ANIMAL welfare workers have ruled a district of York a no-go zone for rescued cats, the Evening Press can reveal today.

A family of animal lovers from Foxwood contacted the paper to say their application to adopt two kittens was refused because of where they live.

Joanne and Nigel Stafford say the RSPCA told them the high number of feral cats in Foxwood means feline leukaemia and feline AIDS are rampant in the area.

This means they can't adopt one of the charity's cats.

But the couple feel they were let down by the local RSPCA branch after they applied to take the kittens.

They say they visited the charity's refuge, in Clifton, and were also visited at home by an RSPCA official.

Then Nigel, 40, said an RSPCA letter arrived on Tuesday explaining the disease problems and refusing the family's application.

"We thought we had been accepted, but suddenly we got a letter saying they don't home any cats in Foxwood.

"If they knew that, why didn't they tell us straight away," said 36-year-old Joanne.

Nigel said the couple's three children "cried their eyes out" when they heard the kittens weren't coming.

"We feel like we've been misled and the kids are all really upset. They were so excited that the kittens might be coming then the next thing we get this letter and they're not.

"If we'd known from the start then the kids wouldn't have got their hopes up," he added.

An RSPCA spokeswoman confirmed the Foxwood area is out of bounds to the charity's cats.

"It is because of the prevalence of feline leukaemia and AIDS. We tried to see if we could find a house cat for the family, that would not go out, but we couldn't guarantee it wouldn't escape.

"It is no reflection on the family. They seemed very nice and we need people like them, but animal welfare must come first."

James Hodgkison, shelter manager at York Cats Protection, said CP assess each case individually.

"If someone comes to the shelter and reserves a cat we do a home visit to check out the area in which they live.

"We base each home visit on its merits of the people and do not blanket ban areas."

The RSPCA runs a neutering programme which it says helps combat feline diseases. For details, ring 08705 555999.

Updated: 08:52 Thursday, March 07, 2002