'Ill treatment of cats has got significantly worse'

Animal rescue centres have said they are seeing rising numbers of cats being neglected, abused and abandoned.

In March 2024, the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford branch took 50 cats into its care, but in 2026 it accepted 80.

The charity said there had been a record number of cats in national RSPCA centres, with about a third of them in emergency catteries.

Katie Lloyd, from independent charity Bradford Cat Watch, said she was seeing the highest level of abuse and neglect for 20 years.

"I can understand people struggle to pay for these things – however, what I cannot understand is the increasing abuse, wilful abuse," she said.

"We're seeing horrendous injuries coming in, cats with wounds that are left untreated, and a lot of accidents that are left untreated, because no one will step in and help them."

Bradford Cat Watch is a volunteer-run organisation that nurses ill cats and helps them find homes.

Last year it rehomed 200 cats and raised more than £80,000.

Lloyd said she was receiving 50 to 60 calls a day and was often having to turn away animals in need.

"I can only hope that things improve, whether they do or not I don't know because in the last 20 years things have got significantly worse," she said.

Marion Coates adopted her cat Teddy from Bradford Cat Watch in August last year. He was found abandoned and abused.

"Teddy was found when he was 6-7 weeks old by the side of the street severely injured," said Coates.

"He had a broken jaw, a dislocated jaw and it was broken in several places. And all the skin under the pads on his feet was burned off, which the vet said was done by a chemical.

"And all his injuries supported that he had been very badly abused."

Teddy underwent surgery and had his eye removed but is now fully recovered.

"I was shocked that somebody could do that to such a tiny kitten. He's an absolutely adorable loving kitten, how could they hurt something like that?" said Coates.

Fay Gibbons, digital manager at the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and Bradford branch, said part of the problem was the rising cost of vet bills.

"Veterinary care is obviously very expensive as it is, but now we've got the cost of living crisis, veterinary care can't be afforded.

"All these people are really struggling with just the basics of pet care, which means they're trying to find solutions and that can be having to surrender your pet or having to abandon your animals if they can't find anywhere to have them."

She said the recent increase had been "crazy", with many people unable to afford to neuter their pets.

"We're getting a lot of unwanted litters," she said.

"I don't know how long the rescue centres across the UK are going to cope with these figures right now, and they're just climbing, which is very concerning."

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