There are usually around 15 cats living in the Pavilion. These are older and more difficult to home cats who are able to spend the rest of their lives with us. Some do find homes and four have been happily rehomed this year.
Fudge is one of our permanent residents. She is 18 and went blind whilst with us, so knows her way around. Last year a couple who sponsor came to visit on Open Day bearing gifts of catnip mice which Fudge spent a long time playing happily with way after everyone had gone home.
A sponsorship scheme is run to help with the upkeep and care of the Pavilion Cats (see sponsorship page). You can sponsor an individual cat or the whole group and will receive a certificate and photograph plus quarterly Paws & Claws newsletters.
If you would like to be a sponsor please contact us via the website or by ringing Lyn, the sponsorship secretary on 01444 459464
Annual Open Day 2011
Sunday 17th July
Our thanks to Lyn & Mandy for the pictures above
From our Chairman
We have come to expect sunny weather for the annual Open Day, and since our first one at Coombe Down in 2006 we have been very fortunate. This year the mould was broken: It rained heavily.
So much work had gone into the preparations and not wanting to let our supporters down, we went ahead anyway. I cannot describe the feeling when just before 2 o'clock people started to pour into our grounds (literally!) Our faithful members and supporters, of all ages, paddled along the path in all their wet weather clothing, clearly determined to enjoy all that was on offer. I am overwhelmed by the spirit and generosity of those who came. Standing out of doors with a slice of cake and rain dropping into a cup of tea is not everyone's idea of fun but our takings on the day proved how much people felt our work was worth supporting and am constantly touched and amazed by such generosity - and especially in such conditions.
Those who had stalls did their utmost to present their wares despite the appalling conditions and should not be disappointed with what they raised, albeit less than anticipated had the weather been fine. However good it would have been in the sunshine, I was just as delighted to greet and talk to everyone I could during the afternoon and hear all about their cats.
Unfortunately the band could not play for safety reasons with their electrical equipment. We know how popular they always are but the star he is, Raye Du Val played on a smaller drum kit and Jo Kimber, a lovely lady singer, entertained us for a short while. Our sincere thanks to them and we look forward to enjoying them to full next time.
Homing cats has been very slow since the first two or three months of the year. We expect it to be quiet in July and August but this problem has given us cause for concern. The waiting list has now grown again with cats urgently needing to come in and having to wait for an empty pen. We were thrilled that three were reserved on the day and are now starting new lives. Please consider giving a cat a home if you possibly can. They are with us through no fault of their own and deserve a safe and happy future with loving owners. Please see our Homing Page for more information.
It says a great deal about Paws & Claws, the staff, volunteers, stallholders and visitors, that in true British spirit the show went on. The feedback has been that folk loved seeing the cats and were delighted with all the good bargains they bought. The Pavilion Cats were even more popular than ever, though I suspect partly because it meant people could spend time indoors out of the rain with them! Most of them enjoyed all the attention but as always were very happy to have their tea and a sleep after all the excitement. Topsy (25) and Holly (24), the oldest two, seemed to take it all in their stride. More information on the Pavilion
Lyn Basset, Chairman