Kittens found at Harris Street Recycling Depot in Bradford

The surprising discovery was made at Harris Street Recycling Depot.

The black and white felines were described as being underweight and malnourished.

The kittens’ mum was nowhere to be found.

The kittens are now regaining their strength after being taken to a local vets practice by depot staff.

Kittens found at Harris Street Recycling Depot. (Image: Bradford Council)

They will remain in the vets’ care until they are strong enough to be rehomed to loving families.

It isn’t the most unusual place that cats have been rescued in Bradford district.

In 2019, a trio of kittens were saved from a demolition site at the former Bradford Odeon.

Police officers were called to Bradford Live after receiving reports that someone may have entered the building.

The litter was named after a number of theatres in the district.

Kittens found at Harris Street Recycling Depot. (Image: Bradford Council)

Rising number of kittens on Bradford's streets

In recent years, there have been huge efforts to curb large numbers of kittens born out of a lack of neutering. 

Cat rescues are struggling to cope the sheer amount of unwanted litters and un-neutered cats thrown out on the street.

The cost of living crisis, spiralling vet bills, and animals abandoned after the Covid lockdowns are also contributing to the problem.

Laura Westcough, co-founder of Pink Paws Cat Rescue, previously told the T&A that she often saves up to 10 cats a day.

"Lack of neutering causes them to fight, spreading disease and infections and viruses,” said Laura.

“Abandoning them and leaving them to fend for themselves, they can’t do very well because they are domesticated. This is just a small snippet of what goes on, it’s horrific.

“We really need to push the importance of neutering and we desperately need help from larger organisations too."

She finds many cats trapped under rubbish and facing serious health problems.

It is over a year since fosterer Billie-Jean Nixon, who works with Ally Cats Rescue of Thornton, spoke of her daily worries as a volunteer.

“Bradford gets worse year on year," she previously told the T&A.

“Our greatest challenge is the belief by many people in Bradford that neutering is somehow cruel and goes against nature and certain religious beliefs. Neutering would save hundreds if not thousands of cats and kittens from suffering and dying.

“Other obstacles are the lack of rented accommodation allowing pets and short hold tenancies. Ever increasing vet fees are also a problem as many people simply can't afford to treat their pets.

“We are also feeling the impact of price rises and get no government help whatsoever. We fundraise tirelessly but it barely scratches the surface."