A SOMERSET animal sanctuary has been inundated with KITTENS - all down to the Covid pandemic. 

This summer, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, near Chard, has seen an explosion in the number of kittens handed over.

And bosses put it down to the pandemic.

During the height of the crisis, vets only treated animals with emergency problems - and spaying was not seen as an emergency.

As a result, Ferne has seen a lot of unwanted kittens.

Tara Nirula, re-homing manager, said “With the closure by national charities of local branches and the population explosion caused by the lack of spaying we are facing a perfect storm.

"We are permanently full for cats and have an ever increasing waiting list.”

Kittens are also incredibly costly, as they and their mums need longer term care, so the charity is launching an appeal to help carers feed and care for the little souls, who they say are the forgotten victims of the pandemic.

"People can donate through all the usual channels, we are happy to take cash, cheques and even postal orders or digitally through our Justgiving page," said a spokesperson.

"All donations are gratefully received and if you can Gift Aid then so much the better."

For more details, and to donate, log on to www.fearneanimalsanctuary.org