Finding pet-friendly rental accommodation and the ongoing challenges of COVID are among the contributing factors in an increase in stray felines arriving at the shelter.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's group manager of environment and regulatory services, Debbie Archer, said the shelter has taken on as many cats as possible.

"Being a facility run by council, we mostly have stray animals at the shelter but we have seen a lot of people surrendering their animals as well," she said.

"When the capacity is available we will take surrendered animals."

Debbie said there is currently a list of people waiting to surrender their animal to the shelter.

"We do ask that if people need to find a new home for their animal that they contact local rescue groups like RSPCA or the Port Macquarie Animal Welfare Service before contacting council to surrender their animal.

"We don't want animals to be dumped, so finding them a new suitable home is what we encourage people to do."

The Port Macquarie Animal Shelter posted to their Facebook page on June 23 announcing that the cattery was at full capacity.

"We have a very long list of people needing to surrender their cats and unfortunately we can not take them until our cattery has space. Local rescue groups are also at capacity," the post stated.

There are two factors, Debbie said, that are contributing to the high number of animals being surrendered to the shelter.

"The housing crisis is impacting the number of people needing to rehome pets because it's difficult to find a rental that allows animals.

"Also, we do think COVID-19 is having an impact as well because people who got a pet when they were at home are now spending less time at home and can't look after their pet."

The Port Macquarie Animal Shelter takes every opportunity to rehome the animals that find their way to the facility.

"We accept as many animals as we can at the shelter and make every effort we can to find them a home. Unfortunately we can't hold animals for a lengthy period of time," Debbie said.

"Registering your animals and getting them desexed and microchipped can help us return them to their home as quickly as possible.

"We do get a lot of pregnant cats and litters of kittens surrendered to the shelter, so being a responsible owner and desexing your pet can help lower the number of animals that end up in the shelter."

There is also a need for animal foster carers in the area, if you are interested in becoming a foster carer Debbie suggests to contact a local animal rescue organisation to find out more information.

There are currently 10 cats being housed at the Port Macquarie Animal Shelter, if you're interested in adopting a pet and giving them a forever home, available adoptions are posted on the Port Macquarie Animal Shelter's Facebook Page.

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