Pets Life Line is a charity based in Keswick that operates a cattery that cares for cats that need to be re-homed.
Currently, the cattery is caring for 44 cats and kittens, with cost-of-living pressures forcing some owners to give up their beloved moggies.
However, Joyce Walker, who is the main care provider for the cats in the cattery believes that other cat owners are using financial issues as a convenient way to get rid of their pets.
Joyce meticulously looks after each cat in the charity's care and has seven in her own front room. Whilst speaking to the News & Star she was also tending to one of her felines who was giving birth.
She said: “I feel as though I am drowning in cats and kittens.
“Some are struggling to look after their pets but for others, it is just a good excuse to get rid of them to be quite honest.
“We have had a lot of phone calls wanting cats in and quite a lot of phone calls wanting to come for cats and kittens but then you have got to be so careful that you are putting them into the right homes.
“We are now nearly 50 cats and kittens – more this time this year than last year – so it is getting to the point where I think, where do I put them?”
Despite the current pressures that come with the increased number of cats that require new homes, Joyce remains dedicated to giving her felines the best possible care.
This spans from a childhood love of giving animals such as cats, dogs, and hedgehogs homes and a connection with her animals that has developed since the passing of her husband and cat-caring partner, David.
She said: “If it hadn't been for my animals I don't know where I would have been.
“I owe an awful lot to my animals, to every cat and kitten there is.
“I am responsible for them and I have got to be sure that they are going to be well looked after.”
