HOW many dogs and cats can you fit in a Vauxhall Meriva?

It sounds like a joke, but for charity worker Harry Griffiths it is no laughing matter.

Each day the 65-year-old collects animals from all over Gwent and takes them to a veterinary clinic in Newport, on behalf of Valleys charity Pets Awareness.

"It can get pretty crazy," says Mr Griffiths.

"They try to tear through the cages to try and get to each other.

"On a few occasions cats have managed to escape and then all hell breaks loose."

Mr Griffiths, of Winterson Close, Rassau, fits up to three 3ft by 3ft dog cages into the back of his car.

He then piles cat baskets on top to try to fit all the animals in.

Now Mr Griffiths is leading a fundraising drive for a dedicated animal ambulance to help expand the charity's work.

"It would be nice to be able to get them there calmly. They would be less stressed and so would we," he says.

They need to raise £8,000 to buy a suitable vehicle and a further £2,000 to convert it into an animal ambulance.

Pets Awareness has been running for five years and became a registered charity late last year.

It cares for stray and abandoned animals, providing expensive veterinary care while trying to rehome them.

It also runs a free Pets to Vets service for the pets of old and infirm people.

Last year Mr Griffiths completed a 26-mile bike ride to raise £1,185 for the charity, despite suffering from severe heart and lung disease.

Now he wants other animal lovers to join the fundraising efforts.

"It would be nice to be able to relax and concentrate on my driving knowing nothing is going to be jumping on my head," he says.

"We really need this ambulance. Anybody who can help would be very welcome."

To help Pets Awareness raise money contact fundraising officer Kathryn Jones on 01495 307983.