Inside a Cumbrian animals' charity on International Cat Day 2024

Oak Tree Animals' Charity, which is located on Oak Tree Farm at Wetheral, Carlisle, rescued over 4,000 animals in 2023, with 1,760 of these being cats and on International Cat Day, it has detailed the variety of services it provides to rescued moggies. 

These services include rehoming, pet food donations to food banks, and supported veterinary treatment, with the charity dedicated to helping animals in need. 

Hero (Image: Supplied) On Thursday, August 8, Caroline Yon, Oak Tree Animals' Charity's head of animal welfare was on hand to provide more details of this extensive effort. 

She said: "We provide a variety of services including rehoming, foster care for pets of owners fleeing domestic violence, trap neuter return of feral cats, pet food donations to foodbanks, behavioural advice, and supported veterinary treatment. 

"Our Community and Rehoming teams assess each cat to determine what would be the most appropriate option for it.  

"These range from indoor to outdoor homes to community cats and feral colonies. 

Morty (Image: Supplied) "If a cat needs to come into our cattery, it is health checked and we ensure that our pens are set up to provide the cat with choices of hides, options to spend time at heights, and the ability to practice natural behaviours.

"Our A Helping Paw program provides short-term foster care for pets of people made homeless or those fleeing domestic violence.

"Placing their pets with us allows them to seek support and have access to hostels and refuges.

"Once they are settled in a new home, we return their pets to them."

Rick (Image: Supplied) Caroline also explained the key role that the public plays is helping the animals' charity continue its work to support vulnerable cats and their owners.  

"The support of the public is key to all the work that we do, but our fosterers are especially vital. 

"Without them, we could not run the A Helping Paw program. 

"They also provide care for those cats, and dogs, that don’t cope with the day-to-day stresses of living on-site or those that need extra care. 

Sheldon (Image: Supplied) "This might be queens and their kittens, orphaned kittens, chronically ill pets that need regular treatments, or even palliative cases that simply need a comfortable and loving home to see out their days. 

"For more information on cats, health tips, general care, and what to do if you find a stray or if you need support for your cat, please check out our website for lots of great information https://www.oaktreeanimals.org.uk/community/support-and-advice/cat.html"