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."
5. Lucy
Sally said: "Lovely Lucy is around one-years-old. She is super-friendly and enjoys playing with her toys. "She would prefer not to live with other cats or dogs but would be fine to live with sensible children over the age of five. "A home with a nice safe garden away from any busy roads is essential for this cheeky girl."
6. Ferral cats
Sally said: "We have eight feral cats in our care – they are only youngsters and are looking for homes in pairs. They will need access to a large outdoor area where they can safely roam, a nice indoor area such as a barn or stable for shelter, and be provided with fresh water and food daily. Unlike some of the ferals that come into our care, these are really not happy to interact with humans and so would not be suitable to live in a domestic situation.