Animal care specialists have returned from a mission to help tackle Bulgaria’s spiralling problem with wild dogs and cats.

Dr Scarlet Aflalo-Meyrick led the volunteer group from Village Vets in Belsize Park with veterinary nurse Niamh Cunningham and veterinary student Rhiannon Edmonds.

They joined up with Jack’s Giant Journey rescue organisation to neuter animals and help keep the wild population in check.

“The neutering project is vital,” Dr Aflalo-Meyrick explained. “One dog and her offspring can produce up to 67,000 puppies in just six years. A cat and her offspring can produce 370,000 kittens in just seven years.

“We aimed to neuter as many dogs and cats as possible, working free.”

The team operated for 50 hours over the four days of their trip, neutering 120 cats and dogs. Various charities have been working in Bulgaria to prevent uncontrolled animal breeding and growth of the wild population.