So if you are thinking of adopting a cat, think carefully. They need a lot of love and attention, nice treats and plenty of space to play in.

Becky Kane, from Bourne, knows all about feline adoption, having been a cat fosterer for Cats Protection for nearly three years.

She said: "There are many characteristics to being a good cat owner but what's more important is that your characteristics are matched to the right cat.

"If you would like a cat that will curl up and sit on your lap all day then make sure you tell us, so that we don't give you the UK's best mouser who spends more time prowling the neighbourhood for vermin than anything else!"

Becky (26) belongs to the Stamford and District branch of Cats Protection, and took pains to point out that all branches work differently.

"If someone would like to adopt a cat they should contact their local branch of Cats Protection," she said.

The charity's volunteers care for hundreds of unwanted and abandoned cats every year and always have many cats in their care looking for loving, permanent homes.

"Adopting isn't a long process, at our branch you'd need to leave your name and number on the answering machine and our homing officer would then call to arrange a home visit," Becky added.

"On the home visit she will run through the available cats and assess the suitability of each cat to the home that you can offer. For instance, if you live in a flat, that doesn't mean that you can't have a cat, it just means that we would find a cat that would be suited to a flat.

"After the home visit, providing the homing officer is satisfied that you are fully aware of the commitment of taking on a cat and can provide all the necessary care, you are then given the telephone numbers of the fosterers that have cats suitable for you to look at.

"It is then up to you to contact the fosterers to arrange to see the cats.

"If you go to visit a cat and would like to take it home providing the cat has had everything it needs under our care (is neutered and vaccinated, flead, wormed and vet checked) then you can take it home!"

Anyone wanting to own their own puss must be able to give it the necessary veterinary treatment, including regular worm and flea treatment as well as vaccination and any emergency care needed. They also need grooming, a good balanced diet and plenty of love and affection.

If taking on a full-time kitty of your own is too much, there are a lot of other ways you can help Cats Protection. "We are always looking for fosterers and fund-raisers, which can be fun, too," said Becky, who is deputy advertising manager for Your Cat and Your Dog magazines, based in Stamford.

"I recently held a secret auction of cat and dog products with my friends and family and raised almost £600! If you would like to help in some way however small please contact your local branch."

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