Animal rescue volunteers were left stunned when they discovered almost 100 black cats abandoned in an empty property.

Volunteers at Safe Haven Rescue UK received a call last week to help around 20 moggies which had been left by a tenant.

However, when they arrived at the large house on the outskirts of Dartford they were met with a lot more felines than they had ever expected to see in one go.

Worker Elise Bradley said: “All we could see surrounding us everywhere was black cats.

“I was just in complete shock at the number of that had all been abandoned.

“Running a rescue you see strays and animals left all the time, but this is a first at this amount.

“After the initial shock, it quickly turned to panic as I wondered how we could help all of these cats.”

The group spent hours trying to catch as many of the animals as possible.

“A few hours later, and with lots of cat food used, we had successfully caught 53, including 25 kittens under six weeks old,” she added.

Since taking them back to the Safe Haven premises near Sevenoaks, the volunteers discovered five are pregnant, with one already giving birth to four healthy kittens.

Despite the large number already rescued, volunteers believe there are 40 more which need help but they are having to leave them at the house until they have space.

Elise said: “We estimate there are 30 to 40 cats left to catch, which we are sure will include more pregnant females.”

The not-for profit-organisation would like to thank those who have already come forward to foster some of the cats and those who have ordered items and dropped cat food and litter for the cats in need.

It is calling on other rescues with spaces to help with the remaining cats.

Anyone interesting in fostering is also asked to email info@safehavenanimalrescue.co.uk or if anyone is looking to adopt a pair of kittens or an adult cat they can email for an application form.

The organisation is also looking for donations as they are having to pay for treatment for the animals. To donate click the link here.

“We will need to pay for flea and worm treatment for more than 60 cats and vaccines and microchips and any other veterinary treatment they may need so we need as much financial support as possible,” Elise said.

The situation is even more difficult as all the moggies are black, which are traditionally the hardest to find homes for.

Elise said: “We already have black cats struggling to find homes.”

Safe Haven Animal Rescue UK first started in 2017 just rescuing horses, before moving on to chickens, pigs and a variety of animals.