THE south of England has the largest numbers of cats in need of rehoming than anywhere else in the country.

According to the RSPCA, there are currently 418 cats without a place to call home.

Summer is the busiest time when unwanted and abandoned litters come flooding into the animal welfare charity, leaving its centres bursting with cats and kittens.

It is currently oeprating close to capacity, with more than 900 adult cats and 800 kittens in centres and foster homes across England and Wales.

New figures show that throughout 2016 the charity collected more than 30,000 cats from across England and Wales, more than a third of those during the summer months (June to September).

Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Summertime typically marks the start of kitten season for us and already centres are struggling to cope with the influx of cats and kittens coming through our doors, each one in need of help and a new home.

“Cats just like Larry, the chilled out six-year-old cat with a big heart who is looking for his fur-ever home. He was brought into Southall Cattery in March as he had become quite stressed living with younger children. He needs a laid-back lifestyle and enjoys taking it easy.”

The message from the RSPCA is that neutering cats and rehoming a rescue moggy could help ease the cat overpopulation crisis.