What we do
The East Devon Branch, (formerly known as the Ottery St. Mary & District Branch), was set up in 1987 and now covers approximately 400 sq. miles of East Devon, from Cullompton to Axminster in the north and along the coast from Lyme Regis to Budleigh Salterton in the south. The only exception is the Honiton EX14 area which has its own Branch.
All the work of the Branch, of whatever kind, is undertaken by unpaid volunteers with one exception. We now have our own Charity Shop in Sidmouth for which we have a part-time salaried Manager.
Cats that come into our care are looked after at 4 short-stay foster homes in our area run by volunteers on behalf of the Branch. Cats are accepted and cared for until they are able to be homed. This may involve hand-rearing kittens, caring for cats during necessary veterinary treatment, or arranging for the neutering or spaying of adults. It may also require much time and TLC especially for semi-feral cats or cats that have suffered human abuse. We pride ourselves in that if a cat is in need, we always respond and no cat is ever put to sleep except on veterinary advice. We also operate a lost and found Register in an attempt to marry up lost cats with their owners.
Our shop at Sidmouth sells good quality secondhand clothes, books, bric-a-brac etc., and a wide range of CP goods and other catty items suitable for gifts.
We have regular fund raising events throughout the year in different parts of our area. We always have a good variety of stalls with quality merchandise and, of course, our star attraction, the cake stall!
As well as the need for money, there is always a need for voluntary helpers in different sections of our work. We need to keep a list of car drivers willing to transport cats from A to B, sometimes at short notice. Helpers are needed to undertake home checks before we can home a cat or kitten. We always need people to make items to sell at our events or to collect suitable items from our members or the general public. From time to time, during busy periods, we may need 'hands on' help at one or more of our Foster Homes.