Fundraising could save the lives of many cats

A Local woman who is looking after more than 140 cats has set up a fundraising campaign to help care for her cats.

Kathleen Irwin runs ‘ Kath’s Kitty Corner’ located close to Ballymote along with the help of her husband her mission statement is to ‘ make life better for cats’.

Recently Kathleen has had a rising bill of € 1500 in the vets and needs the public’s support.

More than 30 cats have already been neutered and with kitten season fast approaching, approximately 40 Cats still to be neutered.

Kathleen receives no funding and uses the money out of her own pocket to pay for vet bills as well as feeding and caring for the cats.

“I used to get the Government grant but that has stopped. There is too much red tape and not enough help and support to go about registering.” said Kathleen.

Kathleen has been running the shelter for more than 5 years and 140 cats call the acre of land their home.

It all started with kittens coming to her garden but located beside a busy road a number of them did not survive very long.

Kathleen decided she had to do something to help these ‘ souls’ and she set up an enclosure to foster cats from Sligo Animal Rescue and it was here ‘ Kath’s Kitty Corner was born’.

“I went from having 16 cats, it then shot up to 60 and I now have more than 140 cats” said Kathleen.

However without any funding she is hoping that the money from the fundraising campaign will prevent her from footing the vet’s bill. While the rescue centre takes a lot of time and effort, Kathleen believes she has a duty of care to follow.

“People keep asking me to take in kittens that they find or that they want to get rid of as well as stray cats.” explained Kathleen.

“But it is like any other rescue shelter you have to keep at it” she added.

Kath’s Kitty Corner is always open to volunteers who are willing to help out along with food donations.

“It has been hard to get volunteers, people aren’t too both- ered about cats, but any help would be greatly appreciated” said Kathleen.

If you are interested in helping Kathleen’s fundraising campaign you can find the go- fund me page at: www. gofundme. com/ vincents- tnr- fund

Rebecca Murtagh and Niamh Murtagh, both second years in Corran College are pictured at a “Redress Workshop” in Dublin which was organised by Worldwise Global Schools.

Kathleen Irwin has begun fundraising to care for cats.