Catwork evolved into a sanctuary

As time passed, the emphasis of our activities changed; our homing activities diminished as there are a variety of other organisations carrying out that function. We became concentrated on the long stay hospice and sanctuary work. This came about for a number of reasons, but mainly because we found that there are cats which, for a variety of reasons, are not easily rehomed. These also seem to be the cats which are not readily accepted by the other, mainstream, organisations, so we felt that we should try to provide the sanctuary they deserve.

We seem to have developed a speciality in cats with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) which is a much misunderstood virus, many cats being, in our view, unnecessarily euthanased due to over-reactions from a lack of understanding. We have also been asked to help a number of cats with the FeLV virus (leukaemia), as well as a few with psychological problems rather than specific medical problems. All these cats fall into the general term "special needs".

The accommodation

Our accommodation has developed slowly over the years. There are now a number of different buildings of different sizes spread throughout the garden, each with its own outside area. All are timber buildings with heating and lighting. We provide loads of different levels and cubby-holes, so the different cats have a choice of where to go, sleep and play.

One major project (major for us, that is) was to try to improve the quality of life the FIV cats have whilst with us by creating an extensive enclosed garden area as an adventure playground for them. This is in a fairly 'wild' part of our large garden, and includes a number of trees, lots of shrubs and other undergrowth, and a selection of logs, little walls, and bits and pieces. This may look a little messy to our human eyes, but the cats love it - lots of places to poke about in and explore. This was completed in the late summer of 1999 and has become known as "the fivery".

In 2000 we put up a new building which can be divided into two, thus giving us flexibility to take more cats with special needs.

In 2001 we added three new, small buildings (room for 3 cats each). One has a largish garden area, which is an area for FeLV (Leukaemia) cats. the other two small buildings are within the main adventure garden, but also have their own enclosure area. This gives us more flexibility for handling a wider range of cats.

In 2003 we added another three small buildings – one for feLVs and two for FIVs. We also added some external lighting, which helps with the evening feeds during the winter (each building already had its own lighting and heating).

In 2004 we added one more building with its own area of garden, this is to increase the facilities for the FeLVs

In 2005 we added one smaller area with a small chalet for a special needs cat.

In 2006 we added an extra area at the top end of the garden for a small feral who needed somewhere to herself.

in 2007 we linked the geriatric area to the small area of 2005, giving more flexibility, and later extended again to make a new linked area with small chalet - this now makes a good sized and flexible geriatric complex near to the house.

Also in 2007 we cleared the final area at the top end of the garden and created a new section linked to the Fivery, which again gives us more flexibility to cater for the various needs. We have also been given a donation (early 2008) with which to purchase a new chalet for this final area!

We thought we had created all we could back in 2005, but there seems to be a never ending requirement to extend and improve to cater better for the variety of needs the cats seem to have. In fact there seems to be a list of requirements that grows as quickly as we can complete projects, but we really have run our of space now, we'll have to content ourselves with just making what we have better!

Re-reading the above, I think we are going to have to draw a plan of where all the different areas and chalets are - we looked at the Google maps, but that image was taken in summer, so nothing can be seen but the canopy of trees; back to the drawing board then - watch this space!



A patch of autumn sunshine is a popular spot