Harrogate Cat Rescue has said it is unable to take in any more cats or kittens.

The Harrogate charity shelter cats and cares for them until they can find their forever homes.

It said in a statement today it had received a record number of animals this year and due to slow adoption rates did not have the capacity to take in any more.

The organisation is not a traditional cat rescue with an animal shelter where it can host cats; it relies on foster carers for cats until they are adopted.

Technically it does not have a maximum capacity but the charity currently has more than 80 kittens in its care, not including older cats. and needs more volunteers to help shelter cats until they can be adopted.

Volunteer Lisa Francis told the Stray Ferret the cost of living crisis and education about the care cats needed were the biggest factors limiting the adoption process. She said:

“We know that times are tough, and this is very noticeably reflected in the rate of adoptions.

“Normally, there is a reasonably steady flow of enquiries and subsequent adoptions, which in turn adds to our resources and frees up foster space to allow us to take in other cats and kittens in desperate need.”

“Due to the incredibly slow rate of adoptions, we are currently stuck, unable to take in any more cats and kittens until we can free up space through adoptions.”

Many people buy young kittens without doing any research first and they the animals later end up in care. The charity currently has cats in foster care ranging from young kittens, older kittens (6 months+) to cats over 1 year all ready to be adopted.

The charity educates people on the advantages of adopting an older cat or kitten. Including that older cats do not need so much attention and are less demanding, they don’t have to be closely monitored with young children, they can be homed alone and they generally already know house rules.

Ms Francis added that pressure on the charity would be reduced if people considered adopting older cats. She also said cat owners can help the situation by neutering their pets.

She said:

“Many people don’t realise that kittens can get pregnant after four months and after having a litter they can be pregnant again within two weeks.”

The charity urged anyone considering getting a pet to speak to them prior to buying a cat.

Ms Francis said:

“People might want to buy a cat but can’t afford one at the moment. Fostering can be a great opportunity for this situation, we cover the main costs such as medical bills and someone gets a cat to look after.

“Please bear us in mind if you are looking to adopt a cat or kitten and talk to us about options. Quite often what people think will be right for them isn’t, and we can help you find the right new addition to your family.”

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Harrogate Cat Rescue has launched an urgent appeal for funding as it can no longer take in rescues until further notice.

In a post on its Facebook page, the centre said it was “bursting at the seams” with cats and kittens in rescue and no longer had space or funds to take more.

It added that it had 84 kittens which it had taken in  44 of which required neutering and vaccinating.

The rescue centre relies on adoption fees and financial donations to cover costs such as vet bills.

However, adoptions from the centre have been “extremely slow”.

It said in its post:

“The majority of our adoption requests are for young kittens, however, due to a lack of enquiries, a lot of the kittens (especially the black and white ones ) are growing up in care and becoming of an age that is not popular, taking up essential foster space needed to help those cats and kittens that desperately need it and using funds allocated for vets bills for their care.

“Your support over the last four years, has meant we have been able to give homes to over 800 cats and kittens.”

The centre, which was set up in 2020 by Celia Dakin, has appealed for donations as little as £1 a month.

It added:

“Small donations all add up and more of those will hopefully ensure we are never in this situation again.”

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A fundraiser has been launched for a well-known Harrogate woman who has died.

Helen McCallum, who was described as a “wonderful member of the community”, died on Saturday.

She had worked as bar manager at Harrogate Hockey Club and volunteered at Harrogate Cat Rescue during the covid lockdowns.

A fundraiser has been set up by Mandy Lotts to help give Helen “the wonderful send off that she deserves”.

At the time of writing, the page had raised £2,556.

In a social media post, Harrogate Hockey Club said:

“Helen has been at the club for several years, greeting everyone who walked into the bar with open arms and a smile.

“Her passion and dedication to her role led to the transformation of Hockey Saturdays and an increase in social activity at the club.”

Harrogate Cat Rescue said:

“Helen offered to help. All through the lockdowns, she home checked everyone who applied for a cat or kitten. 

“She was professional and thorough and helped me enormously in preparing all the paperwork necessary to run a rescue. Helen only retired from the role when she no longer had time – due to work commitments.”

For more information, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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Harrogate Cat Rescue has issued an urgent appeal for donations following an unprecedented influx of kittens.

Celia Dakin set up the centre in 2020 to rescue and rehome cats and kittens but said this summer in particular has been “relentless” with kittens coming in from all over Yorkshire, as the cost of living crisis bites. She said:

“I’ve never seen anything like it. We are overrun with kittens.”

The centre, near to Asda supermarket in Harrogate, has around 70 kittens at the moment but many are sick and in desperate need of medical attention. Ms Dakin’s vet bill for last week alone came to £2,300.

One of the kittens in need of help is Pedro, who was rescued this year after suffering abuse. He suffers from a disease called FIP (feline infective peritonitis), which affects his eyes and will kill him without treatment. However, it costs £5,000.

