News

We have sadly lost three of our Pavilion residents

Whilst we are set up to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home unwanted cats and kittens we also have a heart for older cats who often find themselves alone with no one to love and care for them. For example when their owner has to go into nursing care or even dies.

We are occasionally able to re-home these cats but not everyone wants to take on an older animal. Our spaces are limited but these cats live with us for the rest of their lives and become very much part of the Paws & Claws Pavilion family.

We are always sad to lose one but know they had the happiest time with us, with everything they could possibly need. Fudge was with us for a happy four years. She was usually to be found in her favourite pod in the winter but in the summer loved to sleep in a trough in the garden, something she continued to do even after she went blind.

Charlie was 7 when the time came to put him to sleep on Christmas Eve. He was diagnosed with lymphoma when he came to us and we did not think he would be with us long but he has enjoyed a full and active 2½ years in the Pavilion and like Fudge, was popular with everyone.

Ella was only with us for 6 months. We reported her story when she arrived (see below). It is a joy to know this tiny cat had such fun playing with catnip mice and other toys and enjoying the comfort and freedom we offer. She was clearly delighted she could always have something to eat whenever she wanted and loved all the attention we gave her. Had she not been with us, she would have suffered a miserable end.

These lovely cats will be very much missed by all at Paws & Claws and our many visitors.

We are one of very few charities that provide a sanctuary like the Pavilion which is maintained by monthly donations from sponsors. You can read more here and see the resident cats in our care.

- 18th January 2012

Cats rehomed during 2011

We are pleased to announce the total figure of the cats we have been able to help find new loving homes during the past year.

• 86 adult cats
• 43 kittens
• 5 feral cats to rural outdoor homes
• Plus we reunited 2 cats with their owners

Our first day at Sainsburys - 20th October

We have just had our first day in the foyer of Sainsburys, Haywards Heath. As you can see from the photograph we set up a good stall to sell our Christmas cards, calendar and cards, etc and were pleased to make a good number of sales as well as receive generous donations in the collecting tin. A member of the shop staff kindly decorated a trolley for us which stood alongside to receive donations of cat food. We were delighted to receive quite a few cans, pouches and biscuits.

It was also an opportunity to promote our work and display boards were filled with posters all about us, the sponsorship scheme for our older and permanent residents in The Pavilion and general information about the importance of neutering and micro chipping cats. A list of cats in need of loving homes was also displayed and one or two people are planning to come to our next Homing Afternoon, and may hopefully give a cat a new home.

Members Afternoon on Saturday 15th October

It was good to welcome our members and sponsors to Coombe Down on October 15th and see them enjoying tea in our grounds.

After the torrential rain that soaked us on our Annual Open Day in July, the sunshine and a blue sky were a very welcome change.

As always, our faithful supporters turned out in force and enjoyed doing some early Christmas shopping on our quality stalls as well as spending time with the cats and having a cup of tea and home made cakes.

We were also delighted to welcome the management team from Sainsburys who were visiting the Rescue Centre for the first time since choosing to support us for a year, as their local charity.

We always enjoy an opportunity to chat with everyone and hear about 'our' cats in their new homes and the Pavilion Cats had a great afternoon with all the attention they got and plenty of laps to sit on.

Everyone was so generous, so a very big thank you for the many boxes of food donated and other useful items plus the many envelopes containing gifts of cash and cheques which all help us stay in business.

An event like this does not just happen, so my thanks also to a fantastic team who spent many hours tirelessly preparing the grounds and those who set up their stalls efficiently and beautifully. Not forgetting the volunteers who gave up their time to show people the cats and answer any questions. - Lyn, Chairman

Pictures from Members afternoon

Sainsburys chooses Paws & Claws to be their local charity partner

We have recently heard that Sainsbury's supermarket in Haywards Heath has chosen Paws & Claws to be their local charity partner. We were short-listed and made a presentation of our charity's work to the Sainsburys staff, who took the decision to support us until the end of April 2012.

We are yet to receive full details but we can say that you will be seeing us in their foyer once a month, where shoppers can learn more about our work and possibly become members or sponsors of the Pavilion Cats. We will also have collection days there and receive donations of cat food on that day. As a bonus they have offered to dedicate any in-store fund-raising to support the running of our Isolation Unit.

We are very proud to have been chosen by Sainsburys and very much welcome the opportunities they are giving us to increase awareness of our work within the local community.

Look for us in Sainsburys' foyer from 10am on these days: Wednesday 16th November and Wednesday 14th December.

We welcome a new lady to the Pavilion

Ella was found wandering the streets in a distressed condition and is now enjoying the comfort of the Paws & Claws Pavilion.

Read Ella's story and you can find out more about the Pavilion and our Sponsorship scheme here.

Tia's Ten Kittens reach their first Birthday

Photo reproduced by kind permission of the Mid Sussex Times. Photographer Steve Robards

Tia and her Ten Kittens - a year on (Read the full story). It was a momentous day when Tia gave birth to ten kittens at our Rescue Centre on the 20th July 2010.

We would love to hear how she and they are getting on, so if you adopted one of them do let us know how they are getting on or even send a photograph.

It was a unique occasion for us and they are very much part of our history so we would like to wish them a very happy first Birthday!

Now Available: Benny's Book, "My life as a Rescue Centre Cat."

This colourful book describes the running of the Paws & Claws Rescue Centre seen through the eyes of Benny, a resident cat with the run of the grounds. More about Benny who is sadly now deceased.

Filled with photographs to illustrate Benny's intimate involvement with the day to day workings of the charity. A 'must have' for all cat lovers and those interested in how we operate, especially those whom Benny met and greeted on their arrival at Coombe Down.

It also contains our history and details of the Sponsorship Scheme for our elderly resident cats in the Pavilion. An amusing account to read and keep as a memento. Or why not give one to a friend as a gift?

Available at our events for just £4.50 and through our online shop for £4.99 inc postage..