A Bradford rescue centre has revealed the reality of saving cats and kittens as its faces vet bills of over £20,000.

Helen Sharp, a volunteer at Allerton Cat Rescue, told how the sanctuary has been forced to temporarily close admissions due to the sheer number of pregnant cats and kittens in its care.

The district's cat population has continued to rise with fewer people spaying and neutering their cats amid the pandemic.

Volunteers are currently caring for 70 kittens while answering new requests for help every day.

The rescue - run by founder Brenda Satterley on Allerton Road – is now set to host a fundraising extravaganza to pay off thousands of pounds in vet care.

From tombola stalls and raffles to food, drink and pet photo shoots, the event will take place at Gatehouse Vets between 9am and 6pm on July 26.

There will also be a chance to meet kittens like mascot ‘Angel Gabriel’, left in a shoe box on a doorstep at just four weeks old.

Helen said: “The rescue gets no funding, we are really struggling.

“It’s particularly bad this year. I cannot stress enough how important spaying and neutering is for both female and male cats.”

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