THE season of goodwill has not been extended to pets, claims an animal rescue centre, which says it has seen a dramatic increase in abandoned cats and kittens.

Nia Quinlan, of Danemere Petotel, near Worcester, which also takes in abandoned and unwanted pets, said there had been a 30 per cent increase in the amount of feline pets left out in the cold in the run-up to Christmas.

Her comments come as the national animal charity the RSPCA claims it is "struggling" to cope with the stream of unwanted animals handed to it across the country in December.

The charity says many of the pets were dumped because they were either too much trouble or inconvenient to keep, something Miss Quinlan has echoed.

"The run-up to Christmas is usually one of our busiest times of the year," she said.

"Usually the animals are dumped because they're thrown out to make way for the new Christmas pet or the family is going away for Christmas.

"Sometimes it's because the owners don't feel they can cope with the build-up of the festive season and the pet so get rid of the pet.

"It's the animals which are made to suffer."

She said this year the petotel had taken in 29 dogs, against last year's 44, but added the amount of cats and kittens had increased by almost a third on last year.

"I don't know why this year we had so many more cats," she said.

"This is the first year we've had kittens remaining to be re-homed after Christmas."

But the busiest time of year for taking in unwanted pets is yet to come.

"It will be quieter now until March when the puppies and kittens stop becoming cute," said Miss Quinlan.

"As they get bigger and have to be house-trained they're just discarded because owners can't be bothered with the effort. People don't throw their babies out for soiling their nappies or when they start growing up, and animals who are taken in as pets shouldn't be either.

"Those who decide to have a pet should consider the size it will likely to grow to and the effort involved in looking after it. They should also be prepared put up with any problems while they are training it."