This time of year is typically quiet for the Cats Protection League's Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre.
At its peak, usually in the summer months, it has more than 200 cats in its care waiting or new homes.
Currently it has around 65 cats, but that's still a lot of animals who all share one thing in common – the hope of finding a loving and permanent home.
The Echo's Anita Merritt visited the centre to meet some of those cats and hear the stories behind why they have ended up at the CPL via Phil Punnett, the deputy adoption centre managerSEE THE FULL GALLERY OF PETS HERE
Murray
Found straying on a caravan park in poor condition, no one could get near to Murray and when they did, they realised he had a piece of wood protruding out of his eye.
He is thought to be around five-years-old, and would be okay living with older children.
Phil recalled: "He must have been in real agony, hence why no one could get near him. Eventually he was caught and taken into the CPL. A vet removed his eye, and Murray is now very friendly and full of fun. He just needs building up and is looking for a loving, safe home."
Fred and Missy
For the last 14 years, ginger cats Fred and Missy have lived in the same home together, but their owner is emigrating so they have been in the care of the CPL for the last three weeks.
Phil said: "They are fantastic cats who are lovely together. You couldn't separate them. At their age you just want them to be happy in a home."
Tivvy
Names don't get much more local than female feline Tivvy. Her owners moved but couldn't take her with them, and she has been with the CPL for two months.
Phil recalled: "We rehomed her when she was about 12. She is a lovely cat and just needs a nice home with no other cats and an owner who is home quite a lot of the time because she likes company."
Matty
Until recently, black cat Matty, thought to be about two-years-old, lived on a farm. Since coming to the CPL she has been enjoying lots of attention.
Phil recalled: "Last summer we were called to a farm with nine cats. We couldn't take them all in as we didn't have room at the time so we neutered them and have gradually brought them in.
"Matty was a little wary at first because he's not had any socialisation, but he will make a nice pet. He just needs a bit of confidence and a nice home."
Churchill
Fluffy black and white cat Churchill arrived at the CPL a couple of weeks ago with two other cats, all believed to be strays.
The others have been homed and now Churchill, thought to be about eight-years-old, is longing for the same.
Phil said: "Churchill is quite striking in terms of colours and markings, is friendly and ticks most of the boxes.
"He came in with ear mites but his coat wasn't in bad condition."
Clyde
A long way from home is black and white cat Clyde. He arrived with eight other cats from Ireland and is thought to be around two-years-old.
Phil explained: "There is no CPL in Ireland so a lady over there looks after strays and every now and again she brings some over by ferry and then train to Exeter.
"Most of the other cats have gone but Clyde is still here because he needed dental treatment. He is a lovely cat with a great personality, and would suit a nice family home."
Sprinkles
Back with the CPL because of her "cattitude" is six-year-old Sprinkles. She is a cat who knows her own mind, and would suit an experienced cat owner.
Phil said: "She came to the CPL a couple of years ago, but is back because she bit her owner. It was a one-off but the owner had to think of their grandchildren who visit.
"Sprinkles has always been a bit temperamental. She is friendly, but on her terms."
Tiger
Tailless Tiger is about six-years-old and no one knows how the tabby lost its tail.
Phil said: "She has come from a home but wasn't happy there because it was too noisy. She is a bit of an individual who likes attention, but on her terms. She just wants to do her own thing. We sometimes let her out and she loves charging around."
Ty
Settling into his first week back at the CPL is white and tabby cat Ty, thought to be about eight-years-old.
His catching claw landed him in trouble with his new owners, but this playful, loving cat is hoping for a second chance.
Phil said: "His claw got caught on a child when he was playing. It was just one of those unfortunate incidents. There's nothing horrible about Ty, but he'd probably suit a home with older children."
Tennyson and Timothy (2 separate pics)
They might not be brother and sister, but Tennyson and Timothy love each other like they are. They are about two-years-old and arrived at the CPL a couple of weeks ago.
Phil said: "They would like to be homed together. It's a lot easier to have a pair of cats who are used to each other rather than trying to put two cats together."
Mr Mole
If you had a medical condition but were still healthy, would you want to live? Mr Mole certainly does. The five-year-old has FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), which means he has to be an indoor cat and live in a home without any other cats.
