Fears for needy pets in shelter funding crisis

THE threatened closure of the RSPCA cattery is causing dismay at Barby Keel's animal sanctuary in Freezeland Lane.

The rescue centre already has 200 cats and cannot take in any more.

Approximately 600 animals and birds are being cared for by Barby Keel and her "motley crew" and they now fear having to turn others away.

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A report in the Observer told how the future of the Bluebell Ridge cattery in St Leonards is in doubt and fighting for its survivial.

Bluebell Ridge has room for 50 cats but manager Julie Watson told the Observer there was a "desperate need" for funds if the centre is to keep going beyond April.

Meanwhile Barby Keel has been warned that the Blue Cross in Northiam is likely to close '“ also because lack of funds.

Christine Haker is the volunteer in charge of cats at the sanctuary and as helped there for 20 years.

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She said she cannot understand why funds are not being sent out to support local branches of animal rescue charities and fears the implications for the Barby Keel sanctuary.

Christine said: "We are getting all these phone calls asking if we can take in cats '“ people are being referred to Barby Keel because the other places can't take more in.

"If they close it is going to be even worse. We are going to be inundated with even more cats. How are we supposed to do it?

"We don't get any more money.

"We are going to be the only place rescuing cats in East Sussex and we won't be able to cope. We cannot take any more."

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Apart from cats, the Bexhill rescue centre is home to 400 other animals and birds of every variety, size and age, including seagulls, goats, pigs, horses, ferrets, peacocks, pigeons, rats and horses.

There are approximately 40 volunteers who share the load of caring, cleaning, feeding and tending to their daily needs.

Barby commented: "For every cat we can re-home we have got another four coming in. I even had a woman last week phone to say she had 30 cats to bring in and I had to say no. I just feel sorry for all the cats we can't take in '“ where are they going to go?

"These places need to stay open for the sake of the cats.

"Of course it is upsetting to have to say no, but there is no use us taking cats in and not being able to look after them ourselves. You can't just keep opening the door."

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Christine added: "I don't do too much of that, but it is very hard when someone says '“ if you don't take this cat, I will drown it, or if you don't take this cat, I will put it to sleep.

"You are suddenly responsible for their cat and if we haven't got the space, what can we do?

"I would like to remind people we are here, and we need money. We have so many cats but I'm hoping people reading this will think about our two male cats Oscar and Kra, who are three year old brothers '“ if anyone sees them they will fall in love with them, but them have been here seven months and are ready to go. We have lots to be rehomed."