Cats Protection volunteers in Falmouth and Helston are celebrating a decade of success in the rescuing and rehoming of stray and unwanted cats and kittens.
Since 2002 the branch has found homes for about 500 cats and kittens.
Shirley Trenoweth, branch co-ordinator, said: “We began our rescue work with one fosterer and a pen in 2002 and in that year we found homes for five cats. In 2011, which has been a difficult year for rehoming because of the economic situation in the country, our eight fosterers have helped almost 60 cats and kittens. We have also been able to reunite a number of lost pets with their owners over the years.
“During the past decade we have also helped with the neutering of more than 1500 cats in an attempt to reduce the problem of unwanted kittens. The branch has also helped with the trapping and neutering of a large number of cats in feral colonies.”
“The focus of all this work has been the welfare and well-being of cats and kittens.
“We are a small group of volunteers and supporters but we have been able to make a big difference to the lives of a large number of cats and kittens.”
Mrs Trenoweth is retiring on 4 January from the post of co-ordinator after 11 years. She helped set up the Falmouth and Helston branch of the charity in 2001. As well as being co-ordinator, she has at various times also been welfare officer and neutering officer, and has organised fund-raising events.
She said: “The greatest satisfaction of this work is seeing a cat or kitten that came into us in a poor condition, either through neglect or abuse, going to a caring home after being restored to health by one of our dedicated band of fosterers.”