Bradford animal charities inundated with inmates as people forced to cut back (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford animal charities inundated with inmates as people forced to cut back

4:25pm Monday 30th November 2009

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Animal sanctuaries say they are struggling to cope with the rising number of pets being abandoned.

Several shelters are appealing for funds with many running at full capacity or being forced to turn animals away.

Mandy Miller, manager of the Bradford RSPCA animal shelter, in Mount Street, appealed for animal lovers to come forward to help re-home pets before Christmas.

Sarah Atkinson, central manager at the Haworth Cat Rescue, which has 380 cats in its care, said fewer people were getting their pets neutered to save money, leading to a rising number of kittens.

The economic climate had also seen fewer new owners coming forward and a rise in the number of people moving to rented accommodation who were unable to take cats with them, she said.

Roleystone Horse Sanctuary, which was forced to cancel its summer fund-raising events due to an outbreak of strangles, has also seen a rise in the number of unwanted animals.

But while there are many animals in Bradford in need of a loving home Elaine Pendlebury, senior veterinary surgeon for the PDSA, warned against giving pets as gifts.

She said: “This is never a good idea because buying a pet is a serious commitment. Pets can make a wonderful addition to a home, but people need to think carefully to avoid making mistakes.”

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