Woodlands – Metal bars and forever scars

The team at Woodlands come across many different scenarios where cats become unwanted and at times neglected, before they are able to find sanctuary with them. However, some situations can pull at the heart strings of the experienced team more than others. Not least when they knowingly take in cats who through no fault of their own have been abandoned and the team know, will be over looked time and again in favour of a younger, cuddlier, more attractive coloured cat. Not only is this heart breaking for the cats but also the team, who see the cat retreat more and more into themselves as they are passed by once again. For as independent as cats can be, they are still just as receptive as us to feeling loved or not.

The team are therefore unable to turn these cats away, even though they know they will be in their care far longer than they should be and will cost them more, simply due to the length of time they are with them.

The beautiful Millie and equally handsome Jack are both cats who unfortunately for them, fall into this category of being over-looked simply because of their colour and sensitive nature.

Millie arrived at Woodlands all the way back in February, pre lockdown era! Millie was found as a stray and taken to Rufford Vets to be health checked and looked after before being admitted to the charity. It was found that Millie has a mild heart murmur which could become more of an issue for her in the future. She is also on special food because she has a tendency to throw up when given regular food. She has of course been health checked, vaccinated, microchipped and spayed prior to being given the all clear to be rehomed and the vets suggests that this little lady is still only 6 or 7 years young. Although she has a couple of health conditions, she is a beautiful, friendly cat who adores to be stroked, which leads to the couple of incredibly endearing habits she appears to have when being stroked! She will walk like a crab while being stroked and will talk to you with the cutest meow you will ever have heard! Millie does however, need an understanding home that will still give her all the love she is longing for.

Jack, meanwhile, came to Woodlands in mid-March, with his friend, who unfortunately had health issues and could not be saved, when their owners moved abroad and could not take the cats with them. Jack is particularly timid and can be very nervous. The dedicated team have done all they can to help Jack to adjust to his new, albeit temporary environment, but he has sadly lost his confidence in humans. The team have therefore taken the decision that Jack should only be rehomed to an outdoor environment, one where he can have his own space and routine, but knows he has a guaranteed food supply, someone to watch out for him, should be become poorly and somewhere safe to shelter when he needs it. A stable, farm, small holding or similar would be ideal, with someone who is happy to allow Jack the freedom he needs to enjoy his life again.

There is a poem hanging up in the shelter at Woodlands, which has caused many a tear to be shed, and which unfortunately, the team feel is rather prudent for Millie and Jack. Beginning

“I sit alone and so confused, behind the metal bars. The loss that I am feeling, will forever leave scars.”

The sanctuary is asking you, if you have the time, patience and space to give one of these special kitty’s the happy ending they are craving.

If you would like to read the full poem here is it:

I sit alone and so confused

behind the metal bars.

The loss that I am feeling

will forever leave scars.

My family left me here one day

A month or two ago.

They said ‘Don’t worry Sunny,

You’ll find a home; we know’

It seems they’d bought a flat