CAT protection charity Les Amis des Chats is planning a period of "vigorous fundraising" for its 10th anniversary year after losing the support of a key financial backer.

The group - which helped more than 500 unwanted or mistreated cats last year - says it will be more reliant on public donations this year after British animal charity the Blue Cross announced it was withdrawing its funding for overseas associates.

Les Amis des Chats acting president Lynn Stone wrote in a foreword to the charity’s annual review: "We were informed that the Blue Cross would no longer be providing funding to overseas associates and that our funding would therefore be withdrawn by the end of 2010.

"This will make a significant difference to our financial position, but we are confident that vigorous fundraising can make up the shortfall.

"We are extremely grateful to all the individuals and organisations who continued to support our work in 2009. We will be even more reliant on your help in the coming year and only with you can we look forward to continued success in 2010 and beyond."

Total income from donations fell by more than a third last year to e4,163 and fundraising revenue was down 40% at €5,719.

Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said in a statement: "Our charitable funds are becoming increasingly stretched, especially in the current financial climate. We aim to help more vulnerable animals and owners nationwide [in the UK] by focusing our limited resources in areas where we can achieve more."

To find out more about the charity and support them, see www.les-amis-des-chats.fr