A Hornchurch animal rescue group says it has seen a spike in the number of former pets needing new homes and is appealing for Recorder readers for help.

Katrina Urban, who helps run Hornchurch Animal Rescue and Rehoming, told the Recorder: “We’ve seen a big increase of abandoned dogs and stray cats in the run up to Christmas.

“I think it’s because people think they’ve got better things to spend their money on in the run-up to Christmas, or they can’t afford to look after pets when they have so much financial pressure.”

Two of the felines that urgently need new homes are Smudge and Pixie.

Smudge is around five-years-old was collected by the charity after he kept being found regularly “shopping” in a clothes shop in Market Place, Romford.

The charity then appealed for his owners to come forward, but they haven’t been found.

One-year-old Pixie also needs a new place to live.

Katrina said: “Pixie was badly neglected by her previous owners, during which time she had two litters of stillborn kittens.

“She is a real character and loves ‘talking’ to her foster family, but her absolute favourite thing is to lay on the couch next to her human friends, she loves just being in the company of humans.”

She added: “Pixie was previously in a foster home with a young child, who she absolutely adored.”

The group is based in Hornchurch but operates all over London and the south east.

It also offers microchipping and home boarding services.

Anyone who can help the animals can visit www.hornchurchpetservices.co.uk or call Katrina on 07908 138 509.