News

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On Saturday 27th April we were delighted to hold the Spring Fair at our Rescue Centre as planned. From past experience we were fortunate that it was dry and at times even sunny which gave the event a lovely atmosphere.

Work started early that morning to put up gazebos and set out a variety of stalls all of which looked great and attracted much interest—and spending—when the gate opened at 2 O’clock. There were plants, raffle, tombola, bric à brac, gift stalls, cards and books and the ever-popular refreshment tent. Our Memorial Garden serves as a very peaceful spot to sit and watch proceedings and enjoy tea and homemade cakes. Throughout the day cattery staff kept an eye on the cats to ensure they were happy and well with all the visitors about.

We always enjoy inviting members, sponsors and visitors to Coombe Down on these occasions, when they have a chance to see the cats who are in need of a new home and to talk to those who care for them. As always, the Pavilion attracted lots of people wanting to sit with the older cats who are permanent residents with us. Most of them love the attention and welcome a lap if there is one on offer. Those cats who would rather be quiet have plenty of places to hide away for a sleep. (For details of the current Pavilion residents or if you would like to sponsor click here.)

My thanks to all who worked so hard to make the day the success it was and of course to the public who came to support us. We loved hearing about ‘our’ cats who are now in new homes and hope that those still with us will soon be as fortunate. Donations of cat food were also gratefully received and thanks also, to those who donated plants, cakes and good things to sell, all of which save or make us money.

With new cats coming and going all the time, the demands on our time, experience, resources and purse are never ending and we could not continue this work to the standard we do without everyone's help and support.

THANK YOU!

Lyn
CHAIRMAN

Mrs Janet Wallis will be opening her home at 317 Junction Road, Burgess Hill to display her artwork under the 'Burgess Hill Open Studios' scheme during the Burgess Hill Summer Festival.

Her house will be open on Saturdays and Sundays 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th June from 10.30am to 5.00 pm each day, entry is free but any donations made will be given to Paws & Claws.

More information 'Burgess Hill Open Studios'.

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We are very sad to report that Holly, one of our Pavilion residents was put to sleep on the 27th March. She would have been 26 in June but the time had come, and she went quickly and peacefully.

Holly was quite a character! Those who sponsored her, and visitors who came to our open days, were all struck by the youthful appearance and sprightly behaviour of this pretty, long-haired tortie & white who came to live in our Pavilion in November 2010 aged 23. Her owner could no longer keep her.

We soon found her to be very affectionate and she loved a lap, though the one thing she did NOT like was being groomed! We had to do that for her to keep her looking so beautiful.

Although she was in very good shape for her age, she slept more often, either in her favourite fleecy radiator bed indoors or a sledge she made her own in the garden where she loved to soak up the sun. As soon as she woke she was very vocal and always made it clear what she wanted!

Holly was the oldest cat we have ever had and we shall all miss her and her special ways. We plan to call the next kitten born at Coombe Down after her.

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We are delighted to report that two very popular ladies who were until recently residing in our Pavilion have now gone to a super new home and are reported to have settled in very well.

Helen and her sister Megan, both 17, came to us through an unfortunate sequence of events and spent some time living in our Pavilion but now have a home of their own to spend their twilight years.

They are both in good health and excellent condition with lovely temperaments and love attention.

Giving a home to an older cat can be very rewarding for all. If you would be interested to learn more please do get in touch.

Our Spring and Summer newsletters from last year are now available to download from the site.

Members who have joined recently may be interested to read about what was happening this time last year. Long-standing members, who receive the printed version, have the opportunity to view the newsletter in full colour.

They are in PDF format and download links can be found here.

Once again Jo Balchin set a challenging set of questions for us to ponder over the festive period. We had a record number of entries this year and the prize went to Linda Baker with an excellent score of 72.

If you would like to check how you fared we now have the answers online here.

Many thanks to all of you who make use of our affiliate marketing links particularly Amazon UK and VET-UK. The amount of money we raise through our Amazon link has increased every year and 2012 looks set to be another record.

For those unfamiliar with the concept all you need do when you want to shop with Amazon is to click one of the links on our website (such as on the top right) which will direct you to Amazon’s website. Provided you complete your purchase in that session then your visit will earn us a small commission.

This is all completely transparent to you as a shopper and will not of course cost you any extra. This is an easy way for you, your family and friends to support the charity.

We are happy to help with any concerns you may have so please feel free to email us via the Contacts page.

Any queries on affiliate links should be raised with Paws & Claws.

Members and sponsors of Paws and Claws were invited to Coombe Down for an afternoon of tea and cakes last Saturday. One hundred and eleven people of all ages came and were welcomed to see the cats and chat with those who care for them. They also had a chance to do some early Christmas shopping on our quality stalls, take part in the raffle and the Black Cat tombola where lovely prizes were won. Our own calendars and cards sold well and can still be obtained from the website and a number of events still to come this year.

After a week or more of heavy rain and strong winds we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day which enabled everyone to have a good look round and sit in our Memorial garden for a chat with a cuppa and home made cake. There was a steady stream of people looking in the Homing Blocks and hopefully some of the cats and kittens will have found new homes. The ever-popular Pavilion, which is the permanent home of our elderly cats, was also full of visitors and the residents were clearly enjoying all the attention they were getting. You can see them all on the Pavilion pages and if you would like to Sponsor them there is a form there to download.

A big thank you to all who were able to come and support us. It is always good to see you and hear about some of the cats you have adopted over the years. Outdoor events, especially this year have been a worry, with a number having to be cancelled, losing much needed funds for the running of our Rescue Centre, so we are grateful for your generosity during the afternoon.

My thanks also to all who made the day possible. The charity is run by volunteers, a number of whom were there all day setting up the event and the cattery staff , too, stayed on to help look after the cats. As always, our volunteer stall holders produced tempting displays of good things to buy and they, too, did a great job, as did the cake makers.

I think this photograph describes how we all felt after a very long but happy day. This very tired boy didn’t even get as far as his bed!

Lyn
CHAIRMAN

Our Competition, run in association with South Downs Nurseries, has now closed and we would like to thank everyone for submitting their pictures. The winners were announced at the South Downs Nurseries Family Fun Day by Lyn Basset, Chairman of Paws & Claws, who was the competition judge.

We received over 100 entries which is an amazing response and the standard was extremely high.

The winner was Michaela Graham-Hyde with her picture of Polo (left) who will receive 3 months supply of cat food plus a Paws & Claws book and a years membership.

The runner up prize goes to Andy Gasson with his picture of Alfie who receives a Paws & Claws book and years membership.

Special mention goes to Theresa Ellis (Toots), Mrs T Williams (Jessie), Frances Earnshaw (Starla) and Mrs Jeanne Cottingham (Max). They will each receive a Paws & Claws book.

Our grateful thanks to South Downs Nurseries. The winning entries can be seen on our competition page.

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..