Ms Dakin said:

“He’s had such a rough life. I have to save him. It would lift my heart.”

A crowdfunder has been set up to raise money to pay for Pedro’s vet bills, and is almost halfway to reaching its target. If you would like to donate visit here.

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With pet food prices rising, the cost of living crisis is being felt acutely by many cat owners.

Ms Dakin has even taken calls from people saying they can no longer afford to feed their pets and want to give them up for adoption.

But she is determined to do her best for the cats and praised the Harrogate community for their kindness in supporting her organisation. She added:

“My phone rings incessantly but I can’t not answer. It’s who I am.”

The cat rescue, which is currently applying for charitable status, is also in need of cat food and cat litter. If you would to donate, or are interested in becoming a cat foster, visit its website.

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of rescue animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month Trix, Rupert, Dapple and Tricky are looking for a home. 

Trix

Age: Eight months old

Trix’s Story: Trix was born with a congenital defect of her sternum, Pectus Excavatum. This required very specialist surgery and repeated operations to try and correct the defect so that she could breathe more normally.

Temperament: Trix has now been given a new lease of life and has now been able to play and run around like any other kitten, with lots of rest in between.

Ideal home: She needs an adult only home where someone is around most of the time. Trix would enjoy the company of gentle cat companions and although she will be timid to begin with once she gets to know you she is very affectionate.

Could you give Trix a loving home? Get in touch with Harrogate Cat Rescue.

Rupert

Age: three-years-old

Rupert’s story: Rupert is a sweet boy who came into the care of RSPCA after his owner could no longer meet his needs.

Temperament: This sweet pup is friendly and likes to be out and about meeting people and other dogs but he isn’t too leen on being left alone. He will need to be at home most of the time while he learn it’s ok to be left alone.

Ideal home: He is a very active dog so needs equally active adopters to give him the exercise he needs. Rupert will need a home where there is a secure fully enclosed garden with a six-foot fence. Rupert could live with another dog after a successful introduction at the centre and could live with children aged 10 years and over.

Could Rupert fit in with you and your life? Get in touch with RSPCA York, Harrogate & District Branch. 

Dapple and Tricky

Age: Adult

Dapple and Tricky’s Story: Dapple came to the centre as an unclaimed stray, she had an injury to one of her toes which unfortunately was too old to be fixed so she had it amputated. Tricky is a sweet little rabbit who was born at the centre after his mum and dad were not wanted by their previous owner any longer.

Temperament: Dapple has great character and is a cheeky, happy girl but is also quite independent and likes to keep herself to herself and does not enjoy much handling. Tricky is a young, cheeky and playful little boy. These two rabbits have been bonded here at the centre and they love each other so much.

Ideal home: They would be suitable to live with children aged 14 years and over. Their home needs a hutch that is a minimum of six-foot with an attached run of a minimum eight-foot.

If you have space for these furry friends, get in touch with RSPCA York, Harrogate & District Branch. 

The Stray Pets Rescue Club is our monthly profile of animals in and around the Harrogate district, searching for their forever family home. This month, Mavis the cat and dogs Foxy and Fraizer need your help.

Mavis

Age: 5 years old

Mavis’ story: When Mavis came to Harrogate Cat Rescue, there were suspicions she had been abused, and she was aggressive towards cats and other people.

Temperament: Over time and with plenty of patience, Mavis has learned to trust humans once again. She is now a loving and affectionate cat.

Ideal home: Mavis needs an adult only home, with someone who will give her time to adjust. She will also need access to a safe outdoor space once she’s ready.

If you could help Mavis feel safe in a loving home, contact Celia at Harrogate Cat Rescue on 07749 461042.

Foxy

Age: approx. 5 years old

Foxy’s story: Foxy has lived at Miss Mollie’s Rescue for a number of years as she needs a very specific home – but she is ready to find her new owners.

Temperament: Foxy is very affectionate, and loves having cuddles and lots of attention. Riding in the car and going for nice, quiet walks are her favourite things to do. She can get anxious and protective of her home, and needs reassurance.

Ideal home: Because Foxy prefers women to men, she will ideally live with a woman on her own with no visiting children. Foxy will need a quiet home, and an owner with lot of experience with rescue dogs.

If Foxy could become part of your family, get in touch with Miss Mollie’s Rescue. 

Frazier

Age: 11 years old

Fraizer’s story: Fraizer came to the RSPCA in a terrible condition; an untreated flea allergy left him with sore skin and the loss of half his fur. he’s now ready to start his new life with a new family.

Temperament: Fraizer is always happy to see and meet new people and is sociable with most other dogs (but can get a bit giddy!). He loves attention and snuggling up for fuss.

Ideal home: Fraizer is desperate to be in a loving home and part of the family. He can live with other dogs (after a successful meeting) and children aged over 10.

If you have a space in hour heart for Fraizer, contact RSPCA York, Harrogate and District branch. 

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