MORE cats in Islington than ever before are being dumped by their owners because of the recession, according to the RSPCA. The animal charity only opened a new adoption centre in Finsbury Park last month – but the tough financial climate means the shelter

MORE cats in Islington than ever before are being dumped by their owners because of the recession, according to the RSPCA.

The animal charity only opened a new adoption centre in Finsbury Park last month - but the tough financial climate means the shelter is already full of abandoned cats and kittens desperate for a second chance.

The problem is so bad that the RSPCA is waiving its normal �50 adoption fee until the end of September in a bid to increase re-homing the abandoned animals.

Branch manager Jenny Eden said: "We have never seen so many cats in desperate need. The recession means more people are being evicted or forced to move and their animals are made homeless too.

"We are getting dozens of calls every day with people asking for our help. We have beautiful, loving adult cats that are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped - and simply not enough people who want to adopt them.

"We have decided to waive our adoption fee, subject to a satisfactory home visit, in the hope of getting more people to give these cats a new life."

Central and North East London RSPCA was able to open the centre thanks to a �250,000 donation. It is the first time the branch has been able to afford its own base in north London to care for cats while they are waiting for permanent homes.

Ms Eden said: "We have never had the chance of a centre to speed up our re-homing operation but it has cost everything we have got. Now we are hoping that we will be able to help and re-home more animals than ever before."

l TO OFFER a cat a home, contact animals@rspcacentrallondon.org.uk or call 07710 294180.