A CAT rescue service in Bradford has launched a plea for funding as it looks to pay off a vets bill of more than £15,000.

Allerton Cat Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation run by founder Brenda Satterley and is based in part of her home, on Allerton Road, has started the appeal for funding.

Centre volunteers say the pandemic has proved difficult for the group to raise funds, as they have been unable to raise cash in person by holding events at venue including supermarkets.

But the organisation still managed to rehome 925 cats and kittens in 2020 and more than 850 last year.

They say vet prices have increased and the organisation has been unable to fundraise in person due to Covid.

Last year Allerton Cat Rescue's vet bill was more than £96,000 and they have an outstanding vet bill of more than £15,000.

Brenda said: "We just haven't been able to get out over the last couple of years to do fundraising.

"It's all been stopped because of what's going on."

Meanwhile, the organisation added all cats should be neutered and spayed at four to five months old.

Cats Protection is running a chip and snip campaign in the BD1 to BD15 excluding BD13 postcode areas. Under the campaign you can get your pet cat neutered for £5 and microchipped for an additional £5.

Helen Clark, Allerton Cat Rescue volunteer, said: "There is a huge problem with stray and abandoned cats and kittens in some areas of the city because of this not being done and this can be done for as little as £5, cats.

"Cats Protection have a scheme in most areas and people need to contact the vets they use directly.

"It's really horrible some of the things that we see. It's heartbreaking.

"We re-home the most cats in Bradford. There needs to be more protection for cats.

"The used to go into supermarkets to do fundraising, but because of Covid we haven't been able to.

"It's neverending. We can't do all the things that we want to do. Certain parts of Bradford have problems with cats like Girlington and Leeds Road. Cats are running around there."

To make a donation, go to allertoncatrescue.co.uk. Donate by Paypal (family and friends) to allertoncatrescuefundraising@hotmail.co.uk. People can also donate to the group's HSBC bank account: Allerton Cat Rescue, sort code 40-46-58, account number: 11252615. Donate by cheque made out to Allerton Cat Rescue and post to them.

Go to cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/neutering-campaigns/bradford-neutering-campaign