Cat volunteers say thanks for the help

Volunteers, from left, Jamie Degiorgio, Dannielle Boyes, Craig Hulme and Sally Fletcher of the Huddersfield Lost and Found group with some of the cats caught VOLUNTEERS rounding up a colony of 70 cats living on the streets in Huddersfield have praised people who have rallied round to help.

Members of cat protection groups have so far caught 17 of the cats living in the streets around Springwood – and are posting pictures of the felines on Facebook in a bid to reunite cats reported as missing with their owners.

Sarah Styles, administrator for the Huddersfield Lost and Found Pets Facebook page, had issued an appeal for donations of cat food, bedding and cat carriers, which people could leave at Vets4Pets on New Hey Road, Oakes. Since the Examiner reported on the round-up on Tuesday the surgery has been inundated with donations.

“We have been overwhelmed,” said Sarah. “It’s with donations of food and blankets. Top left, more of the donated goods and, below, our story on Tuesday about the round-up of the stray cats absolutely fantastic and we are so grateful. We’ve got 20 boxes of food pouches and four or five boxes of cat biscuits as well as bedding and harnesses. All we’re short of now is cat litter and litter trays for when the cats are in foster homes.”

Sarah said their campaign had received “celebrity” backing from none other than Felix, the Huddersfield Railway Station cat.

“We’ve had an email from Felix saying she would be sending some treats, so that’s great,” added Sarah.

“The Facebook page has been getting 10-plus new members a day asking us to keep an eye out for their missing pets.

“We have a rehoming site called Homes for Kittys Huddersfield, which has a link to a Ferals HD1 page where people can view all the pictures of the cats caught to see if they recognise any.”

Go to www.facebook.com/ catsforhomeshuddersfield A DEWSBURY man has been sentenced after assaulting his partner.

Michael Gibson, 42, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He pleaded guilty to the assault at their home in Chapel Close on December 6. He also admitted assaulting a seven-year-old child on the same date.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay a £30 fine, £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.