Our very good friend and supporter Sharman Kaye and husband Walt, run a feral colony, up near the windmills above Thurlstone and Millhouse.

Sharman has written a letter, explaining a little about the colony and the work she and Walt do, in supporting us and other animal welfare organisations

 Hi, I am Sharman.

At the time of writing this letter, I have 8 cats living with me and a colony of 18 to 20 feral cats which I oversee. All but 4 of these feral cats have been spayed or neutered; I am still trying to trap these, so they can have the procedures carried out.

I helped to build up Royston Animal Welfare (RAW) some 15 years ago. There have been many ups and downs, but we managed, always to put the welfare of the animals we were caring for at the fore front.

Maureen, a true cat lover, along with husband Richard, my good friends, started Penistone Cat Rescue, as there were no other rescue centres in the near vicinity, caring for the needs and welfare of stray, unwanted and sick cats. They have gone from strength to strength, covering an area from Leeds in the North to Matlock in the south, Pontefract in the east to Halifax & Stockport in the west. I try as much as I can to help Maureen, whilst Maureen has found loving and caring homes for some of my cats who I thought would make someone a lovely pet and companion, but also giving the cat a chance of a good life. At times it can be very distressing caring for these needy cats, but it can also be very rewarding with the love and gratitude you receive back from a cat you have nursed back from the brink..........

To help bring in the funds Walt, my husband, grows all our own fruit & veg, so I then get to work making  jams, pickles & preserves. Having done design work most of my life, I also design and make my own greetings cards, for all occasions.

I took early retirement, so I could do what I am doing now, which is looking after old and sick cats, which sadly no one else wants. I would love one of Maureen’s kittens, but homes can always be found for those little bundles of fluff, but it’s a different story for the old boys.

I still do alot of fundraising for RAW and the other desperate animal welfare charities, when I am able to. If anyone is interested in buying any of my wares, I would be interested to hear from you. All proceeds will go to the charities mentioned.

I am now, unable to take in anymore cats, as introducing a new feral into the colony can create confrontation between the old and new cats. You could say that I am the last post for these cats.

If you can help us by coming along to any of our fund raising fairs, it would help us no end

Many Thanks

Love

Sharman K. 

 

Our thanks to Sharman and Walt. When we have a list of up to date fundraising events we will publish them on this site.