KAYS HILL CATTERY NOW HAS A ROOF

can you imagine getting pickle, lilly, toggle or paddy the pigs to not eat all the cake and scones in record time? i can’t!! what about i bring an alapaca or two, that would be fun. don’t worry, the nearest we have to rats at the moment are some very old gerbils, i won’t be bringing them. how about two netherland dwarf rabbits, very pretty and better behaved than pigs!!

So sorry Asterix missed out, here’s hoping he/she doesn’t have to wait too long for another chance and hoping that Carrot has taken to her new life now and abandoned the cattery. It’s a real shame you didn’t have any duckegg blue for the duckhouse, but I’m sure they’ll appreciate lilac anyway. You’re such a busy bee! I hear the baby bunnies are being homed quickly so I’m wondering who or what you will bring to the coffee morning this Thursday, I well remember the white rat, George was it, who came to the first one, he liked my chocolate cake if I remember rightly. Please don’t be tempted to bring his descendant as rats are a bit out of favour with your hostesses at the moment. I wish there was room for you to bring one of those piggy-porkers, I’d really have liked to see Jenette’s face then.

unfortunately we hav’nt rehomed any cats this week but in the last 2 days we have rehomed 6 rabbits. a volunteer put into the local papers that we had a quite a few rabbits to be rehomed, the publicity did the trick, all families were really nice and all bunnys will have the run of gardens etc, so good news for bunnies this week.

unfortunately the lady who was coming to see Asterix has emailed to say she has taken on a deaf cat so cannot take Asterix too. i’m obviously pleased that this poor deaf cat has found a home but sad that Asterix is still with us. Carrot our little ‘feral’ cat was taken into the feral unit and was released today, with the hope that she would finally realise that outside is fun. she came out of the feral unit and made her way straight back to the cattery and jumped into her pen, sat there looking at me until i got her some food and water, she ate and drank her fill and laid down in her bed quite happy. i don’t know what to think, does she want to stay inside forever? if that was the case do we try to rehome her? even though she is’nt happy about being handled. i think we’ll just have to wait and see.
i’ve just spent an hour or so painting our duckhouse a very fetching shade of lilac. we have had a lot of half tins of paint given so we can’t be picky, it does look pretty with the sun shining on it. the ducks have yet to comment on their newly painted home.

maybe thats what we need barbara, a bit of divine intervention, everyone get your prayer mats out and pray that little frightened gerty finally finds a kind soul who will look past her nervous habits and realise that all she needs is time, patience and lots and lots of unconditional love. i can feel it in my bones that the special person we need is just around the corner. yes she is very nervous and yes she would probably take quite some time to settle into a new home and maybe she’ll never become a lap cat that will be happy to sit on someones knee. BUT she is a traumatised little cat, who has been treated so badly by people, who can blame her when she won’t readily trust us wicked humans who have hurt her so much already. only time will show how much she will be willing to trust again. come on everyone, send your prayers out for gerty, she really does need that person (or people) who will take her on, problems and all and just love her and let her come around in her own time at her own pace so as not to frighten or traumatise her any further. we know she makes herself ill when stressed and that special one will have to take all of that on board too. i’ve got tears rolling down my face at the thought of that frightened little cat who would like to be friends but is just too scared. we NEVER have any animal pts just because they have been with us for a while but surely gerty deserves a home and family of her own, we cannot give her what a forever home could give her. the day gerty goes to her new home i’ll have the flags out!! everyone please remember to think of gerty and wish that someone to her.

Brilliant work in finding Etty a new home, I hope she behaves herself and has a long and happy life there, she deserves a bit of good luck. Best wishes also to Asterix, keeping my fingers well crossed there too. Now, if anyone up there is listening please send a special someone to take Gertie home and love her.

yes etty and gerty were two of the abandoned cats, gerty really needs a special home with very special people i know they are out there somewhere, we just need to find them.

