FOSTER some Christmas spirit this winter by giving an unwanted cat a home over the festive season.

An RSPCA shelter in Holloway has this year seen the biggest cat crisis in 15 years – and there are currently about 30 dejected moggies looking for a loving foster home this Christmas.

They range from four-year-old Bruno who was left homeless after his owner was evicted to six-month-old Dora who ended up as a stray because her owner’s child had a cat allergy.

Christine Kerridge, treasurer at the RSPCA centre off Seven Sisters Road, Holloway, which takes in unwanted cats, rabbits and other small furry animals, said: “We have about 54 cats in the centre that need a home, another 80 in foster care and about 200 more on our waiting list.

“There is a massive cat crisis in this country. People are basically not neutering their cats and there is a massive over-population. It’s just out of control. This is the worst I have seen it in 15 years.

“I think it’s a rise in irresponsible pet ownership – people can’t say it’s because they don’t have the money, because if they can’t afford it, the RSPCA will do it for free.”

Over Christmas, the centre is desperate to find temporary foster homes for about 30 old or timid cats who would not do well in a cage. Many of them are in foster homes already, but their temporary owners are going away for Christmas. Others are the unlucky moggies who the centre expects to become homeless over the festive period.

Mrs Kerridge said: “The oldies are always very sweet and if you are having a quiet Christmas, what could be more exciting that having a little cat lodger? It can be a real joy to give them a home so they don’t have to spend Christmas in a cage.”

Fosterers do not need a garden and the RSPCA will get them started with a litter tray and food.

* To find out about free cat neutering, call 08458 734782. If you would like to volunteer to foster for Christmas, call 07710 294180 or e-mail animals@rspcacentrallondon.org.uk