Appeal to rehome more than 40 feral cats

The charity says the land where the cats were living is being sold

A charity has appealed to landowners who can help rehome a colony of more than 40 feral cats.

Cats Protection said the land they were living on near Framlingham, Suffolk, was being sold and the problem was urgent.

A spokeswoman said a member of staff had been "working to neuter" the animals.

"It's a huge undertaking to try and rehome so many feral cats," she admitted.

"We are trying to urgently appeal to anyone that has a stable yard, small holding or other rural type property in the area, that would benefit from some 'rodent control officers', to see if we can rehome these ferals as soon as possible."

Staff at the charity's Framlingham and Saxmundham branch said barns where the cats lived were going to be renovated.

They said the cats would "disperse" if new locations were not found.

Cats Protection estimates that it helps 157,000 cats and kittens a year through a network which includes about 200 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.

Cats Protection's guide to rehoming feral cats:

• Feral cats often do best in pairs or small groups, the charity's spokeswoman said. They would need to be kept in a contained area for about a month to get used to their new surroundings

• Until ready to be released, they would need food and water

• Once released they would "go about their business seeing off rodents"

• The spokeswoman added: "Ferals aren't ones for fuss."