They have started their organisation called Nine Lives Four Paws – the only one of its kind in Maitland – to search for foster carers for homeless moggies.

Mr Hardy said kitten season was fast approaching so now was the time to spread the message about the need for more foster carers for unexpected litters and the importance of desexing cats.

“We have been doing this for more than a year now and we have 60 cats and kittens in our care,” Mr Hardy said. “Twenty of those live at our house and 10 foster carers have the rest. 

“All our kittens are desexed, microchipped and vaccinated before they are adopted out.”

The couple rescues most of the animals from pounds between Muswellbrook and Sydney and some are surrendered by their owners.

“All these cats were on death row,” he said. “We care for them out of our own pockets. Most are sick or need veterinary care when we get them and we pay for their treatment.

“We take in as many as possible and as many as we have room for because our hearts go out to these animals with nowhere to go.

“We love them because each has its own personality, they are weird and wonderful and beautiful.”

Mr Hardy said one rescue case involved a cat whose microchip had lodged into her spinal cord and she was paralysed.

“She needed treatment with a neurologist and a neurosurgeon in Sydney and this cost about $3500 (a discount from the usual $9000).”

The operation was filmed for an episode of Bondi Vet and will be seen on television next February.

Another cat was suffering a burst abscess in her abdomen after a dog bite went untreated.

She also needed surgery which cost $2000.

Mr Hardy said assistance is available for cat owners who can not afford to have their pets desexed. Hunter Animal Watch and the National Desexing Network offer discounts to cat owners with low incomes.