A Bradford rescue charity has raised the alarm over what it says is a growing cat overpopulation crisis, after being made aware of nearly 150 stray and feral cats living in colonies across the district in just one month.
The Cat House Rescue, a volunteer-run charity, says around 144 cats were reported across 15 colony sites during September, many of them unneutered, ill or injured.
The charity has launched a Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programme in an effort to curb the problem, but says increasing veterinary costs and overwhelming demand are making it difficult to keep pace.
"The worst nightmare everyone dreads is already here"
Trustee Sally Coope said: "It's well known to anyone involved in rescuing cats that Bradford is just one big cat colony. The worst areas are BD5 and BD7. BD5 is another area that is horrific, as is Barkerend Road in BD3. It's well known by rescue volunteers in the area.
A young kitten receiving care after being rescued. (Image: The Cat House Rescue)
She said: "Recently, we were asked to help a heavily pregnant mum who had already lost her previous litter. At the same location were kittens in a shocking condition, suffering from cat flu and covered in fly eggs. Sadly, cases like this are becoming far too common.
Ms Coope added: "The worst nightmare everyone dreads is already here. We have just had a whole litter wiped out by parvo virus. We had one pregnant girl drop dead in labour after having her fifth litter, we find kittens half dead on the street, and this is no exaggeration. We see boys walking round looking like something from a zombie horror film. One boy we helped recently had a ruptured eye for years before we were told about him and got him help."
A tortoiseshell cat taken in by volunteers working to tackle Bradford's stray cat problem. (Image: The Cat House Rescue)
The charity says it has spent more than £12,000 on vet treatment in the past month alone, including caring for kittens suffering from severe cat flu, fleas and other illnesses.
Rising costs blamed
Ms Coope said increasing veterinary fees and the cost-of-living crisis were making matters worse.
She said: "One of the common misconceptions about the issue is that people are too lazy or do not want to get their cat neutered. Many people do want to neuter their cat but simply cannot afford to.
Four kittens rescued by The Cat House Rescue after being found in a Bradford cat colony. (Image: The Cat House Rescue)
Ms Coope added: "Owners are now routinely being quoted figures of around £200, so it falls to charities to subsidise the cost, but the demand is far more than we can deal with. The cost of living crisis and high vet prices are certainly the cause of the growing problem. Every year it gets worse."
Volunteers have neutered 17 cats through the TNR scheme over the past month, while rescuing three adult cats and 27 kittens.
Appeal for support
The charity is now appealing for donations and support to help continue its work.
A cat with severely matted fur being examined after being taken into care by The Cat House Rescue (Image: The Cat House Rescue)
Ms Coope said: "These cats didn't ask to be born on the streets, and they certainly didn't choose the circumstances they're living in. We have made a start, but we cannot do this alone.
She said: "We need more support and donations from the public so we can keep our TNR scheme going. Unless significantly more cats are neutered, the colonies will continue to grow and more kittens will be born on Bradford's streets into the same cycle of poor health, hunger and uncontrolled breeding."