As more and more people are searching for cats and kittens for sale in Northamptonshire according to Google, this newspaper has worked together with the Animals in Need Northamptonshire charity to find new homes for many of its rescue cats currently living at its shelter.
Annie Marriott, 50, has been working at Animals In Need Northamptonshire for 22 years, alongside Sally Smith, who has been there for 12 years and works closely with the cats at the rescue shelter.
The pair explained why the charity is "overflowing" with cats coming into the shelter during the pandemic and how members of the public can get in touch to adopt.
Annie and Sally said: "Our cattery is always very busy, and having been unable to rehome animals in a responsible way while restrictions have been in place, we are now full to overflowing - we simply couldn't turn animals in need of help away during the last 12 months.
"Cats come in to us for a variety of reasons: people bring in strays or take injured cats to the vets and if they are not claimed they ask us if we have space, the families move to accommodation where cats are not permitted, sometimes owners are too poorly to care properly for their pets, and job losses or being on furlough mean people have been struggling financially or have had to temporarily move in with other family members - there is an endless list.
"We are here to help find purr-fect new homes for all the cats, regardless of age, appearance, personality, special requirements - they all deserve a second chance.
"We do not currently have any kittens, but if previous years are anything to go by, we will be inundated with them between May and September.
"However, the adult cats we have in our care all have very different personalities and will make amazing companions for their new families.
"All the cats and kittens we rehome are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped, and leave us with four weeks free insurance.
"After a very challenging year we are hopeful we will soon be fully up and running again, our website will provide further information about the rehoming process and people are welcome to send in enquiries by email in the meantime."
2. Marmite
Sally said: "Marmite is a very handsome, active two-year-old lad. He loves to play, and is affectionate on his terms, sometimes he can be a little too boisterous. "He is not suitable to live with young children, and needs to live in an area which is not heavily cat-populated as he does tend to get himself into scraps. "A home with a nice safe garden away from any busy roads is essential."
3. Robbie and Skye
Sally said: "Skye is a pretty long-haired female aged eight months and her best friend Robbie is a super-friendly 20-month-old black male. "They arrived separately but soon developed a strong bond and so are looking for a forever home together. "They would be fine to live with sensible children over the age of five, and possibly a gentle cat-savvy dog. "A home with a nice safe garden to explore away from any busy roads is essential for this playful pair."
4. Tigger
Sally said: "Tigger is a stunning large four-year-old lad. He is very much a cat who likes to do his own thing, and fuss is acceptable only on his terms. "He is not suitable to live with young children, this being the reason he was brought in to us, and he has had no experience of dogs. "He may be fine to live with a gentle female feline. A home with a nice safe garden away from any busy roads is essential."