Feline-lovers are being urged to support Cats Protection Honiton Branch side-step a cash crisis.

Like most others across the UK, the branch's rehoming service is on hold during the coronavirus.

While many would have been in loving new homes by now, volunteers continue to ensure every cat is fed, warm, happy and stimulated.

But the costs of caring for the cats - including around £1,000 a month in vets fees alone - does not stop.

While the majority of the branch's income is from legacies, it also relies on the thousands of pounds raised annually from fundraising events to boost the charity's kitty.

Bob Carter, Cats Protection Honiton Branch volunteer coordinator, explains: "We are currently caring for seven cats, including a cat and her four kittens which are now 10 days old.

"Annually, events raise around £4,000 for the branch and we would expect about half of that by now.

"But the current situation means fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed and virtually no donations have come in.

"Financially, the branch is alright for now, but we could start having a problem in a couple of months."

Bob is keen that the branch should remain self-sufficient, as it has done for the last 37 years.

So an online fundraising page has been launched with a £500 target with any donations exceeding that sum going to Cats Protection's head office to support other centres.

If the Honiton branch does face a cash crisis it will be forced to apply for support funding from head office.

"We hope it doesn't come to that and we receive donations through the JustGiving page to keep us going until fundraising can restart again - every penny really does count for the cats in our care," added Bob.