LIVING with up to 20 cats may sound like a nightmare to many, but moggy-mad Maureen Savage says it is simply purr-fect!

Maureen set up Pets In Rescue 18 months ago, rescuing Preston's stray cats and giving them a home.

Many of the cats have since moved on to new homes, but as each cat leaves her home - which has been adapted to accommodate her passion for pets - scores more arrive on her doorstep.

And with the kitten season just around the corner, Maureen is desperate for funds and food to keep the rescued cats in comfort until she can find a new home for them.

Maureen, who founded Pets In Rescue when the last charity she worked for stopped rescuing cats, said: "I have about 16 cats who have been sent to me at any one time, sometimes even more.

"Most of them are elderly, who people don't want to adopt. My house is a bit like a retirement home for old cats but we have a lot of young ones, all in need of good homes."

Maureen has heart-breaking stories to tell about the circumstances in which many of the cats were found.

"Once their personalities start to develop, we let them out and, hopefully, new homes can be found for them.

"It is very satisfying to help the cats, especially when they go to a new home after you've rescued them from horrible places.

"One cat we rescued had been poisoned by Dettol. What sort of person feeds a cat Dettol?"

With the arrival of spring comes the prospect of kittens arriving on her doorstep.

"Many people let their cats give birth and then realise that they can't cope with the kittens and abandon them."

The only funds Maureen receives come from charity collections and what income she has once she has paid her own bills.

"People could give me cat food. Everything is gratefully accepted."

If you can help Maureen, call her on 01772 497858. If your cat has gone missing, call her and she will make note of its name in case she finds it in the future.

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