A CAT rescue organisation has made a desperate plea for people not to let kittens out until they are neutered or chipped.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue, at Cross Roads near Haworth, recently came to the aid of a tiny kitten found on a Bradford street after being hit by a car.

“The 19-week-old kitten, now named Winter, was given treatment at the vets and we’re hopeful that cage rest and painkillers will help him make a full recovery,” said a spokesman for the charity. “Sadly, Winter’s story is not unique. The number of kittens found on the streets is steadily increasing; this is one of the many reasons YCR continues to focus on the importance of not letting kittens out until they’re six months of age, and are neutered and chipped.

“This is to prevent unwanted litters and kittens getting lost. It’s a happy outcome for Winter as he has already been reserved and will be heading to his new home once he’s been given the all-clear by the vet. But we still have a very long waiting list and most of our adult cat pens are full.”

She added: “We ensure that every cat and kitten who comes to us is chipped and neutered before going to their new homes, and every person who adopts from us is given appropriate advice and information on settling their new cat or kitten in.”

The charity, formerly known as Haworth Cat Rescue, saves abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens across the region and parts of Lancashire.

Last October the Telegraph & Argus reported on cat rescuers warning that dead kittens lying in Bradford streets could soon become normal. Laura Westcough, co-founder of Pink Paws Cat Rescue, said she saves up to 10 cats a day, often found trapped under rubbish. One volunteer was caring for 27 cats in her home.

Laura told the T&A: “We’re not really getting to the root of the problem. We’re picking up the pieces of a horrible mess. People get kittens and don’t follow through and give them the correct care they need. It’s the microchip, the vaccines and the neutering.”

Paula Thoma, who cares for 40 rescue cats, said she had found kittens with maggots crawling out of their bodies and cats almost blind due to untreated illnesses like feline Aids (FIV). She said the situation had become “horrific”, with people throwing cats out onto streets un-neuteured and often with diseases.

She said: “I get messages all day regarding cats that need help and I try to make sure they have rescues to go to but the situation is not getting any better. We see dying kittens everywhere, kittens dead in carrier bags. People are letting their cats breed and half of them won’t even live.”

Billie-Jean Nixon, who works with Ally Cats Rescue of Thornton, said: “Rescues are run off their feet. Kittens are handed to children like playthings, left un-neutered on the streets. Bradfordis struggling to cope. I suspect 2020 will be worse.”

* For more about Yorkshire Cat Rescue, or advice on neutering cats, email@yorkshirecatrescue.org or call (01535) 647184. Lines are open from 1pm to 4pm weekdays and 10.30am to 4pm weekends.

* To see all cats/kittens available at the charity go to yorkshirecatrescue.org/search-for-a-cat