Compassion For Cats is a charity rescuing and rehoming felines in need. Based in Oakhill, the organisation has recently gained charity status, awarded in October 2023.
The charity works with members of the public and other animal charities to rehabilitate strays and unwanted pets. Currently, the farmland on which Compassion For Cats is situated is home to 97 cats - and counting. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the charity has taken in 319 cats, 170 of which have been rehomed and 83 fostered. Some stay on as permanent residents.
Facilities onsite allow the charity to home felines in places most suited to them. Farm cats lodge in large outdoor pens where they can roam freely. Shelter is provided for when it gets cold outside. Pet cats and newborn kittens are in an indoor cattery where they can access a catio if they want to go outside. There is also an additional cabin providing a quieter accommodation alternative to the cattery for the more timid and elderly cats.
The farm also homes cats that are FIV positive - a disease similar to HIV in humans. The disease cannot spread between species and only spreads from cat to cat through deep bite wounds and scratches. FIV+ cats live in a separate outdoor pen from the farm cats, complete with indoor shelter.
The well-being of each cat is carefully considered at the rescue. This compassionate ethos is extended to visitors who come along too - over ten volunteers visit to improve their mental health whilst bonding with new kittens from feral mums, helping normalise human contact. The charity also works with children and adults with autism, offering a safe, welcoming and calm space for them to visit.
Compassion For Cats also works with local schools and students from the Radstock Campus at Bath College who are on the Animal Care course.
Owner Judy Knowles shared her inspiration for starting the charity: “Caring for animals in need has always been my passion. I've dreamed of creating this organisation since I was nineteen, and it's incredible to finally see it come to life.”
The charity has helped a huge number of cats in their first year. They want to continue to grow their services and develop more community connections but need funding to do so. As well as regular running costs and building upkeep, the charity has to pay for regular de-fleaing, worming and neutering treatments, and additional medical needs have to be catered for with some resident felines.
The next goal is to construct another pen for the elderly cats to live out the rest of their days in peace at the sanctuary. The charity is currently fundraising to buy another shed for this project.
Compassion For Cats is also looking for volunteers, fosterers and adopters. If you can help by donating time, money, or a loving home to a feline friend, visit their website: www.compassionforcats.co.uk or contact Judy on 07786 238942.