Cats Protection calls for funds to save animals like Rufus
The Shetland Branch of Cats Protection is kicking off its 2009 fund-raising events on Easter Saturday with its Easter Fair at the Town Hall.
The event can’t come soon enough for the group, which is feeling the financial pressure of caring for so many of Shetland’s homeless cats and kittens.
A spokesman for the group said: “We have had an extremely busy first quarter of the year, with an unprecedented number of cats and kittens admitted to care, some as emergencies.”
One such emergency was Rufus. Reported as straying in Voe and lame, closer examination revealed knee and cruciate ligament damage and four toes missing from a front paw, all injuries thought to be consistent with being trapped under the bonnet of a car. He also had scalded pads, broken teeth and matted fur.
The branch spokesman continued: “Thankfully, the vet has managed to pin Rufus’ leg to stabilise it and he is now on the mend after suffering unmentionable pain for a long time. But emergency medical cases like these inevitably put a strain on our finances, which is why we are hoping Shetland’s cat lovers will turn out in force on Easter Saturday to help us boost our funds.
“The Easter Fair is just one of several fundraising events planned throughout the year, including a sponsored bag-pack, Black Cat Teas and the ever-popular Christmas Fair. All the money we raise at such events stays in Shetland, enabling us to continue our work throughout the islands and rescue cats like Rufus.”
The group is always looking for volunteers to help out at fundraising events, so anyone who can spare an hour or two of their time is urged to call and leave a message on the branch’s helpline, (01806) 544 334, or send an e-mail to enquiries@cats.shetland.co.uk. Donations of homebakes, bric-a-brac and books for the Easter event would be most welcome at the Town Hall from 11 am on the day of the event.
