Once much-loved moggies are becoming victims of the recession as owners abandon their pets, according to a woman who runs an animal sanctuary.

Juliet Morton has taken in unwanted cats and other abandoned animals at Springhill Animal Centre, in Springwell Lane, Rickmansworth, for years, but has noted a marked increase in abandoned cats in the past four to five months.

She said: “I know with the recession it is not good for animals, but just lately we are getting a lot of cats that are just turning up in people’s gardens.

“They are not feral. They are friendly, very loving animals in good condition that have clearly been well looked after.”

Cats find themselves abandoned for a number of reasons when money becomes tight, including owners being unable to meet veterinary bills.

Mrs Morton said she has been inundated with calls from cat owners asking her to take in their unwanted pets from as far afield as London.

Sadly the problem is compounded because she and other animal sanctuaries are unable to move cats, particularly older animals, on meaning they cannot take more in, which in turn fuels the increase in stray cats.

Mrs Morton said: “One lady said she had phoned everybody but they cannot take any more. It is a real problem. They are really nice, friendly cats, so they were obviously well looked after and have been abandoned, rather than feral tom cats you usually find that have run away.”

“We recently had a very sick and elderly cat that was found in a garden. We took it to the vets and had no option but to put it to sleep.

“It had obviously been well loved because it was very affectionate, but someone probably could not pay the vet bills and therefore took it for a ride and pushed it out hoping someone else will take it in.

“Did that poor, elderly cat deserve that fate?”