Man thats the best news that Etty has got a home as isnt she the grumbly one of those abandoned cats.
Were rooting for Gerties turn next and I bet its only a matter of time because you do so much rehoming its great.
Good old Kays Hill
Ed and Mrs Ed keeping her beady eye on me

etty has gone off to a new home and her new life starts today!! she has gone to live with a couple, their son and 3 other cats, so as long as she behaves herself, she’s got a home for life, finally. all we have to do now is find a very understanding friend for gerty and then all of the abandoned cats have found new homes and they can all forget about the last months and enjoy life, possibly for the first time ever. its a good day. we also have someone coming to see asterix on thursday after the person who wanted him previously never came back for him, so hopefully this is a new start for poor asterix too.

well we’ve had a slightly better week for rehoming this week. 3 guinea pigs, 2 rabbits and 1 cat (hopefully 2). henry, a georgeous b/w short haired little fella has just gone off to his new home today to live with 2 cat loving golden retriever dogs, its a country home so eventually he’ll be able to roam his new families fields without being in danger or causing any problems, ie with neighbours or being near a busy road, and just enjoy all the good things in life. the other cat i hope has got a new home is our etty. unfortunately her hoped for home has fallen through, no-ones fault, but today a couple have been in and really like etty, they say they are coming back tomorrow. watch this space!! at the moment we have a lovely little dutch rabbit at the vet with an abcsess on his tooth, kevin is there now, hopefully its good news for poor thumper, its a back tooth and it can be difficult. we hope silka, our vet, has been able to sort it out. while at the vet silka asked if we could take in a lovely big b/w tom cat. he had been found straying, taken to the vet, checked for a chip, he had one so his owner was phoned. the vets were told that this mans daughter had been given the money to have the cat pts, she decided to keep the money and dump the cat, the owner didnt want him back!! he’s with us now, we’ve called him marcus, he’s a very handsome fella and i hope he wont be with us long, but of course being b/w he may be overlooked, they are sometimes. sophie, one of our ‘feral’ cats is feeling much better, she developed an abcsess on the side of her face, she’s been on antibiotics and the area is dry and healing well so she’ll soon be able to go wandering around our fields with the other cats again. we’ve almost got all the pens down one side of the cattery built and we are hoping in the next week or two to have the cats moved into their new accomodation. many thanks to babz and ruth for bringing a car load of things for the jumble sale tomorrow. we leave the jumble sale in the capable hands of our good friend doreen, who has the reputation of being able to sell ANYTHING!! we will be heading off to the hall tonight to set the jumble sale up with doreen and then we just leave her to it. she’s another cat lover who is working hard to get our new cattery up and running, without our core of dedicated volunteers and fundraisers we could’nt keep going. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, i always worry we don’t say thank you enough to people who put themselves out to help us, we always appreciate any help anyone gives.

thanks barbara, i’m not at all bright when it comes to computers, most things in fact, so this pasting and stuff just confuses me. i stick to what basics i know and try not to push my boundries. its safer for all concerned in the end. i once tried to send a document to someone and ended up sending the entire file to someone who was by now rather confused at all this stuff she was getting. i rest my case! i have managed to send an email off to pam to say thank you. (at least i think i have)

Leanne I’ve copied your post and pasted it to the Kays Hill Facebook page so that people on the group can read your lovely words of thanks. I’d like to add my thanks to Michael as well for his part in the fundraising.

the cheque arrived today michael, again thank you for all you do for us, it is much appreciated. and many, many thanks to those who have donated to us, every donation means such a lot to the sanctuary and helps us to continue what we are trying to do here. everyone who has anything at all to do with rescue will understand that vet bills, feed bills and general day to day ‘keeping going bills’ never stop coming in and the help we get with your donations is enormous.
THANK YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH.

we hav’nt rehomed any cats this week at all, which is always disapointing. henry is at the vet being neutered, he’ll be back later. its been a quiet week with everything to be honest. although we have just rehomed one of our baby bunnies (10 weeks old) an albino with very floppy ears, smallest of the bunch and cute as a button. she’s gone to live with ruth who we have known for a while and know bunny will have a fantastic life. tux, a large b/w tom cat, has been showing his feelings for us this week, ie NOT HAPPY. he has bitten and scratched everyone who has being seeing to him, all apart for me actually, maybe i just hav’nt given him the chance! gerty is fine now, it seems that this ‘virus’ is lying dormant and only ‘comes out’ when she is stressed, we really don’t know what to do because obviously at first she will be stressed going to a new home, but hopefully once she settles down and becomes calmer she’ll be well but the worry obviously is that she wont calm down and settle into a new home, she’s had so many traumas in her life already, what if she can’t take any more change. i suppose we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. well once again we are without a van, this time permanently. while out this morning, kevin had a frightening experience. the engine started racing and he could’nt slow the van down or stop it and just had to steer through the traffic until he could cut through oncoming cars to get onto some waste land and finally stop the van, however the engine did’nt stop (even after the key had been turned and removed) and smoke and flames where billowing out of poor lloyd (the van) someone phoned the fire brigade, it was all very dramatic!! anyway, once again we have no wheels. kevin is ok so thats the main thing. we have had a bit more work done in the new cattery this week, colin, kevins son, has been doing some bricklaying, kevins back went off last week and he has’nt been able to do any, so another couple of pens have been all but finished, kevins painting in there now. we are looking forward to our coffee morning that babz and ruth are organising, they are always good. if we still have any baby bunnies when it comes around i will probably take a couple. we always take animals of some description. and i have to make an easter bonnet, oh dear, i dread to think what it’ll look like!!

