Charity sends out SOS (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Basingstoke cat charity feeling the pinch

12:00pm Monday 6th February 2012 in News By Joanne Mace

AN animal charity has appealed for more support after the tough economic climate sparked an increase in membership fees and adoption costs.

Cats Protection’s Basingstoke and District branch is part of the charity’s nationwide network of 257 volunteer-run branches and 30 adoption centres that together help more than 230,000 cats and kittens in the UK each year.

This year, the costs of membership has risen from £6 to £10 per year, and it will now cost £60 to adopt a cat instead of £50.

Branch co-ordinator Hilary Wells explained that Cats Protection is feeling the pinch in two main areas. As well as a drop in donations, the branch is also finding that cats are taking much longer to be rehomed.

Hilary said: “We understand that during tough times everyone has to tighten their belts. However, it is often during these times that we are at our most needy.

“As fewer prospective owners come forward to rehome cats, our running costs increase while our income from donations decreases. We would really be very grateful for more help in any way at the moment.”

One cat currently in need of a home is Mollie, who is about seven.

She is a friendly cat with a loud purr who loves to sit on a lap and enjoys being brushed, but doesn’t always want to be over-fussed.

Mollie has had an unsettled time over the last few years so she is looking for a quiet home without young children or other animals.

For someone looking for companionship, she has lots to offer.

For more information on Mollie, email the branch at adoptacat-basingstoke@hotmail.co.uk.

To make a donation to help the charity continue its vital cat welfare work in the area, call the branch on 01256 352281 or log on to basingstoke. cats.org.uk.