Clay County Cat Care Cat Rescue, Cornwall

I have a very close attachment to this cat rescue shelter and I hope to do a good job of explaining to you why they matter so much to me!

Firstly, if you love Cat's as much as I do you will know that being surrounded by so many of them under one roof is both rewarding but also very sad! To spend time with the cats means you get to enjoy a great deal of affection and the sound of a purring cat contented with your strokes has a very calming effect but equally, because they are so loving they all deserve a lovely life with a loving family.

Yet Cats and Kittens are one of the most commonly abused, dumped and surrendered house pets so to see so many waiting for their forever homes is very upsetting but this is what the team at Clay County Cat Care deal with every day, including the most emotional time of year; Christmas.

There are lots of cat rescue shelters here in Cornwall so why did I choose to support Clay County? Well, across all the beneficiary shelters we support, (with the odd exception), we support home-spun and small organisations who are not blessed with lots of benefactors such as the RSPCA. Beyond their basic facilities, you will be hard pressed to meet are more passionate advocate for saving the lives of cats and kittens than their founder, Leanne!

Leanne is not an apologist for loving cats more than she does humans. She is not an apologist for not having the smartest or best presented shelter and she very rarely 'shouts' about the shelters successes instead choosing to press on with getting the remaining cats well and adopted. For me and her team, worryingly she puts the welfare of her rescues before her own welfare which has been severely tested but thankfully, she is supported by an amazing team of volunteers.

Clay County Cat Care is located in a region called St Austell which is famed for the excavation of the clay that has been shipped globally around the world but has long gone past its best days. Now an area that despite the nearby scenic coastline, is suffering financial hardship. As a result, it has a number of improper 'cat breeders' who have absolutely no regard for the welfare of the cats and kittens and dump them if they don't sell them or the Mother develops health issues. Others who come into difficult times will also unnecessarily dump kittens and cats. Of course, many good people who come into difficult times will do the right thing and surrender their cat to Clay County.

It should also be pointed out about this organisation that where possible, they will help and support their local community with assistance with pet food and basic veterinary procedures in order that folk can still keep their cats with them.

Across an average year they re-home in excess of 200 cats and kittens. Many of the kittens will have been hand reared due to the loss of a Mother. The emotional bond created with all the team to a hand reared kitten is enormous but when the time comes, couldn't be happier to see a kitten being adopted into its new loving forever home.

I have described an organisation that is so similar to animal rescues all around the world. Surviving sometimes week to week, emotionally drained, suffering losses at the passing of a poorly cat or kitten, taking abuse from the general public but yet, still turn up, day after day to selflessly give to their rescue residents and be embarrassed at being told they are amazing!

(The photo above is of Eden. A kitten dumped behind bushes with her siblings. I am holding her in my hands and I felt her look was one of; "why would someone dump me"? Sadly she passed a few days after this but she will always be a little mascot to Freddies Friends and a reason to keep going)

If you are local to Clay County Cat Care get in touch and see how you can help. They need all the help they can get!