forgot to say ed, yes gerty is much better and is eating like a pig!!

yes ed gerty is also gimpy, weird name, gerty sounds better i think. i keep my peep toe wellies for best, you know, church and such!! daphne (mrs ed) has all my sympathy having to put up with your sense of humour, is her hair grey with you? i would’nt be at all surprised HAHA. the duck is still on top of the stables, she seems happy just walking backward and forwards, you’ve got to think, she’s got a corking view of the dale up there, and it is a very nice day, she’ll be able to see for miles!!

Good to read all your news man you are really kept busy and never a dull moment.
Is Gerty the one who is Gimpy as well its a funny name Gimpy I hope shes alright now and gets a home.
I wonder if you should climb up after ducks in your peeptoe wellies roflol
Mrs Ed sends regards and says pity her Im home for the weekend but she doesnt mean it she loves me really.
Ed

crystal has since gone to her new home, they are a lovely family who will give her all the love and affection even crystal could want. when she finally got the collar off, which had stopped her chewing her stitches, she went crazy! silke, our vet, had called in on her way home to give crystal her last check up before she was rehomed, so we were in the office and crystal ran wild on the desk, jumped all over the computer, not that she could do it any harm, the trouble we’re having with it at the moment. she investigated every nook and cranny of the office, knocked pens, pencils and everything else onto the floor, when she got bored of that she came to me and bit me. i think she thought we were talking too much and not paying her enough attention. i have warned her new family that they’ll have their hands full with that one!! ollie, our all ginger queen has now been allowed to roam around the site at will. we kept her inside for a while until the other cats got used to her and she realised where food and safety were. she came out for the first time yesterday and would’nt come back for anyone else. i was out doing a collection so was’nt back till almost 6pm, she came straight to me and i showed her how to get back inside, then she seemed happy enough. she’s been in and out all day today, so i think she’s figured it out for herself now, i don’t have to keep showing her. she was supposed to be very aggressive, but has’nt shown any aggression at all, she’s a lovely cat. tipsy and sophie, who she is sharing the ‘feral’ unit with dont seem to mind her or her them, but jess, who dos’nt use the unit, keeps stalking poor ollie, until ollie realises where jess has her ‘patch’, she’ll keep being menaced. etty is still with us, for now. the man who wants her had unfortunately had to go back into hospital, but he is definite he still wants her, so we hope he soon is well enough to take her home. gerty almost had a new home, but it was’nt to be. she came down with a virus, which can be caused by stress, gerty is the worlds most nervous cat, and any handling upsets her. she went straight to the vet and had treatment and is fine, another check up in a day or so, but in the meantime the couple had gotten a cat elsewhere. it just was’nt the right time or home for gerty, this time. we won’t give up on her, the right home is out there somewhere, with a fireside and comfortable lap just waiting for her. i’m off to try and get the duck down off the stable roof, i’m not sure if she dos’nt want to come down or just cant figure out how to get down. as i’m typing i can see one of the geese walking backwards and forwards along the seesaw (part of kevins old dog agility equipment) he is just making it move up and down as he goes along and then turns back to walk along it again, obviously finds this very amusing. crazy animals.

i’ve just had the vets on the phone. when kevin went to the surgery to pick crystal up yesterday afternoon, a man was in the queue behind kevin. after kevin left the man was asking all about crystal, his mams cat was pts recently and she was thinking about getting a kitten. the vets have vouched for the family, all their animals are very well looked after, so they rang to ask if a home had been found for her yet, if not they want to adopt her. great news!!!!

