Bradford’s RSPCA is facing a cat crisis.

The branch has more than 120 cats and kittens waiting for adoption and the current situation is forcing staff to refuse all cats that are brought in by the public due to lack of space.

Last month the branch handled 169 cats – and only 28 of those were adopted.

Bradford branch general manager Terry Singh said one of the main reasons they were running out of space was because people were bringing in healthy cats they had been feeding who may belong to owners.

“With limited resources we need to help the cats we have in,” said Mr Singh.

He emphasized the need for owners to microchip their cats so they can be returned to them if they are lost.

“We are trying to put the onus on people to really think because what tends to happen is people start seeing a cat about and may start feeding it but they are creating a problem because it may belong to somebody,” said Mr Singh.

Jan Robertshaw, branch chairman, said: “The majority of cats brought in as strays must have been someone’s much-loved pet at some time, but unfortunately as they are not microchipped we are realistically only able to reunite a small number back to their rightful owners.

“The cost of keeping these cats until they are adopted is a worrying strain on the branch finances. Very rarely does the adoption fee cover the cost of neutering, veterinary treatment and care they receive.”

Neutering would also help to quell the city’s escalating cat population.

“The biggest factor is people are not having animals neutered or speyed and they breed like rabbits,” said Mr Singh.

“The numbers are not going down, they are increasing.”

Donations and cat food are welcome and can be given to any RSPCA charity shop or taken directly to the Mount Street centre.

For more information call (01274) 723063.