IT'S been raining cats and dogs outside and at one Hampshire animal shelter it is raining cats and kittens.

Although it is one of the country's largest animal shelters, the Stubbington Ark in Fareham is finding it a struggle to cope with the number of stray and unwanted cats coming through the cat-flap.

Staff at the shelter always see an increase of pets dumped by their owners during the summer months but this year is proving particularly bad for our feline friends.

At the moment the Ark is currently home to more than 120 cats and 40 kittens, a number that is stretching the shelter to its limit, with all 86 cat cabins full.

If the current situation continues, staff will have no option but to start turning away the abandoned and homeless felines and find them homes at other shelters across the country. Helen Freeston, deputy shelter manager, said: "We have already got more than 120 cats and 40 kittens at the shelter and the Ark has seen a big increase in the number of cats being abandoned this year but there are things you can do to help.

"Noah's Ark had to deal with the great flood but now unfortunately the Stubbington Ark has to deal with a flood of unwanted cats."

Vanessa Eden, fundraising manager at the Ark, believes part of the problem for the increase is the refusal of some owners to get their cats microchipped.

She is appealing for owners to take steps to help ease the problem and are looking for caring homes for these unwanted and unloved animals.

She said: "To date the shelter has 41 stray cats which could have been re-united with their owner for the sake of a chip which in turn could have freed up 41 cat cabins.

"Another major problem is the public ignores advice to get their cat neutered so some owners are not prepared if their cats have kittens.

"When they do, the new arrivals are abandoned.

"With the holiday period in full swing, some owners do not make sure their pets are properly looked after while they're away leading to a distressed and confused animal."