Festive felines at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are counting down the days to a special family event when animal lovers can bring gifts for the merry moggies spending Christmas at the world famous rescue centre.

The free family event, Feline Festive, is being held to raise awareness that Battersea rehomes cats as well as dogs as part of its Cat Takeover Campaign.

There will be a Christmas tree to put treats and toys under for Battersea cats, performances from Wimbledon Rock Choir, arts and crafts, face painting and traditional refreshments including mince pies.

The Home, which houses around 130 cats at one time, will be decorated with Christmas trimmings and visitors will be able to write cards to the furry residents to help Battersea staff decorate their cat pens.

Lindsey Quinlan, Head of Cattery, said: "We are so excited about celebrating Christmas with our cats this year, that we wanted to invite all animal lovers to help make it a very special day for all our merry moggies.

"Any gift donated at our family event Feline Festive will be given to our cats on Christmas day to open.

"On December 25 we also give them a special Christmas meal and play Christmas carols throughout the cattery.

"We have over 100 cats spending Christmas at our London centre and we’d love them to enjoy the day before they find their perfect homes."

Visitors who are interested in rehoming a cat or kitten can also meet current residents who are looking for homes.

However, animals will not be rehomed as Christmas presents so all family members would need to meet any potential new four-legged friends beforehand, and may be asked to register for rehoming to return in the New Year to take home a new pet.

Entry to Feline Festive, on Thursday, December 19, from 4pm to 8pm, is free, although we do ask for a donation of £2 for adults and £1 for children to visit the Home.

For more infromation visit http://www.battersea.org.uk/christmas.