Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre thanks supporters for donations which helped them care for over 600 animals in 2020

Staff at the Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre, in Chalder Lane, rescued and cared for 621 animals last year – and managed to rehome 589 in their forever homes.

Throughout the pandemic staff have continued to look after the animals in their care and in June, after making sure the centre was Covid-safe, they started to rehome their furry friends.

However, the centre’s three charity shops, which are one of its main sources of income, were closed for most of last year and fundraising events had to be cancelled, which put a strain finances.

Laura Crickmore, animal care admin officer, said staff at the centre were grateful to supporters for their donations through online fundraising events – and for the massive amounts of gifts which have been purchased through its Amazon Wish List.

She said: “It is all thanks to the supporters of the centre who donate to keep it running that animals like this are given a second chance at life and are able to find their forever home.”

One case from 2020 which stands out for staff was when three grey kittens were found in the middle of a field without their mother.

Laura said: “When the kittens were found they were newborn and possibly premature which is why their mother may have abandoned them.

“They were so cold that just a few more hours and they would have died, and they were also covered in fly eggs.”

The staff had to act quickly to get them cleaned off, warmed up and fed.

Laura said: “Handraising kittens is not an easy job and requires around the clock care – in the beginning kittens need feeding at least every two hours.

“Those first few weeks were crucial but thanks to the dedication of the staff they all survived.”

Luckily not all the animals that come to The Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre need as much round-the-clock care as the kittens, but some do and they were not the only ones last year.

To find out more about the Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre and support its work visit www.crrc.co.uk

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