Arran Cat Rescue fills void left by national charity branch

An independent cat welfare charity called Arran Cat Rescue has been established following the closure of the Arran branch of the national charity Cats Protection.

The new cat rescue organisation, started in August last year, will now prepare to tackle all of the rescue work previously done by the island branch. This includes re-homing stray and lost cats and kittens, neutering, micro-chipping, helping to reunite lost cats and their owners, TNR work (trap neuter and return of feral cats, including vaccination and vet treatments) and offering advice on cat welfare and general cat ownership.

A spokesperson from Arran Cat Rescue said: ‘To leave the island without any cat rescue support was beyond our comprehension as it was for many Scottish islands and mainland branches who have suffered the same fate. As those other areas have started their own rescues, we too felt compelled to do so. Thus, Arran Cat Rescue started with the three people from the closed island branch of Cats Protection. Since then our number of volunteers has grown to 12 which is a fantastic start to a small island cat rescue group.

‘We have been lifted by the response of people who have been coming forward to help whether it’s to transport goods, foster cats or to take cats to the vets, as well as the amazing response in providing homes.

‘We have also been incredibly fortunate that people have been generous in helping with donations of food, equipment and funds to do this work.

‘As a small cat rescue, we have no staff salaries or building expenses so every penny received is for the cats and all cats are supported, both feral and domestic.’ The work required to rescue cats on Arran is both labour intensive, when relying on volunteers, and costly. So, the organisation is appealing for donors who might wish to support cat welfare on Arran.

The spokesperson added: ‘We continue to need your help. If you currently donate to a cat rescue organisation then please consider us, an independent cat rescue that is based locally and that supports the welfare of cats on Arran. We are here on the island to help the cats, both feral and domestic, and will continue to do so. Be assured every penny goes towards cats on Arran.’

Further information on the work Arran Cat Rescue undertakes, along with contact details and information on how people can help, can be found on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IsleofArranCats