The RSPCA said it is caring for more than 4,800 animals, and restarted rehoming and fostering animals in its care in England this week.

Defra has approved guidelines, put together by the Canine and Feline Sector Group, to allow animal welfare charities in England to rehome safely during the pandemic.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, said that in recent weeks there have been more than a million visits to the charity’s rehoming pages online, a rise of almost 30% and a staggering 600% increase in interest in fostering with more than 115,000 visits to its fostering page.

Mr Sherwood said: “We’ve continued to rescue and take in animals in need through this crisis and our frontline staff in our animal centres have done a sterling job in really tough circumstances, giving them the care and love that they need.

“But nothing can replace the care that a pet receives in a loving home, so we are thrilled that we are going to be able to start finding them the families they desperately need right across England.”