January is traditionally a busy time for animal charities and rescue centres, with many pets being abandoned during the post-festive period.

A lack of neutering, resulting in litters of unwanted kittens, and the effects of the recession on pet ownership are also contributing to the influx.

The T&A recently reported that a puppy found abandoned on the M62 near Bradford, and another dumped in a bin in Skipton, were among 30 Dogs taken in by the Dogs Trust Leeds over Christmas.

The charity suspects some of the puppies were bred to be sold as Christmas presents, and dumped when no buyers were found.

While the Trust, which covers the Bradford district, has taken in 78 dogs between December 23 and January 12, centre manager Amanda Sands says the influx of unwanted ‘present pups’ started before Christmas.

Some dogs handed in were abandoned in favour of a new pet, while others are likely to have been bought as gifts, then dumped when their owners had second thoughts. One dog taken in by the Trust was acquired by someone on Christmas Eve and became unwanted after chewing presents.

“Some people get rid of pet dogs before Christmas because they want them out of the way – it’s a time of year when people have guests round, or go on holiday, and cruelly decide they’d rather not have to worry about their dog, which they view as disposable,” says Amanda.

“With pups given as gifts, second thoughts often set in before they are actually given to the intended recipient.”

Amanda adds: “It’s shocking that so many people still buy puppies on a whim and don’t understand you could be looking at a ten or 15-year commitment.

“Sometimes people’s circumstances change beyond their control, but often it’s a case of people just not giving it enough thought when they take on a dog. They need to ask if they’re prepared to get up an hour earlier each day to walk their dog, whatever the weather, and do the same when they get home in the evening.”

Bradford RSPCA’s Mount Street shelter had a busy Christmas, caring for 134 cats, as well as dogs, ferrets and chickens.

Animal centre manager Mandy Miller said the cats ranged from kittens to older animals. They included Dougie, whose broken tail had to be half-amputated, and Willie, who has one eye after the other became badly infected.

The charity is calling on cat owners to get their pets neutered to reduce the soaring numbers of pregnant felines and unwanted kittens being abandoned at the animal centre.

“There are so many cats having unwanted kittens there’s no longer a ‘kitten season’. It’s constant all year round,” says veterinary nurse Adele Welsh. “We’re absolutely overrun with cats that are pregnant. It’s vital that people get their cats neutered to prevent unwanted litters and the spread of disease, and to reduce the load on charities.”

Haworth Cat Rescue took in seven cats within the first two days of 2012. The charity – which took in 519 cats and kittens over the past year, exceeding the previous year’s total of 436 – has made an urgent appeal for help to cope.

“We’re not so much bracing ourselves for a post-Christmas influx as we are for a repeat of 2011,” says founder Sara Atkinson.

“This area isn’t very well served in terms of cat rescue and we’re getting a lot of calls.”

The charity currently has 300 cats on the waiting list for its Cross Roads homing centre. Vet fees cost £3,000 a month, and general running costs have increased because of a higher intake.

Sara says abandoned cats are particularly vulnerable over winter. “Strays are more vulnerable in the winter and those with ailments, injury or age against them are less likely to survive,“ she says.

“The issue of abandonment, mistreatment and surrender of cats and kittens is a year-round one. It’s consistently appalling.

“The recession certainly hasn’t helped, and there are genuine cases where people are unable to continue looking after a pet for reasons of severe financial hardship. However, in most cases it’s a matter of where your priorities lie and what you’re willing to sacrifice to ensure your pet’s wellbeing.”