A Cross Roads-based charity that takes in abandoned cats and kittens has appealed for more foster carers to come forward.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue warns it is dealing with an “unprecedented influx” of unwanted pets and strays.

Charity founder, Sara Atkinson, said: “Given the shortage of cat pens on site, we desperately need more people to open their doors to some of Yorkshire’s homeless cats and kittens.”

She highlighted the example of sibling kittens ‘Peanut’ and ‘Crumble’. They were among a litter of six kittens, and now have a loving, permanent home thanks to the efforts of a foster couple.

They were hand-reared by Sheila Pepper and her husband, Nigel.

Sheila said: “As a foster carer, you notice things that might not be picked up so quickly in a rescue setting, but that’s not the only reason fostering is so important.

“One of the main purposes is to make sure the kittens are properly raised and socialised in a home environment.”

Visit yorkshirecatrescue.org/support-us/foster-a-cat-kittens/ for more details.

In addition to its appeal for foster carers, the charity is hoping its neutering message will eventually make an impact as well.

It says adult cats on its waiting list are dying before they can be accommodated because its pens are full of unwanted kittens.

Sara added: “We consider pregnant cats and nursing mums the highest priority and try our hardest to accommodate them at short notice.

“But they just keep coming. If the majority of pet cats were neutered, the country’s homeless cat problem would be many, many times smaller.”