The situation is worse than it has been for several years and the credit crunch could be to blame as hard-up animal owners see getting rid of the family pet as an easy way of saving money.

The branch is caring for more than 120 animals at present, which is costing the charity £2,500 each week in boarding fees, food and vets' fees.

Branch treasurer Kay Harrison said: "It has not been as bad as this for quite some time and we are at crisis point.

"I think a lot of people are getting rid of their pets to save money if things are tight but we are at the stage where we cannot take any more in now until some find new homes.

"When you are rehoming as well as accepting animals in, it is OK as you are getting turnover, but at the moment far more people are wanting rid than coming forward to give them homes.

"I know the forthcoming school holidays will not be helping as people will not want to get a new pet if they are going on holiday soon."

Cats and kittens are being dumped on an almost daily basis.

Cats rehoming officer Mary Gray said: "We have kittens turning up in cardboard boxes on the side of the road, cats just being abandoned, and they are coming in from all over Bridlington.

"It's terribly sad, and some are coming in in an awful condition."

The Bridlington branch is caring for 23 dogs, which are living in kennels in Nafferton, even though the charity should only take in 16 dogs at any one time. There are also 29 kittens, 30 birds and 20 rabbits in foster homes, and 23 adult cats spread out over two catteries.

Boarding fees alone amount to £1,500 per week, far more than the charity's shop in Quay Road can generate.

"The shop does very well but it doesn't cover that by any stretch of the imagination. We struggle, but we manage, mainly because of our fund-raising volunteers who are willing to give so much time every week," added Mrs Harrison.

Mrs Harrison said: "The situation is now very bad. We really need animal lovers to contact us if they can give one of our pets a good, loving home for life.

"Anyone wanting to give a pet up for whatever reason will now be put on a waiting list as we have no free spaces anywhere and are well over our numbers as well."

* To adopt a dog from the branch, call 01377 240325. To adopt a cat, kitten or rabbit, leave your details on 409080.

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