THEY may be cute, but one Southampton vet’s surgery is urging pet owners to get their cats neutered to halt the influx of unwanted kittens on their doorstep.

Beech House Veterinary Centre, in Bitterne, said it has seen a rise in the numbers of young cats handed in and wants more owners to get their animals neutered.

It said a growing number of stray cats are coming through the door, currently at a rate of three to four a week, with rescue centres already at capacity.

The call comes after the Echo reported how the Second Chance Animal Rescue Centre, in Mansbridge, saw 19 unwanted cats dumped on their doorstep in just five days, including a cat and her six new-born kittens.

Head veterinary nurse Hannah Drinkwater said: “Whether it’s a money thing – we’re obviously not in a good economic state and that could be something to do with it.

“People just don’t want them, can’t afford them or they have too many animals of their own.”

Mrs Drinkwater said neutering, which is the sterilisation of the animal, can take place from four-and-a-half months and was not a major operation, but she has seen increasing numbers of people bringing in cats a year to 18 months old that have already had a litter.

Staff are currently caring for two four-week-old kittens handed in three weeks ago by an owner who did not want them.

Alongside pregnancy, unneutered cats are at greater risk of diseases such as feline aids and leukaemia.

In response, the surgery hopes to run an awareness day on November 3, offering a reduced price for procedures on that day, though booked in advance.

Mrs Drinkwater said: “You have to have that responsibility if you are having a pet and you are going to let it out you can’t let it do its own thing.

“We have to find homes for them ourselves or ring other rescue centres.

“It just adds to the problem and they’re not going to be kittens forever.”

According to the Cats Protection League, one unneutered female can be responsible for 20,000 descendants within five years.