A charity which says it has endured its toughest year so far is not expecting improvements.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue, formerly Haworth Cat Rescue, says it anticipates demand for its services will remain “relentless”.

During 2013, the Cross Roads-based charity had to make room for the highest number of abandoned cats in its 22-year history.

Sara Atkinson, founder, said there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. “As the New Year bells rang, we almost breathed a sigh of relief that 2013 had finally come to an end,” she said.

“Bills are going up and donations are down. It is the perfect storm.”

In 1994 the charity re-homed 124 cats. Ten years later that number is 264, and this rose again to 613 cats by 2012. Last year, despite being closed for two months due to a virus outbreak, the charity found new homes for 664 cats and kittens.

The charity said it “desperately needed” more donations.

Currently, 50 cats and kittens are in the care of the charity with another 235 on the waiting list.

People can visit yorkshirecatrescue.org/donate/ to donate.