Crunch time for cat refuge

10:30am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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PET-OWNERS who are feeling the financial bite of the credit crunch are leaving a North Yorkshire cat sanctuary struggling to cope.

Jackie Bower has run Black Cat rescue at North Duffield, near Selby, for the last seven years, but is now having to deal with a bigger influx of unwanted animals than she has ever seen before.

With money tight at the shelter in Back Lane, which provides care for cats from York and Selby who are either brought in by their owners or simply dumped, Jackie is facing a daily battle to provide enough food for pets housed there.

It has forced her to reluctantly stop taking in any more cats until new homes can be found for those she currently looks after – leading to an appeal for pet-lovers to help ease the pressure. Jackie, who works four days a week as well as caring for the cats single-handedly, believes the UK’s shaky financial state has much to do with the unprecedented increase.

Earlier this year, The Press revealed how the RSPCA and pet shelters across York were being swamped with calls from desperate and cash-strapped owners.

“It’s definitely a sign of the times that there are so many unwanted cats being turned out of their homes,” said Jackie.

“The shelter is bursting at the seams and some cats don’t even have a bed of their own at the moment. We simply don’t have the time, space or funds to look after any more, and I’m sure much of it is down to people not feeling they can afford to keep them.

“For example, one cat came to me after he had been living in a tree in the Coppergate Centre in York because his family threw him out. I don’t want to be in that position again.”

The centre was on the brink of closure due to a cash shortage last year before receiving a reprieve, but life remains tough following a “crippling” winter electricity bill and soaring fuel prices. Jackie’s husband, Warwick, is now unable to help her due to ill-health.

She is now pleading for help in the shape of both donations and new homes for her extended feline family in an attempt to safeguard the sanctuary’s future. “This is making life very difficult for me and we need to get numbers down to a physically and financially manageable level – finances are pretty dire and we are scraping by on a day-to-day basis for cat food and litter,” said Jackie.

“But I’m very particular about who I choose to give new homes to the cats. I want to be 100 per cent sure they will be loved and safe for the rest of their lives.”

To make a donation, volunteer to help Black Cat Rescue or to offer a cat a home, phone Jackie on 01757 289435.