27/01/2010 - No Pussyfooting for Marathon Man
Snow and sub-zero temperatures have not stopped 39 year old Gavin Holtorp from Nabwood getting to grips with his training programme for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. As well as completing the marathon as part of his personal challenge in preparation for Ironman UK, he now has the added incentive – raising funds to help West Yorkshire’s stray and surrendered cats.
“This is a big year for me – and now that I’ve committed to run for Haworth Cat Rescue it’s going to be even bigger!” said Gavin. “The prospect of hitting forty galvanised me into being as fit as I can and the applying to the London marathon was an obvious starting point, but I also wanted to make my challenge one that would benefits others.
“I love cats and respect what Haworth Cat Rescue is trying to do to make sure that we put a stop to the indifference towards the suffering and neglect of cats in the region. Running to raise awareness and money to help them is perfect.”
Gavin can be found at www.vriginmoneygiving.com by typing his name in the Sponsor a Friend box on the homepage.
“This is huge for us and it’s a first!” said campaign manager, Corinne Moore. “We were not allocated our own place, so Gavin’s offer to run for us is absolutely fantastic. It gives us an opportunity to gain new support and highlight the dreadful state of affairs in the North East further down the country, and importantly, to raise very much needed funding. I very much that as many people as possible to behind him right away to help achieve the initial £1,000 target.”
Photo:
Courtesy Haworth Cat Rescue.About
Haworth Cat Rescue here... Haworth Cat Rescue's website
www.haworthcatrescue.org _____________________________________
20/11/2009 Cat and kittens trapped in skip and left to die Tied up in a knotted curtain, tossed in a south Leeds council skip and left to die - a mother cat and her newborn kittens narrowly escaped a slow and agonising death thanks to the timely action of a resident of a nearby apartment block who heard their anguished cries.
West Yorkshire Animals in Need responded to the call and Haworth Cat Rescue agreed to take in the nursing mother and her kittens as a matter of urgency, despite a long waiting list.
“Over the years I’ve seen it all but it never gets any easier. What sort of person does this?” said Sara Atkinson, Haworth Cat Rescue centre manager. “If her pitiful cries had not been heard by the kind gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous, and if West Yorkshire Animals in Need had not stepped in, these cats would have died in horrendous circumstances.”
One of the rescued kittens had a severe infection beneath her eye which required immediate medical attention.
Dr Oliver Townsend co-founder of West Yorkshire Animals in Need said “I just hope the little ginger kitten makes a full and speedy recovery and doesn't lose her eye.”
The white and grey mother who has been named Snudge and her four kittens are now in the safe care of volunteer foster carer Chelsey Dolan.
“We simply do not have the facilities or manpower at our present centre to provide the round the clock care and frequent handling the kittens require to ensure they are properly socialised and familiarised with everyday household noises. This is one of the reasons for our new centre appeal. Kittens who are comfortable being handled have a far better chance of being homed successfully,” said Sara.
“It’s time neutering became recognised as essential in responsible pet ownership. Keeping a pet costs money and owners must recognise that. We appreciate the support we receive in donated cat food from West Yorkshire Animals In Need. Sadly, we are small voices in the dark for animals, but together perhaps we can get the authorities to sit up and take notice of what is a very serious local and regional problem.
“What sort of children are we bringing up and what kind of message are we sending out?”
In the meantime, Haworth Cat Rescue is appealing to members of the public to step forward as foster carers to offer short-term care for nursing mother cats and kittens, and to care for orphan kittens requiring socialisation skills.
To find out more please call Haworth Cat Rescue on 015350 647184 weekdays from
12 noon to 4pm, or weekends 10.30am to 4pm.
