Kittens waiting to be rehomed at Yorkshire Cat Rescue.

Cheap online pets and rising numbers of charities are posing a fundraising challenge

A cat charity boss has spoken out about fresh challenges with fundraising, as declining donations are coupled with a rising number of charities flooding the market.

Sara Atkinson, founder of Yorkshire Cat Rescue, says that as public budgets are cut, more and more new charities are cropping up to fill gaps in support and services. This comes at a time when families are still squeezed financially and donations to animal charities are dropping.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue has seen a "marked slow-down" in donations that is having a "direct impact" on the number of cats and kittens it is able to help.

Coupled with this, Sara says adoption fees simply do not cover the cost of vaccinating, worming, microchipping and neutering each animal that comes through their doors. However, the charity feels unable to increase the fee "for fear that people will instead seek out cheaper pets online."

With an increasing number of charities popping up, Sara says there is rising competition for stalls at fairs and fetes. Together with online donations, Yorkshire Cat Rescue relies on these events to bring in much-needed funds.

"We have just been told that we can't have a stall at the Bingley Show because another cat rescue has already booked a space," Sara explains. "Last year we raised around £1,000 at this event which we now have to find elsewhere. It is a huge blow."

The charity also faces extra costs when it comes to felines with more complex needs, such as Trull - a six-month-old kitten with congenital elbow luxation.

The condition has caused lameness in his front legs, one of which may require amputation. Costs for his care are expected to reach £750 to £1,000.

Sara says: "The costs involved in his treatment and care will be substantial but it is our ethos to look after the healthy as well as the sick and give them all a chance of a new home."

Charities struggle with the public perception that their work, while valuable, does not directly help people, Sara says. Providing a safe home for people's pets is a "great comfort" to those who find themselves sick or evicted, as well as those who have died, leaving a beloved pet behind.

Sara is urging people to host their own community events to support the charity, organise collections at work or hold an event in memory of a loved one who was an animal lover.

Image courtesy of Yorkshire Cat Rescue.