A Visit to Feline Care Cat Rescue

Yesterday morning I came across an article about the Norfolk Feline Care Cat Rescue and Homing Centre which is in desperate need of help - it has until the end of September to raise £70,000 in order to buy itself and become a registered charity in it's own right, or it will have to close it's doors.

I learned the following from their website:

"FELINE CARE was founded in 1997 to take on the 'unwanted' moggies and offer a forever-home to those with nowhere else to go. Over the years Feline Care has evolved as many of the nervous cats we take in have slowly learnt to love humans and have since found their own homes. Now we operate a regular rescue and rehoming sanctuary but with a difference because we will always be here for those who need us most..."

This one really got to me, especially as we've just had Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet-Week. Whilst we have no room for more kitties ourselves and aren't exactly rolling in money this year, we resolved to go show our support in whatever little way we could at their open day today, which is part of their final bid to raise the money.

Upon arrival we were greeted by so many wonderful sights and sounds - there was an excellent turnout and in true brit style everyone was having tea and coffee on the grass, as kids played on the bouncy castle and friendly resident cats wandered from person to person for a bit of attention, or lounged lazilly on the comfy sofas and chairs.

As we walked around, there was a door open to what looked like a stock room for the cat's food and spare furniture, and sitting quietly and patiently on one of these was a little cat. At first I thought she was very old, but as I got closer I realised she had a very bad skin condition which had caused her skin to wrinkle. As I said hello she came to life and immediately meowed a friendly greeting. That was it, for the next 20 minutes she got all my attention and cuddles. One of the FelineCare staff came over and explained that Brock has an allergy that they are working on at the moment, but she's otherwise happy and healthy, enjoying a good life at the centre and lapping up all of the attention. She also refuses all comfortable cat furniture and prefers to find the most awkward, inhospitable spot possible! 

I surprised myself but getting a little choked up at the thought that she might not get a home due to her allergy. I do hope it doesn't deter people as she was such a beautiful little soul, so willing to love and be loved. By the time I left (grudgingly) there was a little queue of people ready to continue the cuddles, so I felt a bit better!

Brock

This little beauty (below) was greeting everyone who came past. I was told that she doesn't really like to be stroked unless it's on her head. I very slowly stopped what I was doing (a rigorous back rub) and gave her a good chin and ear scritch instead. Claw attack averted, everyone seemed happy!

Here are a few of the outdoor cats roaming the centre...

And these are the indoor cats. Their facilities are spacious, clean and have UPVC glazing and under floor heating. There are lots of cat trees, shelves and perches and little cat tunnels which lead to an enclosed inside space should they get too cold (or bored of visitors!).

All in all we felt that the centre was very well run and was giving excellent care to it's residents - a safe, loving and healthy environment. I really do hope that they raise enough money to stay open and we are keeping fingers, toes and paws crossed for them all.

You can visit them at FelineCare or on their facebook page Facebook.com/Savefelinecare.

We helped too, we donated some of our sunday cuddles!!