A Bradford-based cat rescue centre has been forced to suspend its waiting list after the number of pet owners seeking to rehome their cats reached 400.
Yorkshire Cat Rescue, located in Keighley, reported that demand was at an all-time high, with staff rescuing over 50 cats and kittens in just 10 days, including 23 from a single home.
Lynn Nicholls, the charity’s CEO, explained that the decision to close the waiting list was made because the centre could no longer manage the influx of requests.
The charity, which faces annual running costs of £500,000, relies heavily on donations to cover expenses such as food, bedding, and veterinary bills.
With three fundraising shops and a team of 30 staff and volunteers, Yorkshire Cat Rescue continues to operate in Cross Roads.
Nicholls attributed the surge in rehoming requests to challenges pet owners have faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“During the pandemic, many people adopted animals for companionship, but with vets closed, they were unable to get them neutered,” she said. “When the vets reopened, neutering costs were high.”
“As a rescue centre, we understand that people face difficult situations, but the reality is that many just can’t afford pets anymore.”
After experiencing its busiest summer in its 32-year history, the charity’s workload continued to grow as the colder months approached.
“We have 400 people needing to rehome their cats, and we simply don’t have the capacity to take in any more,” Nicholls said. “Unfortunately, we’ve had to close the waiting list.”
Yorkshire Cat Rescue was founded in 1992 by Sara Atkinson in Haworth and moved to its current location four years later.
Related Topics