I’m glad Crystal came through the op OK, she’s very lucky to have ended up at Kays Hill and I bet you soon find her a lovely home.

crystal the kitten is back with us safe and sound. unfortunately for her she has to wear an elizabethan collar because she just won’t leave those stitches alone. she’s starting to figure out that she needs to lift her head to get out of the litter tray, she keeps getting stuck!! she’s eating well and is very bright and still enjoys a cuddle. she’s back at the vets next thursday, apparently everyone in the vets loved her, well she is a little sweety.

have just rehomed little kit, a lovely little black cat, to a very nice man who has never had a cat before, only ever had dogs. but he has decided to have a cat after his old dog was pts some months ago, he said he hated the house being so empty when he comes home from work. kit was only too happy to be fussed and is off to a great new home for the rest of his life. rehoming is picking up again, hooray!

crystal is at the vets now having her op for an umbilical hernia, we have to pick her up this afternoon, hopefully all will be well. before she went this morning i had a little play session with her, she is a little monkey. loves to nibble your fingers. but she also loves a cuddle, she purred and purred and just seemed curious as i put her in her carrier and into the van. she was sticking her paws through the door of the carrier at kevin as he got into the van, apparently every time he changed gear she tried to attack his hand. can’t wait to get her back safe and sound. but i know she’s in good hands, its just she’s so little!!

on our other page ‘kays hill plea for help’ the top poster by ruth, bottom left hand corner is a pic of duke, you can’t see his gammy leg though.

no, dotty was the mother to billy-bob and billy-ben, white face texell x. you mean duke, the wensleydale tup with a very bent front leg, caused, our vet thinks, by it being broken when he was a lamb, as he got older it became more and more deformed, he is also ‘club’ footed. he has meds from the vet to take in his food when he needs it, he gets arthritic at times. but he’s usually fine with it. he’s about 7yrs now and we probably won’t get a lot of years out of him with his health problems, but while he is happy to carry on we are happy to look after him. duke is a real fusspot, he kicks the fence with his gammy leg until we give him treats and he loves a cuddle. we love duke!!

R.I.P Dotty.
I’m so sorry Leanne I know how much you love all the creatures at Kays Hill. Was she the sheep with the funny leg ?
We were so impressed today at the progress in the cattery, what a lot of hard work you do up there !
Thank goodness the weather has turned a bit better for you.

stripes a beautiful black and white tom has been rehomed this afternoon, he was going later in the week but kathryn came for him early. our sad news is that dotty, our oldest sheep, has died in her sleep. she was approx. 16 yrs old and the nicest natured sheep, she loved being petted and fussed and i’m pleased to say that she died peacfully when we found her, laid in her bed, she looked so peaceful. i know some people don’t think of sheep as pets, but dotty was a beauty. we’ll miss her. thanks to babz and ruth for all the pet food, etc. they brought up this afternoon. as always, we appreciate all you do.

we rehomed a lovely little torti & white cat, sweepy, yesterday to a lovely couple who just want a cat to love and make a fuss of. what cat could want more? sweepy laid in the lady’s arms, upside down, like a baby and just loved all the fuss. the couple fell in love with her straight away. asterix, a nervous black and white tom, is going to his new home in the next week. his new friend just needs to sort a couple of things out at home and asterix will be off to his new life with a very nice man. etty’s new owner-to-be has had to go back into hospital so her rehoming has been delayed, but he still wants her when he is back home. we have a georgeous little tabby kitten, who kevin had to pick up on saturday night, about 8pm. she was’nt wanted by her previous owner and when kevin got her back here we found out, maybe, the reason why. she has a large umbilical hernia. she is now booked into the vet for 8.30am tomorrow for her op. we’ve called her crystal, well i have. so hopefully it wont be long before little crystal is well and in a new home. she’s a sweet little thing, full of mischief.

It sounds a nightmare up there ! It’s bad enough here, people can’t stay upright for the black ice but ten times worse for you having to work outside !
Fancy someone turning cats out in this weather !
Roll on Spring.

its been a horrible week. the cold is almost unbearable at times, as if its biting your face off!!!! but to make matters so much worse we’ve had no electric for three days and nights. the electricians have been here trying to find the problem, which of course turned out to be a cable underground. trying to dig in ground that is so frozen its like concrete proved to be a bit difficult, so we’ve had to have a new cable put in, and yesterday afternoon, finally, we had electric again. no electric of course meant no lights, heating or anything else for that matter. trying to keep everyone as warm as possible was hard. the cats all had hot water bottles. the weather dos’nt seem to be improving at all, its seems to be set in for a while anyway. its seems to be one step forward and three steps back sometimes, although at the moment its not really steps we’re taking, we just seem to slide and skid everywhere. earlier today we had a visitor and both me and kevin tried to walk down the ramp at the stables to go and see the man, we both started to slip, grabbed the gate to stay upright, and our feet were just going 50 to the dozen while we tried desperately not to fall over in front of this man who did’nt smile, laugh or anything. we both felt like a right pair of wallys. kevin is trying to get more bits done on the cattery, but to be honest its just too cold at the moment. we’ve had two new cats brought in today, both strays, no microchips, collars or anything to identify them. both seem like nice cats so hopefully it wont be long before they’re in new homes, if their owners don’t come forward of course. i’m pleased they came today and not before, at least we now have the heaters back on.

