It will be a sad day if two long-standing Bradford district animal charities are forced to close.

The Roleystone Horse and Pony Sanctuary in Wrose and the Allerton Cat Rescue charity have both done sterling work for our four-legged friends over the years.

But each of them is having to cope with a spiralling number of their respective charges, and the care of animals does not come cheap. As both of these organisations rely on the generosity of people to continue their good work, they are finding the money that is coming in is not going far enough to cope with the increasing numbers of animals that need their help.

Charities, like businesses and households, are susceptible to the recent tough economic times. If people are having to tighten their belts they are perhaps unable to donate as much as they would like to such organisations.

In the case of the cat rescue, there might be people who cannot afford to keep their pets so either turn them loose as strays or hand them in at the rescue centre. These increasing numbers mean that the charities are struggling to buy food, medical care and pay for their general running costs.

It is a very sad situation, especially for a nation of supposed animal lovers.

Short term, it is hoped that these charities are able to weather the financial storm.

Longer term, those of us who do have pets can perhaps do our bit by continuing to care for them and have cats and dogs neutered so they do not add to the population of unwanted animals.