International Animal Rescue
Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of suffering animals

Annual Review 2008

Read our annual review
> Download as PDF

Raise funds for the animals by hosting a dinner
MuchLoved Website Memorials

United Kingdom : Catastrophes Cat Rescue

Catastrophes Cat Rescue was set up through our involvement in animal welfare campaigning in the ’70s and as we became established and our "no-kill" policy became known our work increased dramatically. Many of the cats have been abandoned or are simply unwanted because of a change in people’s circumstances - some have been ill-treated.

Liz Varney releasing cats after sterilisationOur aim has always been to help any cat regardless of age, temperament or behaviour problems, be they wild or tame. Consequently, we tend to get desperate calls for help for elderly, feral and ’difficult’ to re-home cats. It would be true to say that many people have found that some of the larger organisations either turn away these cases or do not have a ’no-kill’ policy when it comes to these particular cats. In order to meet this need we have had to become a sanctuary as well as a cat rescue and re-homing organisation. The cats that are difficult to re-home are sterilised and innoculated. The elderly cats need constant monitoring of their health some are on special diets and medication. All of them are given the chance to live out their days in a peaceful home environment with the freedom of the country garden that surrounds the sanctuary.

One of the Catastrophes vets examining a kittenOur work with feral cats involves spaying and neutering complete colonies and giving any necessary veterinary treatment. Feral cats are returned to their site of capture if long-term food and shelter can be provided. If not, they are relocated to a suitable farm or country home or have a home for life with us.

We believe that every cat deserves a chance to have a safe, caring and peaceful place to live and enjoy the rest of their lives. It’s surprising how often the most seemingly wild, unfriendly and ’spiteful’ cat that arrives hissing, spitting and lashing out, or has the most difficult and anti-social habits and behaviour, can change with love, care and lots of patience. Catastrophes believe that every life saved is worth the effort it takes and with your support more cats in need will have a bright future.

> Support us in caring for cats in need

Help us spread the word

Please consider adding a banner to your website. Simply copy and paste the codes below into your page. > More web banners

Help us keep them safe

Help us to help them

March 2010
Environmentalists angered by prospect of spring hunting in Malta
The Malta Ornis Committee, made up of members of the hunting community, Birdlife Malta and environmental officers, has recommended that the season should open for three weeks from 10 - 30 April, allowing shooters to kill 22,298 turtle doves and 10,837 quail.

February 2010
Goa vets win award for poster pioneering orthopaedic surgery
Our vets in Goa have been awarded a gold medal at an international veterinary conference in India for their poster.

February 2010
Infant Sindi joins our family of rescued orangutans in Ketapang
A young female orangutan is the latest arrival at International Animal Rescue's centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan.

January 2010
Malta to allow spring bird killing again
A petition calling on the government to maintain the ban on spring bird hunting in Malta is being vigorously supported by International Animal Rescue.

January 2010
Maltese Hunter hit by friend in shooting accident
A 20 year old Maltese hunter is fighting for his life in hospital following a shooting accident in which he was hit by a friend.

December 2009
Animal welfare history is made as the final curtain falls on dancing bears in India
A coalition of conservation and animal rescue groups has today made animal welfare history by taking the last dancing bears off the streets of India.

Find us on facebook
Find us on bebo
Find us on myspace
Find us on YouTube
Read Olive's blog
Keep up with us on twitter