No holiday rush for pet adoptions in New England North West but plenty of cats and kittens available

In fact, over the past few months, there have been more ingoings than outgoings with cats breeding rapidly. There has also been instances of dog litters requiring rescue.

Animal Welfare League Tamworth president Jenny Campbell said she has had her hands full over the past few months, but that means there are plenty of furry friends looking for a new home.

"We are adopting kittens and cats, always more kittens than cats, but of course at this time of year we are getting more in than what's going out," she said.

"Particularly now because it's breeding season, so there's a lot more kittens and although our adoptions have definitely increased over the past few months, we've still got way too many kittens coming in."

It's a similar case at RSPCA Gunnedah, with kittens coming in at a rapid rate, although president Linda Taylor said adoptions had been going reasonably well in the town.

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Dogs have been less of an issue, with the Gunnedah branch only receiving one litter of puppies so far. RSPCA Inverell also took on a litter of puppies, after they were found roaming the streets, badly infected with fleas and hungry.

The Inverell branch has also been taking on multiple caretaking roles after people suddenly found themselves unable to look after their pets.

"We were tying up loops in rehoming dogs, or dogs that we'd been asked to care for while their owners were in hospital or in one case in the women's shelter."

Both branches have desexing programs in place, which are crucial at this time of year. Ms Taylor said they had success with a program which allowed people to drop off cat litters while also bringing the mother in to be desexed.

The Animal Welfare League's Ms Campbell said it had been encouraging to see there had been a wide range of people looking into adoptions.

"Our community goes right across the board, there's been young people, young couples, singles, right up to elderly people looking for companions," she said.

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