Man it must be bad out there you poor things I hope you get lots of hot drinks and a good dinner after all your work.
Ed

oli the ‘very aggressive’ cat has settled in really well in the feral unit and has been quite friendly with me. she can eat two tatties more than a pig!! she dos’nt mind having the other ferals around her, she’s shown no aggression to them at all. i think she’s going to be fine, even with her dodgy eye and limp i still think she’s beautiful. she enjoys a pet and a fuss, so she’s not all bad. bless her cotton socks. yesterday was a bit of a trial, i was pleased to get home really and snuggle up with my 4 cats and 2 dogs. kevin has been out buying wood for door frames, etc., in the cattery, i can hear him clattering away with wood and goodness knows what else. i forgot to say, yesterday morning he decided to do a bit more bricklaying but had to stop when the cement kept freezing. roll on springtime!!

Yes we thought about you up there, it was bad enough out in our back garden yesterday feeding the birds. We can’t keep up with them at present, they sit looking in the window as soon as they’ve eaten all we put out.
To have 300 + animals and birds to care for must be a huge task at any time let alone in snow blizzards.
I honestly don’t know how you find homes for so many older cats, I admire you and Kevin very much !

We were thinking about you yesterday when the snow started and the wind was blowing it horizontal, it must have been a nightmare coping with it all, glad you got safely home and Kevin back to base, at least it’s a bit better today, it felt quite warm and springlike this morning so hopefully the snow won’t last long. You’re still doing miracles with rehoming cats!Hoping Suzie and Etty are soon in their new homes and Oli takes to her new life.

saturday 4th feb. started out very bright, blue skies,dry but also very chilly. when i went to the top fields to feed and water i looked up the dale, you can usually, on a clear day, see right up the dale, yesterday however the dale was in a white-out. this is going to be bad i thought. by lunch time the snow had started, within an hour you could barely see your hand in front of your face. thankfully yesterday was a day when we had a few helpers. rabbits and guinea pigs were quickly cleaned out, fed and watered (after defrosting the water bottles), and locked away. by this time the taps had all frozen, luckily the taps in the cattery were still working, the heating was on high in there, so all water had to be carried in buckets to wherever needed. the snow fell thicker and thicker in no time at all. i phoned colin, the farmer where we get our hay, etc. from to ask if he could possibly get a delivery to us, he’s a good man, he never charges us delivery and usually gives us some money back, he arrived within the hour and could’nt believe how bad it was, he dos’nt live far away and he said it was definately at least one overcoat colder here than at his farm!! between us all we managed to get all animals safely fed, watered and put away for the night. even our ‘feral’ cats were nowhere to be seen, all tucked up in the ‘feral’ unit in their cosy beds. went around checking on everyone to make sure they were all ok in the bad weather, the cats in the cattery barely lifted their heads to me when i spoke to them, they all had full tummys and cosy blankets and beds, with the heating on full, the weather could do as it pleased, as long as the door was shut tight when i left, they really didnt care. we decided kevin was going to have to take me home early as the weather was showing no sign of getting any better any time soon, we made it most of the way, but i had to get out and walk when we thought he was’nt going to get back home if we left it any longer. i phoned him when i got home and he’d only just got back up the very steep bank the sanctuary sits on top of, other cars had been abandoned on the roadside. yeterday was a day we could have done well without, but at least we may have found a home for old suzie, a very shy but loving cat, as long as she gets on with the couple other 12yr. old cat they will take her, heres hoping. today is a much better day, bright, dry, not too cold and best of all ITS NOT SNOWING.

yes ed it was etty who swore a lot!! she has calmed down but can still be feisty when the mood takes her, usually if you pick her up, i think she finds that an indignity she just cant bear. but she is also loving and enjoys a fuss so i’m really hoping this comes off and the lad comes back for her, he’s an experienced cat owner so should hopefully be able to cope with her ‘eccentricities’ he knows how she came to be with us so everyone fingers, toes and anything else you can cross for etty.
we did get a cat in this weekend too, oliver, female but the owners thought she was male, all ginger, she has an old injury to her eye and has has a bump with a car in her youth, can be very aggressive towards people apparently, hav’nt seen that yet, but we thought if she is’nt a candidate to be rehomed she can live here, using the feral unit when she wants to and just roaming around to her hearts content, apparently she dos’nt like to be in the house much so this might be the best plan with ollie, as long as she gets on with our other free-range cats tipsy, sophie, carrot, sox and georgie the monster, (she’ll tackle anything!!)if she does then she’ll just join in with the gang.
for anyone wanting to read ettys story look on the kays hill appeal page on poc, its a heart tugger.

