Woodside appeals for help to keep the rain at bay

Elfordleigh-based Woodside Animal Sanctuary, is home to over 450 cats each year, the majority finding new homes.

In order to be able to help so many cats, the sanctuary has three different catteries, along with four special care cat units for residents. Now one of the catteries is in desperate need of a new roof before the start of the kitten season, which is traditionally around April.

Woodside founder Carole Bowles said: “Our outside cattery is suffering from a leaky roof. Sadly not just in one spot but many as the current roofing is long overdue replacement.”

The cattery, affectionately known as ‘The Cottage Block’ is a wooden building, which currently has a bitumen corrugated roof. This will be replaced by galvanised roof sheeting, which has a much longer lifespan.

Carole added: “The cattery is predominantly used in the warmer months, but given that both demand for cats to come in is still high and that we are currently helping many feral and stray cats, it is likely that it will be used, although to a lesser extent, throughout the winter too. It has 22 pens so in the busy period with kittens, it can house over 50 cats.”

”The cattery is a great help when in kitten season and often houses many litters of kittens, so it is essential that we are able to raise funds for a replacement roof before the season comes around again.”

The total cost of the project is £6,850 and the sanctuary is appealing for donations or for help from businesses.

To donate visit http://easydonate.org/CATROOF

Donations can also be made by text. Contact Woodside for details on 01752 347503.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust in Elfordleigh has received a donation of £350 from Freemasons in Paignton.

A cheque was presented to kennel supervisor Cora Harvey by Phil Greenway, charity steward of Courtland Lodge in Paignton and David Froud, both of whom own rescue dogs themselves. The funds will be used to purchase dog food at a time when Woodside has the highest number of animals in their care since before the pandemic.

Woodside is currently caring for nearly 200 animals on site, involving 14 different species. The charity’s founder Carole Bowles said the the increase in the number of animals being cared for was ‘very worrying’ and was most likely due to the cost of living crisis.

She also said the rising number of small and large animals at the shelter is one of their biggest concerns as they count for over half the number of intakes. She also said from the sanctuary’s own experience, and from looking at national statistics, rabbits continue to be one of the most neglected pets.