HUDDERSFIELD is being swamped with abandoned cats.

So now an animal charity has issued a desperate plea for help.

The Huddersfield branch of the RSPCA is full to bursting with cats and kittens and volunteers are struggling to cope.

Many of the animals have been found dumped on the streets.

In the past week alone the charity has taken in 20 abandoned and injured animals.

They have included two litters – some of which have the flu – in boxes, a two-week old kitten found in a park and an elderly cat that was so poorly it had to be put to sleep.

The charity has also recently received a few injured tom cats – one with a scalded back – a pregnant cat which was left on a doorstep, a cat found in a box at Scammonden Reservoir and a kitten found in a ditch at Flockton.

Cats and kittens that are taken in by the Huddersfield branch are looked after by its 12 volunteer fosterers until they can be found homes.

There is a large number of animals waiting to come into the RSPCA, as cats deemed to be higher priority, such as sick and injured ones, kittens and pregnant cats are brought in first.

The RSPCA asks owners who do not want their pets anymore to keep hold of them until they can be accommodated by the charity.

Jane Robinson, committee member of Huddersfield RSPCA, said: “We are inundated with these poor animals and its becoming impossible to cope.

“We are always busy, but at the moment we seem to be getting a lot more indoor cats and kittens.

“Cat rehousing isn’t very good in Huddersfield at the moment. It’s slow because it’s hard to get people to come to their local RSPCA as they tend to go to bigger centres, like Bradford. But we urge people to support us.

“We need help from responsible people who can take on a cat, but we need people that are going to look after them.”

People wanting to rehouse an RSPCA cat have to pay a £50 fee, which includes neutering, triple vaccination and microchipping.

Potential new owners are checked over the phone to make sure their home is suitable and they have to fill in a questionnaire. When they take on the animal they receive a follow-up home check.

The charity is also urging owners to get their pets neutered to prevent straying and unwanted litters.

People receiving benefits or on low incomes can have their pets neutered for free through the RSPCA.

Application forms can be obtained from Civic Centre 1 information, the RSPCA shop on Trinity Street, and most local vets.

To help Huddersfield RSPCA by adopting a cat contact cat-coordinator Christine Hirst on 01484 687710.