CRUEL cat owners are dumping their unwanted pets and heading off on holiday, an animal sanctuary said today.

Good homes are now urgently needed for dozens of cats which have been abandoned by their irresponsible owners.

Staff at the York Cats Protection shelter say the charity is seen as the "easy answer" to the problem of what to do with a pet by those going on their summer holidays.

Volunteer Carla Bradshaw said: "There are a lot of people who just callously dump their cats at this time of the year, leaving us to deal with the problem.

"Not only is the kitten season well under way, but people still want us to take in their unwanted pets as soon as possible."

The charity's Huntington Road shelter is already full up, with 40 cats and kittens in its care, and another 33 on its waiting list.

James Hodgkison, the adoption centre manager, said: "We've had a lot of instances of people bringing back cats we've just homed with them.

"There are four cats in at the moment who were returned to us after just a short period of time in their new homes, and two cats returned after being with their owners for two years.

"Often it's because their new owners give up on them before giving them a chance to settle in.

"It takes a while for cats to get used to their new surroundings, and when they're brought back to us, it's a real setback for them."

"It is very important potential owners really understand what they're taking on when they adopt a cat. It does a cat no good to be shipped back and forth all the time."

The adoption centre has already found homes for 239 cats and kittens since the start of the year. The shelter costs about £80,000 per year to run.

All cats available from the centre are microchipped, neutered, treated for fleas and worms, and already started on a course of vaccinations.

Anyone interested in rehoming a cat can visit the adoption centre's website, www.yorkcats.org.uk, or phone James on 01904 760356.

Sarah Calkin asked people in York what arrangements they make for their pets when on holiday

Helen Robinson, 50, of Eldon Terrace, York, said: "I used to leave my cat in the house and get a neighbour or cleaner to come round and feed it. I put it in a cattery once, but she was so miserable."

Karen Cox, 46, lives in Manchester, but was in York visiting her mum. She said: "I've got guinea pigs and I wouldn't dream of leaving them on their own. Having a pet is like a child. It's a responsibility."

William Agnew, 50, of Tadcaster Road, York, said: "I think it's terrible. They shouldn't be allowed to keep pets. I've got two cats and a neighbour comes and feeds them. I arrange my cat care before my holiday."

Alex Robertshaw, 27, of Bootham, York, thinks it is disgraceful that people abandon their pets to go on holiday. He said: "I've got family in York so I normally get them to look after my cat."

Tricia Errington, 55, of Maythorpe, York, said: "People shouldn't have pets if they're not prepared to put them in kennels. If they can afford to go on holiday they should think about these things."

Updated: 10:06 Wednesday, August 24, 2005