now some centres are having to keep abandoned, sick or injured animals in private boarding facilities or foster homes to keep up with demand.

In the last week alone at the Ashford Garden Cattery in Ashford five cats were brought in by a lady who couldn't keep them; two sets of people brought in boxes of kittens which they had found abandoned, and another woman brought a stray mum and eight kittens to the door.

Meanwhile, just yesterday, the Maidstone branch took in two young cats abandoned in a box near some rubbish bins.

And a car was recently seen slowing down to abandon three cats close to the RSPCA Woodchurch Animal Centre. Only two were caught, which were both heavily pregnant, flea-infested and covered in excrement.

RSPCA branch support specialist Becky Blackmore said: "Broadly the problem is that irresponsible and accidental breeding of cats is leading to our rehoming centres being full of kittens, growing into young cats, without sufficient homes being available."

She said local branches never put a cat to sleep if it can be rehomed.

Becky added: "However, resources are now so stretched that we need the public to support us to ensure we can continue to provide this service for unwanted, abandoned sick and injured cats in Kent."

She called on owners to ensure their cats are neutered at around four months old, saying it was a myth that it was best to allow a cat to have one litter.

Owners are being urged to contact their local RSPCA branch, Cats Protection or similar charities if they need help with neutering - or if they would like to adopt an abandoned cat.

Video: Cats are being abandoned across Kent