Fresh appeal for supporters to donate towards RSPCA Stubbington Ark's new cattery plans

Last year, staff at the RSPCA Stubbington Ark, in Ranvilles Lane, had to make the decision to close the centre’s existing cattery as it was no longer meeting welfare requirements needed to rehome and rescue cats.

Normally, more than 500 cats are rescued and cared for by the Stubbington Ark each year, but this year volunteers may only be able to rescue around 150 after the cattery was decommissioned.

The intake cattery, which has been condemned, provided 88 spaces to help cats in need, but this has now been dramatically reduced to just 36 units.

More than 30 years old, the building was too small for the cats to live in, there are cracks and holes in the infrastructure, rotting wood, and uneven, damaged flooring.

The estimated cost to replace the building is £400,000, which the Stubbington Ark team are having to fund independently. They still have £150,000 left to raise, which they are hoping to gather through their latest campaign.

Rachel Hall, business and income generation manager, said: ‘As an independently run animal shelter we rely on the generosity of supporters for projects so anything that can be given would be amazing.

‘There are a variety of ways people can get involved, PayPal, sending a cheque, JustGiving and text donation. We really can't thank people enough for getting involved and wanting to help us get this cattery built.’

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The new cattery would be primarily for rescue, rehabilitation and adoption but with a boarding facility to provide a way of raising funds for the centre, which rescues and offers for adoption many animals from dogs and cats to pigs, rabbits and ducks.

This latest campaign follows the Stubbington Ark’s 100 Animal Lovers appeal earlier this year to update other outdated buildings such as the mixing shed, but many of the fundraising ideas were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Visit justgiving.com/campaign/arkcatteryrebuild to donate or text CATTERY to 70085 to donate £5. To donate via text but not receive marketing communications, text CATTERYNOINFO 5 to 70085.

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