You are doing wonders there at Kays Hill, I’m so pleased things are starting to happen with the cattery and with rehoming cats, I can scarcely believe that Etty will be so lucky as to have a wonderful home all to herself, I so much hope so and am keeping everything crossed for her,thank you for all you do seven days a week.

Rehoming all those cats you are great man
I read about Etty on another page here I think she was the one who swore a lot cos shed been badly used is that right?
Every weekend I look for your pages to see your latest news and feel happy.
Ed

Wonderful news if Etty does have a home, she would be a lovely little pet in a home of her own without other cats and deserves it after her traumas, then abandoned next door.
I’m so impressed with the progress you and Kevin are making and the number of cats you are rehoming is amazing, it’s all happening now !
WELL DONE.

we like to hear of our cats being wanted too ed, this weekend we’ve rehomed spot, beryl, felix and smudge, those two have been with us forever! two black & white common or garden ‘moggies’ as some would term them but two of the most funny, loving and downright delightful cats you could wish to meet, but as they are 11years old and had to be rehomed together no-one has ever wanted them, well this weekend they have finally gone and in the nicest possible way we were so happy to see them go. and guess what babz & ruth? i may have someone interested in ETTY!! we’ll have to wait and see, but he showed a lot of interest in her but he has health problems and will need to think about it. he came with one of our volunteers and saw etty and really liked her, as i said we’ll wait and see. i’ll keep you updated. we now have a kitchen in the cattery, well its stood in place, not plumbed in yet, kevin is still plugging away at the bricklaying and has got more walls done, its slow going but its going in the right direction, been such a busy week, we’re all exhausted. violet is fine ed, she’s back in the field with the other ponies and is much happier.

Man it does sound like you are busy bees at Kays Hill and I liked the photos of the cattery its coming on well.
I like to read about the animals as well I know its a cat site here but its nice to read about other animals like that pony.
I hope shes better now.
I love to read about cats getting new homes best of all.
Ed

only too pleased to be able to finally help the pony barbara, i hope it all works out well. last night we were given a cement mixer!! dave and emma, a couple who bring as much as they can get their hands on, wood, paint, nails and all sorts of stuff, turned up last night with this cement mixer that a friend of theirs had donated to us. its an old one but works perfectly, kevin has used it today. we’ll never stop being grateful to everyone who, one way or another has got us this far. people never fail to amaze me.

What a lovely ending to the story about Sonny, poor little soul I’m so glad he’s gone somewhere he will be well cared for,and glad for Brian the ferret as well. Dave said he would speak to the lady about the new home for the pony, it sounds perfect for her, thank you so much for your efforts on his behalf.

a week or two ago we took in a 7mth old kitten, sonny, lovely little fella but quite nervous at first. the family that brought him to us left a lot to be desired, if i had to speak frankly. bunch of nutters if i had to be really honest!! they didnt have a clue how to look after themselves never mind a vulnerable kitten, no wonder he was nervous. i dread to think of the ‘handling’ he would have had from this pair. however, after a few days he started to come round and become curious about his new surroundings, he became quite a favourite with everyone. as he became braver he became playful and a dish was never left upright for long, he liked to chase the cat litter, woodbased pellets, across the floor of his pen, toys were a neverending source of glee, a proper little delight. a few days ago a couple who have rehomed a cat from us before, charlie, came to visit and fell in love with sonny, they have been this afternoon and taken him off to his new home, where he’ll be loved and played with and cared for, for the rest of his life. its times like this i think about when things are going badly wrong and you feel at the end of your tether, these things keep us going. good news too about brian the ferret, he’ll be going to his new home this sunday, also today we, hopefully, have got a home for a pony who is going to be a companion to a lonely horse. like i’ve said before, the light may be dim sometimes, but its there at the end of the tunnel.

kevin is so wrapped up in getting as many jobs done in the cattery as possible, however it is keeping his mind on that and not other stuff. i’ve just spent, i don’t know how long actually, swilling the donkeys stable out after kevin had turned the tap on about 3 hours ago to fill their water barrel and promptly forgot and went back to his bricklaying, it was’nt until i saw the ducks having a whale of a time in all this water running down the front of the stables that i realised. so the donkeys have now been mucked out and dried out and all new straw and hay put back in and my leaky welly foot is squelching. kevin kept out of the way and carried on quietly bricklaying. i’m all for getting the cattery finished but this really dos’nt help!! he has got four of the room doors fixed on, painted in red, very pretty. he’s working very hard so you have to forgive him his lapses in concentration i suppose.

