Pet owners in Britain are being warned to neuter their cats after last year saw a record number of homeless and unwanted kittens.

Animal charity the Blue Cross said 1,175 kittens were dumped, given up or born at the charity’s adoption centres last year because owners had failed to prevent unwanted kittens.

This has left charity rescue centres full.

Wendy Adams, head of clinical services said: “Every year, animal charities like the Blue Cross are inundated with kittens that people cannot care for, and last year was the highest number we have ever seen.

“We had centres full of mums and kittens with more waiting to come in as soon as space was available.

“Despite the growing number of unwanted litters being born, the message does not seem to getting through. It is absolutely vital that pet owners get their cats neutered as soon as possible to avoid the ever-increasing kitten crisis we see in our centres year on year.”

The numbers are already adding up this year, with 72 kittens currently waiting for homes at the charity and more than 120 handed in this year already because people cannot look after them.

With the summer fast approaching, when most kittens are born, the charity is warning of a nationwide crisis.