A YORK cat charity says it refuses to allow rescued cats to be adopted in certain parts of the city because of their cruelty record.

The city's branch of the Cats Protection League told York woman Sarah Bell that her mother's home street was out of bounds for their animals.

Sarah was trying to buy a new pet for her mother, Sharon McConnell, but was told that because her mother lived in Thoresby Road, Acomb, she could not have a rescued cat.

Sarah said: "They said it was because of the area my mother lives in, but they don't even bother to come and look at her circumstances and see that she could provide a good home.

"I just wanted to get my mother a cat for company. She could give a cat lots of love and a lovely home and I think it's disgusting that she is discriminated against because of the street she lives in. She's been blacklisted for no fault of her own."

Barbara Sharp, housing and welfare officer for the Cats Protection League, confirmed that the charity would not let residents in certain streets in the city have a cat from their shelter.

She said certain streets, including Thoresby Road and some surrounding streets, and areas around Leeman Road, had higher rates of cat cruelty: "This can be from cruel people, heavy traffic, vicious dogs or high rates of cat Aids."

"We know our policy can upset some people but we have got the interests of the cats at the shelter to put first."

Mrs McConnell said: "I've had cats all my life and I can't believe I can't give another rescue cat a good home. I'm very upset about the whole matter.

emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, April 14, 2001