heavy snow all morning which has turned into heavy rain this afternoon, HORRIBLE. we are soaked through and cold and completely sick of the winter, roll on spring. been putting a new roof on duke’s pen this morning, temparary until the weekend when it can get done properly. duke is our wensleydale sheep with a wonky front leg, he’s a proper pet. kevin is bricklaying again, he’s started on building one of the rooms in the cattery, he may be cold in there but at least he’s dry, he said his wooly hat has dried out now anyway. i’ve got a leaky welly after violet the pony stood on my foot while i was worming her earlier, she split my welly and now i’ve got a soggy foot, i’m off to make coffee for us to warm up a bit before starting to get everyone in and fed for the night. one of our 6 month old kittens is going to his new home tomorrow and we’ve had someone today who might be interested in the other, so fingers crossed. it might be a horrible day weather wise but there’s light at the end of the tunnel, it might be very dim at times, but it’s there!!

It was a bitter cold wind up at Kays Hill yesterday but as Leanne said, they get used to it with being out in all weathers seeing to the outside animals
We went up with the donations from Sylvia Ann and Edward and a car full of donated bric a brac, food, bedding etc.
Lots to do inside the cattery yet and Leanne told us that Kevin was still bricklaying at 1.30am. His DIY is saving the cost of £100 a day for a proper bricklayer and I must say he is making a brilliant job of it. So much needs doing yet it looked very daunting to us but Leanne was very cheerful about all the work they are both putting into it. The biggest worry is of course all the expense of the stuff needed because of rules and regulations and red tape.
I do admire them SO MUCH !
We took some photos which we will send to Michael soon.

People really can be amazing! Cat LOVERS in particular. When I had horses, I found that most horse people come to the aid of folks who need help, in a heartbeat.

The same for cat-people- I mean the ones that are truly cat lovers and love the folks that take such good care of them. . . and always go the extra mile to protect and care of neglected animals.

Much love to you all!

The weather I mean man
ROFLOL
Ed

sorry ed but i had to laugh. you saying i have a lot of wind. charming!!

Most things are bearable as long as everyone is OK, so really glad to hear the Violet the pony is improved. There’s been an awful lot of wind this year, I hope Kevin manages to get that roof secured it must be such a worry. You’re brilliant Leanne, on top of everything else you’re a hoddie (brickie’s help) as well. Just mind your poor back.

I was thinking about that poor little pony so pleased you have let us know she’s improving thankyou Leanne.
It’s horrible to see animals ill.
I wish that wind would go away for you there,it’s been really bad this year.

I think a lot of people read everything but dont say anything I used to do that but then I said something and got made so welcome I felt good about joining in.
Im glad the pony is getting better thats good news.
You have a lot of wind Leanne keep wrapped up warm and tell Kevin to as well.
Ed

thanks everyone for lovely comments, you’re right ed, we’ve got 2 gudduns in ruth and barbara. kevin is doing the repairs to the gable end but its so windy the steels keep moving, even though we’ve got it tied down as much as possible, can’t get it done soon enough really, poor bugger has been working hard on getting these jobs done, i’m not much use with it really, carrying blocks and mixing cement is my level. for anyone who might be interested, violet, the colicky pony is much better this morning, thankfully. she’s bright and eating, always a good sign in any animal.

Such great progress in so short a time is nothing short of wonderful!
It’s only a month or so ago we were seeing the pictures of the roofless cattery and Kevin’s sad face and he was saying all he wanted for Christmas was a roof.
Bless all the people who have helped his wish come true.
I do enjoy seeing the photos and reading about Kays Hill and the people there so supportive of them.

Wonderful news

Amazing to follow the progress of Kays Hill cattery.
I think all over the world we are rooting for them there.
It’s great all the publicity is bringing in donations, the power of the press and all!

The picture from the Northern Echo didn’t come on here until the day after I wrote the article Leanne so it maybe wasn’t on when you commented.
It’s a good one anyway and there’s a lot more interest in the progress of your cattery now which will hopefully bring you more much needed support.

