STAFF working at an RSPCA animal fostering centre near Didcot say they are devastated by a decision to close it before a replacement building has been found.

Willow Farm Rescue Centre at Chilton looks after animals that have been rescued or collected by RSPCA inspectors.

But staff say they have been told the centre will close on September 30 because the charity wants a new centre with more space, incorporating a shop and extra car parking. The centre currently has 20 cats and kittens, 18 rabbits, four hens and eight cockerels needing new homes.

Jo Aldworth, 59, a mum-of-three from Rowstock, who works part-time at the centre, said: “We opened three years ago and I have worked here for the whole time.

“It’s a great shame the RSPCA has decided to close the centre. I’m devastated by the decision.

“I gather the RSPCA Oxfordshire branch is looking for bigger premises, but it seems very strange to close this centre before they have opened a new one.

Mrs Aldworth said she and fellow care assistant Lucia Singer ran the centre with manager Joan Howard and 20 volunteers.

She added: “There has been a definite increase in the number of animals coming to us during the recession.

“We want to find homes for the remaining animals before the centre closes.”

Ingrid Smith, the owner of Willow Farm, said she leased a barn to the RSPCA which was then fitted out with animal pens.

She said 216 animals were rehomed by the centre in 2010 compared to 150 animals in 2009.

She added: “There is talk in the village that it’s my fault that the centre is going but that’s not the case at all.

“The lease was up at the end of last year and I offered to renew it at a slight rental increase of about £300 a year.

“The centre should not close until all the animals have been rehoused.”

Katya Mira, a spokesman for the RSPCA, said: “The decision to close the fostering centre at Willow Farm was not taken lightly, and followed months of discussions by the trustees of the RSPCA Oxfordshire branch.

“It was decided that, as the current lease had expired, now was the right time to look for a new facility with better facilities and also the opportunity to expand if required.

“The branch is now actively seeking new premises in preparation for when they vacate Willow Farm in September.

“The branch is keen to stress their animal welfare work will continue throughout this transition and animals which would have previously been taken to Willow Farm will be taken to other RSPCA centres or stay with fosterers in the interim.”