Cat rehoming demands at record levels - charity

The charity took in more than 50 cats and kittens in November during a busy 10-day run

A Bradford cat rescue centre has been forced to suspend its waiting list after the number of owners wanting their pets rehomed hit 400.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue in Keighley said cases were at record levels, with staff recently rescuing more than 50 cats and kittens over 10 days - including 23 from one home.

Lynn Nicholls, the charity's chief executive officer, said the temporary measure was brought in as it "could no longer cope" with any further requests.

The charity said its £500,000 annual running costs were rising, adding it relied heavily on donations to pay for food, bedding and medical bills.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue, in Cross Roads, has three fundraising shops and a team of 30 staff and volunteers.

Ms Nicholls said the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis had caused pet owners major issues.

"During the pandemic people got animals to keep them company, but the vets were closed and they were unable to get them neutered," she said.

"When the vets reopened it cost quite a lot to neuter."

Lynn Nicholls, pictured with seven-year-old Niall, says the centre has run out of capacity to take on further cats or kittens

"As a rescue centre we do understand that people have very difficult situations, but the long and short of it is that people just can't afford pets."

After the charity experienced its busiest period in its 32-year history over summer, pressures continued into the colder months.

"We have 400 people that need to relinquish cats and we just don't have the capacity to take any more," Ms Nicholls said.

"Unfortunately we've had to close the waiting list."

Yorkshire Cat Rescue was founded by Sara Atkinson in Haworth in 1992 and moved to its current base four years later.