Charity honours cat mad Janet

Cannock Mercury Newspaper article dated 30th October 2008 by Sam Schofield.

A Cannock cat-lover and former Mercury reporter has won a national award, from the UK's leading feline welfare group, which recognises her 'creative' volunteer work.

The co-ordinator for Cats Protection's Cannock and Burntwood branch, Janet Lee won the 'Flying the Flag' category at the charity's first ever Volunteer of the Year Awards 2008.

It was given in recognition of her 'creative ways in finding homes for unwanted and abandoned cats, including enlisting the help of a male voice choir, a spokesman for the charity said.

Janet asked for the help of the Cannock Chase Orpheus Male Choir, as well as local theatre groups, which put on shows in the area and donated the proceeds to Cats Protection.

Janet also writes a quarterly branch magazine, entitled 'The Miaowler', which helps to generate valuable donations and homes for the cats in the branch's care.

At a ceremony held at the charity's National Cat Centre in Sussex earlier this month Janet received her prize; a silver Cats Protection badge and a framed certificate.

The award was presented by former Cats Protection trustee Ken Hughes and the cat author and former pet editor of the Daily Telegraph Celia Haddon.

'The judges were particularly impressed with Janet's creativity and enthusiasm in helping to get the name of Cats Protection out there in her local area,' said Carol Carbine, the charity's volunteering manager.

A delighted Janet said: 'I was pleased to hear that I had won the award for the 'Flying the Flag' category and I'm very grateful to the Cannock Chase Orpeus Male Voice Choir, local theatre groups and to all of the local people and organisations that help me get the word out there about Cats Protection.  Thanks to their help, we recieve many inquiries from people looking to adopt a at, or make a donation, so I am extremely grateful for their support'.

Set up this year, the awards ceremony recognises the contribution that volunteers make to the success of the charity, which helps 142,000 cats and kittens each year across the UK.

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Links to other local animal rescue centres and resources

Lost a dog? found a stray? don't know where to turn? Well look no further,we are here to help people like you.

http://www.k9searchuk.com  

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CP Cannock and Burntwood branch support other local animal charities, one has recently opened in Lichfield 'Small Animal Ark' and is a small animal rescue organisation looking after rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, gerbils, mice and budgies. The organisation is a non-profit making and all funding is coming from public donations and company sponsors.

Please use the attached link to see their web site.

http://infinitefrontiers.0catch.com/smallanimalark/index.htm 

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Birmingham-born artist John Twinning, now based in Cannock Wood has produced this highly detailed painting of a beautiful Tabby cat of his acquaintance called Tabatha.  It is one of a series of four paintings of Tabatha to have been produced so far.

The artist has prints and cards of these fantastic paintings available for purchase from the animal portraiture section of his website at www.twinningfineart.co.uk/gallerydetail.php?cat=animal
 
John has agreed to donate 10% of any sales generated as a result of referals/introductions arising from the above link to Cat's Protection Cannock & Burntwood. Please remember to mention Cats Protection when you order.
 
John is also available to undertake commissioned pet portraits and again, should these be as a result of a direct referal/introduction from the Cats Protection site, he will donate 10% of his fee to Cat's Protection Cannock & Burntwood.

http://www.twinningfineart.co.uk/gallerydetail.php?cat=animal

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Social media

We are now on FaceBook http://apps.facebook.com/causes/253925/17987779?m=ac75a943 if you wish to join us on there you will need a FaceBook account, you can register here http://www.facebook.com/

We are also on Twitter www.Twitter.com/catsprotection take a look for regular update about the Cats Protection.