A cat charity is appealing for help from rural homeowners to help with 'out of work mousers'.

Cats Protection needs help to provide shelter for a new workforce of cats.

The volunteer-run mid-Dorset branch of Cats Protection have had a number of requests for assistance with feral and outdoor cats in recent weeks which has led to them needing to find new homes for all the cats involved.

The feral cats are humanely trapped, neutered and health-checked with most then returned to the outdoor colonies from which they came. However, in some situations cats need to be relocated to new homes to take up the role of chief mouser.

Area branch development manager Nicola Parry says: "We really need to find suitable homes as soon as possible.

"We would love to hear from anybody who would like to give a home to a cat or cats who are happy to do their own thing.

"These are cats who are used to the outdoors, with varying levels of socialisation and they have all been well cared for and are neutered. Although not pets in the traditional sense, they still have their merits, especially pest control."

Garden centres, golf clubs, farms, stables, hotels with woodland or anywhere where there is room to roam and rodents to catch, will provide the cats with a suitable environment to live and work.

Owners must be prepared to provide the felines with food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Providing food will not affect their desire to catch prey as hunting is not a hunger-driven activity for cats but one which releases endorphins and makes them feel good.

If you would like to provide a home for one or more of the mousers please visit www.cats.org.uk/blandford or alternatively please call 01258 858 644 or email enquiries@blandford.cats.org.uk