ANIMAL sanctuaries across the Fylde are rallying round after the closure of a cat charity.

Carers have vowed that cats will not suffer after Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Cats Protection folded last week due to lack of volunteers and fund-raisers.

As reported in last week's Citizen, fears were raised that, as a last resort, healthy cats may have to be destroyed if homes cannot be found for them and sanctuaries are stretched beyond their limits.

But Mandy Leigh, of Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary, vowed that despite caring for more than 50 cats, she would not put any of them down if they couldn't be rehomed.

"That would never, ever happen," she said. "One of my volunteers would take an animal home rather than put it to sleep."

She added it was 'very rare' an animal was turned away and that 'there was always a way' an animal could be cared for.

But she admitted that more cats is the last thing the sanctuary needs. "The kitten season hasn't started for us just yet. Perhaps all the spaying and neutering is finally working.

"But I came in one morning and there was a nice new cat carrier with a cat in it, just left. People get so desperate. We should be getting more rescue centres round here rather than losing any help.

"In saying that, my doors are always open, it's as simple as that."

Christine Ashton of Blackpool's Cat Rescue - which currently has 41 cats and five kittens - added that she believes the area's sanctuaries can cope, despite the loss of Cats Protection, and that animals would not be destroyed.