A pet rescue centre in a US county has devised a novel way of finding more homes for its abandoned cats - make their dogs more expensive.

At least 1,600 cats can now be said to owe their lives to their canine counterparts in Salt Lake County, Utah, where a higher price tag has been put on some dogs and the $65 (£43) "adoption fee" for adult cats was abolished.

Although animal lovers still have to fork out for a kitten they will not need to pay a thing for cats six months and older. Taking a dog home costs anything up to $295.

Salt Lake County Animal Services said it used to sell dogs for a flat $95 but now uses the profits from the new price range to pay for its cat programme.

Shelter manager April Harris said the cat program, which began in June last year, has been such a success that she wants to turn the centre into a "no-kill shelter" within the next few years.

Almost 200 cats have found new homes from the the centre this year - Ms Harris said her target for 2010 is to have 2,000 cats re-housed.

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