A CAT rescue centre which has spent more than £35,000 on vet bills alone this year is asking the public for help as the situation continues to worsen.
Noah’s Ark Pet Rescue in Shafton has been going strong for six years, but is now finding it hard to stay open as they’ve faced their ‘hardest year yet’ and continue to struggle as the cost-of-living crisis means they have to rescue more and more stray or lost cats.
Supported by a dedicated team of 25 volunteers, the service has managed to make the most out of their situation and received gifts from Dunelm in Barnsley and Hays Travel in Wombwell to support the shelter.
Yet this doesn’t undo the fact that with a budget of only £1,537 at the start of the year as they’ve had to scramble to pay £35,828.31 in vet bills over the course of 2024.
Founder, Samantha Archibald, told the Chronicle: “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to get support from Dunelm.
“With all they’ve given us it means we’re in a good enough position that we don’t need to run another present appeal, but we do need some financial help.
“Every month the bank balance is nearly going to zero and we’re asking ourselves if we can we go on for another month.
“Our supporters are amazing and it’s only when I looked at the bank at the end of the year that I realised they must have helped raise £35,000.
“I know we have to raise that money, but they make it so easy.”
While many may complain about increasingly high vet bills, Samantha isn’t ready to blame them for their prices and is grateful for all the work her local vets - Pet Repair Vets - provide.
“People complain about vet bills but to be fair if we didn’t have the NHS and had to pay for our own healthcare it wouldn’t be so different,” she added.
“I think people forget how expensive these things can be, because the NHS pays for our X-rays, scans and tests.
“We’ve re-homed over 70 cats this year - that’s 70 cats spayed, neutered and chipped.
“And then there’s all the other issues we have as some come in at death’s door.
“I think if we paid for our own medical care we wouldn’t be as harsh as we are.
“I trust my vet implicitly.”
The major issues facing the team are that of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, as pet owners are being forced into giving up their cats as financial pressures have left them without work and in increasingly dire situations.
“What’s shocking is the sheer number of abandoned cats.
“People calling us up say that they’ve lost their job or home and are asking if we can help with their cat.
“There’s a lot more stray cats on the street, but what’s different now is how many of them are extremely friendly and used to being around humans - it suggests they’ve lived with people before.
“I had one gentleman at my gate in tears because he’d lost his job and as a consequence his home.
“He was standing there with two kittens asking if I could help them.
“It’s heartbreaking not just for the cats but for all the people affected.
“We’re only a small drop in the ocean but if we close then what happens to all the cats that would’ve come to us.
“If the money we raise helps rescue one more cat then that’s amazing.”
The charity has opened a Go Fund Me page which can be found on the Chronicle’s website.
