THE boarding and re-homing of dogs, cats and other pets has been brought to a halt by the Malvern and Worcester branch of the RSPCA.

A severe shortage of funds has forced the branch to call time on its re-homing policy, which cost a massive £170,000 last year.

An open day will be held on Sunday (August 20) at Danemere Kennels, Tibberton, where more than 20 dogs, 130 cats and a selection of rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and ferrets are currently being boarded.

"We want to find homes for as many of these as possible, but we are not going to take any more in," said RSPCA volunteer Geraldine Haynes.

"We have been taking animals from across the county, including Malvern, Upton, Pershore, Redditch and Bromsgrove.

"Sometimes they have been abandoned or neglected, but often people can't keep them because of circumstances such as marriage breakdown, redundancy, or a move to an old people's home.

"It costs us about £4 a day to board them and on top of that we have to pay all the vet's bills for spaying, neutering and vaccinating them."

In the last two years costs have been met with the help of legacies and sponsorship, but this year very little money has come in, she said.

"Unfortunately, money left to the RSPCA goes to our national headquarters to pay for things like inspectors' salaries and prosecutions, unless the will specifically states it should go to the local branch," she said.

"We don't receive anything from headquarters and have to rely on voluntary fund raising and sponsorship, whereby people make a monthly donation towards boarding costs."

The branch is appealing for more donations and regular sponsors and will review the situation in a few months' time, but until then no more animals will be accepted.

Anyone interested in adopting an animal can visit Danemere Kennels on Sunday between 11am and 4pm.

Donations can be sent to the RSPCA Worcester branch at 12, Sansome Place, Worcester, WR1 1UA and inquiries about the sponsorship scheme can be made on 01886 822083 (evenings).