Leanne I emailed the Echo at the weekend, the same night as I asked for the kitchen stuff and cement mixer on freecycle, I did say on Facebook but maybe you were all too busy to go on there. I contacted the same lady who was interested in the Felix food story and she passed it to a colleague. Then today Helen Smithson from the Echo phoned me about winning the crossword and she mentioned how happy they all were that the roof is on! I think Kays Hill is quite famous at The Northern Echo, they are living it all as it happens along with us. Great that you’ve had donations from the pic being in

Leanne you’ve got yourselves two good publicity ladies and supporters man in Barbara and Ruth
Ed

didnt realise when i put the last comment on that the newspaper article had been put on, ruth have i got you to blame for this? kevin has just finished putting up the last of the blocks on the back wall so now hopefully when its windy the wind can’t get under the roof anymore, just the repairs to the gable end to do now and then we’re going to have a go at building the actual rooms. obviously kevin can’t work as fast as a qualified bricklayer but they cost over £100 per day, so it may take longer but won’t cost a fortune. an update on Violet , the pony with colic, she took a turn for the worst and we had to get the vet back, shes had painkillers and muscle relaxant injections, we’ll see how she is tomorrow, her heart rate was also up. we’re worrying about her now, theres never nothing to worry about. had 2 men come along seperately today and each gave a donation because they’d seen us in the paper yesterday, something to brighten the day. off to put everyone away for the night and feed round.

How kind that anon donor was!
I love the picture,it looks bitter cold there by your hat Leanne!
What a spectacular building your cattery is.
I think people like to help you because you always show your appreciation.
It’s not that people want thanking but if you do it makes them want to help you more I think.
I also love it that Ruth writes about you and then you come and tell us interesting things going on at Kays Hill about the animals and all. I look forward to reading your posts.
I loved the pages about the Santa Compo and Barbara being so kind and your cat stories.
I hope your van gets mended and those gorgeous cats get homes.
Good news about Roxy and only 2 left of those poor little abandoned ones.
WELL DONE Leanne and Kevin!

yes we finally have a roof. after what has seemed like an age and only due to the kindness of truly good people our shell of a cattery has a lid!! we have been busy the last few days trying to get jobs done inside the building, such as painting and yesterday kevin was bricklaying, which he has never done before but has done a really good job. there have been doors made and fitted and the inside of the rooms have been getting a coat of paint too. there is still so much to do it can still be a bit daunting but the thought that we’ve made it this far, with all the support we have had, we can do it and see all the buildings finished. so now ‘all’ we have to do is the plumbing, electrics, get and fit the kitchen and food prep area, tile the floors, fit out the rooms so the cats can finally have a leak free and draught free enviroment while they are with us, and probably 100’s of other jobs too. who cares, if we can get this far, with all we’ve had against us, we can get the rest done. but as we keep saying we could never have done it without all the help and support we have had on here at poc and elsewhere, you’re all amazing. will have to go, we’ve got a pony with colic and i have to keep walking her around, she’s not too bad just been a bit uncomfortable, the vet is’nt worried so i’m not going to either. had our photos taken this morning for the local paper, smudge and felix 2 of our cats that are long termers had their photos taken too so we hope this might get someone interested in them. we’ll keep you updated on our progress.

Man thats great news to come home to and what a good thing the anonymous person has done to give the rest of the money needed.
I wish I could say it was me cos if Id had the money Id have done it but it wasn’t but I’m glad my little bit of pay helped.
I hope their van is fixed soon.
Ed

It’s great to hear that someone donated that money to Kays Hill! It must have been a huge relief to get the roof on. A big thank you, to a huge hearted anonymous person!

I hope the kitchen and van are fixed up and ready to go as soon as possible. For all the work Kays Hill do for their animals, they deserve the absolute best!

Good work Kays Hill, keep persevering, and you’ll continue to achieve wonderful things!

I am very impressed with the way you guys struggle and wrestle with this monumental task and as long as you struggle you will get there. It is a very positive story – well done. I am pleased to be part of it. It makes me feel better.

Kevin and Leanne work so hard and Ruth and Babz never seem to tire with their support.

Guys I have to say you really inspire me as its damned hard work caring for animals. I only have one foster cat at the moment and even now I find it draining so I can only imagine what you go through!

Anyway all I really wanted to say was I’m chuffed to bits about the roof!

Thanks Michael, we have some very kind people around here.
Babz has an appeal out at her funeral office for food and bedding for Kays Hill right now and we will be going up at the weekend with a good bit of stuff donated to her for them already.

I think Ruth and Babz do great work in supporting and promoting Kays Hill animal sanctuary (north of England) and Kevin and Leanne are amazing in running the sanctuary. This is a big undertaking with a lot of responsibility.