AN ANIMAL lover claims her housing association has threatened to evict her unless she gives up her two cats.

Samantha Fowler said Fortis Living told her to get rid of the pets in a letter she received on Thursday.

But Miss Fowler, aged 33, of Randwick Drive, Worcester, has pledged to never abandon her two moggies, Sooty and Lucky.

Fortis Living, declined to say whether she had been threatened with eviction, but said it is committed to responsible pet ownership and asks tenants to apply for permission to keep pets.

Miss Fowler said: "Fortis said they will evict me if I keep them. I'm not going to abandon them.

"I don't think it's fair. I got Lucky two months ago and Sooty two weeks ago. They mean quite a lot to me.

"I don't know what will happen to the cats if I get rid of them. They are attached to me.

"Fortis says we have to request permission but I didn't think I needed it as others have dogs in the vicinity."

Miss Fowler thinks a disgruntled neighbour told Fortis Living about her pets.

The housing association received Miss Fowler's request to keep a cat on July 9, after she had acquired Lucky.

The tenant found out that this request had been rejected on Thursday.

She said: "I want to know why everyone else has permission for animals but I'm not allowed them.

"Why am I getting penalised when there's other people in the block with dogs and it's not an issue?"

Miss Fowler, who described herself as an animal lover, said she had previously looked after cats, rabbits and dogs.

A spokesman for Fortis Living said: "Fortis Living is committed to high standards of animal welfare and encourages responsible pet ownership for our customers.

"As part of this we ask that they apply for permission to keep a pet before they bring one home.”