Demand on animal welfare services is increasing.

The recession is a factor contributing to the number of animals needing to be re-homed when owners can no longer afford to keep them.

Figures from the Bradford branch of the RSPCA for last year show that 50 animals were brought in by people who could no longer afford to keep them as pets.

Consequently, the number of animals requiring re-homing has also increased from 165 in 2012 to 572 in 2013 – a 40.5 per cent increase.

The amount of owners seeking welfare assistance to treat their sick pets through an on-site clinic at the RSPCA’s Mount Street branch has also escalated.

“People take on animals but due to the economy they are finding it difficult, and some sadly have to part with their animals because they can’t afford to keep them,” says Bradford RSPCA branch manager Terry Singh.

“Other people still struggle and manage to keep their animals but have difficulty covering veterinary costs as well as feeding them. If they are on benefits we can help them them via our welfare clinic, but they have to meet a certain criteria.”

On the positive side, the welfare of animals in terms of neutering has increased by 98 per cent, which Terry attributes to local media highlighting the necessity of neutering to prevent the cat population increasing, and also to public support for the scheme.

“There has been a lot of activity in terms of support from the community, public support and from volunteers, also not forgetting the coverage in the Telegraph & Argus,” says Terry.

“We are encouraging people to neuter animals to prevent indiscriminate breeding so we don’t have an increase in the animal population.

“We don’t want an increase in animals, we want to help the animals that are already existing and we do have a lot of animals as well waiting for homes.”

The branch has already seen its services stretched through the rising number of dogs and cats in its kennels, cattery and feline maternity home.

Public donations significantly help the branch to look after the animals in their care. Ongoing support is essential to continue the charity’s vital work, which also involves caring for wildlife.

Since the introduction of the branch’s wildlife centre in May last year, staff have met a flurry of feathered friends and more unusual creatures. An otter, whose habitat was affected by flooding, was brought in by RSPCA inspectors, and an injured buzzard also found its way to the animal centre.

Both animals were transferred to the RSPCA wildlife centre at Stapeley Grange but cared for by Bradford in the interim.

“The branch has been congratulated on the continuing high levels of welfare activity,” says Terry, who credits his staff, volunteers, trustees and the general public for their contribution to the branch’s vital work.

“It is the time we live in at the moment – you never know what will crop up but with people struggling you do tend to get an influx, which is sad, but we have these centres that are helping to support the welfare of these animals which is desperately needed.”

Last year, Yorkshire Cat Rescue, formerly Haworth Cat Rescue, based in Keighley, had the highest number of abandoned and surrendered cats and kittens in its 22-year history.

Centre manager Sam Davies says last year they took in 670 cats. “The year before we had 540 and I thought we would never beat that,” she says.

The majority of those cats were re-homed. Currently the rescue centre has 48 cats in its care. Thirty-three of those are in foster homes but there are a further 238 cats on a waiting list to be brought in.

Sam says there are a number of reasons for the increase. Some cats are abandoned by tenants either because they believe the animal will be better off where it is, or they are moving to a property where animals aren’t allowed; the cat may belong to an elderly person who has to go in a home and the family don’t want to take it on; or it could be financial.

“Some people say they can’t afford the cost and we have people saying that because they have got evicted due to the bedroom tax, so there is a bit of a reflection of that,” says Sam.

For more information, call the Bradford branch of the RSPCA on (01274) 723060 or Yorkshire Cat Rescue on (01535) 647184.