A REHOMING centre in Southampton has hit their record number of foster homes ahead of the Christmas period.

Last week, Blue Cross Southampton announced 29 cats had successfully been placed in foster - which is more than they have ever had before.

Now, the centre is thanking volunteers who signed up to be foster homes for its needy homeless pets.

The centre on Bubb Lane, West End, also hit another foster record as it secured 15 small animals in foster homes.

However, they said more foster homes are desperately needed, particularly for indoor rabbits.

Currently, there are three rats, two hamsters, four guinea pigs, two chinchillas and four rabbits in foster, who are all looking for permanent homes.

Dani Smith, animal welfare assistant at Blue Cross Southampton, said: “We’re over the moon about the number of pets we have been able to get into loving foster homes, it really does make an incredible difference. We don’t have the facilities on-site for small animals so it means we can now help find new homes for even more pets. With Christmas coming up, we’d really love to have all the pets in foster go to their permanent new families.”

Daisy and Lilly are a pair of four-year-old rabbits who have been looking for a new home for more than six months.

But without their dedicated foster carer, the centre would not have been able to help them.

They are now looking for a home with older children and upwards.

Dani added: “Earlier this year, we were able to help Vinni through our network of foster homes, throughout his time at the Blue Cross, Vinni had three different foster homes who were all able to help him until he found a home of his own. Vinni massively struggled with being left on his own and this meant that staying in a kennel was incredibly difficult for him and very distressing.

"Our dedicated team of foster carers enabled us to avoid having Vinni in a kennel and kept his stress levels to a minimum until a new owner was found for him. Thanks so much to all of our volunteers who help give these special moments to pets who might not be able to cope otherwise.”

To donate to Blue Cross, visit bluecross.org.uk/Christmas-news or text Moments to 70557.