His pen has been awarded the "Saddest Cat" rosette because he isn't settling well into his temporary home.
Phil said: "He's not very happy so he's been pulling his hair out a bit. He just needs a quiet home without children or cats. He came from a home with another cat and was quite getting quite stressed.
"Some charities will put cats to sleep with FIV, but he's not in pain or suffering, and can live a normal life.
"FIV is the feline equivalent of aids, and cats can get it if they haven't been neutered. Of those cats with it, 89 per cent live to a normal age and die of natural conditions.
"We have about 30 cats a year come in and test positive for FIV."
Eddie
Looking a bit sad and sorry for himself is Eddie, a white and black cat thought to be about three-years-old.
Phil said: "He came from Bridgewater as a stray. I think he has had a home before and just needs a quiet home."
Sapphire
Unable to move with her owner, three-year-old black cat Sapphire has found herself homeless.
Phil said: "She comes from a family and only had an enclosed run in a garden so has had no experience of roads, so would suit a home in a quiet location."
Biscuit
Looking for a nice, quiet life is seven-year-old black and white female biscuit. She has been with the CPL for a couple of months and is just waiting for the right owner.
Phil said: "She came from a really noisy household and wasn't happy so she's come in. She's such a sweet little cat."
Tish
As her owners were unable to take her when they moved, black nine-year-old cat Tish needs a new home, ideally with a dog to play with.
Phil said: "She needs a bit of room because she's from quite a semi-rural area. Her owners had a dog and she really liked being with one. What she needs is a nice family who can give her some fuss."
Mary
Toothless black cat Mary has a mysterious past. She arrived at the CPL last October with two other cats, and the trio all had no teeth. They were also anaemic and not in good condition.
Phil said: "We've been building them back up and have been able to home the other two, and now it's just Mary who's left.
"It's not easy to age her because she doesn't have teeth, but we think she's between six to eight-years-old. When she first arrived we thought she was 14 because of the condition she was in.
"Mary needs someone to take pity on her. She was a bit of a scary Mary when she first came as she was so frightened. She's still a bit wary, but is much friendlier now – and will do anything for food!"
Charlotte
When Charlotte's owners were evicted from their house, so was she. The stray eight-year-old had been living in a garage for two years because every time she tried to get into the house, she was chased out by the owner's dog.
Until recently she was called Mr Tom because her owner thought she was a boy.
Phil said: "In the past she has been someone's pet because she's neutered and is so friendly. All she needs is a nice, friendly home."
Delta
Handsome and boisterous two-year-old tabby Delta is looking for a home with older children.
Phil said: "He's been with us about a month after coming from a house with cats, dogs and children. He is quite boisterous, but it was too much for him."
Reece
If you're looking for a stay indoors pet who is happy to be the only cat then Reece is perfect. The three-year-old tabby has FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), but you would never know it to look at him.
Phil said: "We had a call just before Christmas from a family saying a cat was coming into their roof space from outside and looked heavily pregnant.
"We caught the cat and discovered it was actually an unneutered male!
"He was quite nervous when he came in because he's not had socialisation, but is coming on leaps and bounds. He has a sad face and always looks grumpy so he's quite a character."
Phara
Coming across the border from Dorset is tortoise shell cat Phara, who is around five-years-old.
Phil said: "She has come from a home but wasn't happy and needs to be in a home where she is the only cat."
Ebony
Last autumn Ebony had six kittens when she was barely a kitten herself. In the three months she has been with the CPL, she has almost doubled in size and is now neutered.
Phil said: "I don't think she's ever been a house cat because she was wary when she came in, but is much better now."
If you would like to rehome one of the cats in the care of the CPL, call 01395 232377 or visit www.axhayes.cats.org.uk
The CPL also has an Amazon wish list for its cute cats and kittens. It enables people to buy items it needs rather than giving cash. Details can be found on the CPL website.
To raise additional funds, the CPL is hosting a Valentine's Coffee Morning on Saturday, February 14. Visitors can enjoy a Valentine's inspired cake, washed down with a drink while chat about all things cat and then meet the CPL's lovely cats.
