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Help Us Build a Safe Forever Sanctuary for Disabled Cats
Hi, my name is Sammy. Together with my husband Joe, I run a small special needs cat sanctuary in Shropshire, UK, called Heidi’s Courageous Cat Foundation.
We take in disabled and special needs cats and other animals, with a particular focus on paralysis and neurological conditions, and give them the specialist, hands-on care they need for as long as they need it. Many of our residents are cats who were at real risk of euthanasia purely because their care is complex or expensive.
Alongside day-to-day care, I also give guidance and support to owners, other rescues and vets dealing with emergency situations and disabled animal care, so that animals are not put to sleep when there is a realistic alternative and a good quality of life is possible.
Why We Need Your Help Now
In February 2026, our lives – and the lives of the animals in our care – were turned upside down.
We were forced to leave our home and sanctuary base after a series of targeted vandalism attacks and threats of further harm. Windows were smashed, there was graffiti and damage caused by vehicles, and on one occasion the cats were literally covered in broken glass. We could not risk this escalating and putting our vulnerable animals – and ourselves – in even greater danger.
We made the heartbreaking decision to give up our home and move into temporary accommodation so that the animals could be kept safe. Years of hard work, savings and effort to build up the sanctuary as it was had to be left behind overnight.
Our Vision: A Safe, Permanent Sanctuary Home
Despite everything, we are determined to turn this devastating situation into something positive.
We are in the process of applying to register Heidi’s Courageous Cat Foundation as a charity, and we have always planned to grow the sanctuary so we can help more disabled animals. This year alone we have already had to turn away 16 disabled cats, including paralysed cats who could have had a real chance at life here, simply because we do not have enough space or funds.
We will be using the proceeds from the sale of our former home (around £300,000) towards buying a new property that can become a safe, permanent base for the sanctuary. However, property prices mean this isn’t enough to secure the kind of place we need. We estimate we need at least £400,000+ to buy a suitable property and begin adapting it for disabled animals.
That is why we are asking for your help.
How Your Donation Will Be Used
We have set an initial fundraising target of £100,000. This will help bridge the gap between the £300,000 we expect from the sale of our former home and the cost of buying and adapting a suitable property for the sanctuary (likely £400,000+ once essential works are included).
If we are fortunate enough to raise more than this initial target, every additional pound will still go directly towards creating and improving the long‑term sanctuary facilities described below.
This GoFundMe is a personal fundraiser to help us:
Support the animals in our care during this interim period
Help cover essential costs while we are in temporary accommodation and dealing with the upheaval caused by having to leave our home so suddenly.
Bridge the gap to buy a suitable sanctuary property
Add to the funds from the sale of our former home so we can secure a safe, rural or semi-rural property where the sanctuary can operate and grow long term.
Begin creating purpose-built facilities for disabled and special needs animals, such as:
A large, secure, purpose-built outdoor exercise area for disabled cats to enjoy safely.
A main sanctuary building with multiple specially designed cat rooms/pens to take in more disabled and special needs cats.
Proper quarantine facilities to protect new arrivals and vulnerable residents.
A small physiotherapy and rehabilitation suite to support paralysed and mobility-impaired animals.
Specialist boarding care rooms for disabled animals who need short-term, expert care.
A medical and food preparation room where medications, special diets and treatments can be managed safely and hygienically.
Every pound you give brings us closer to a secure, purpose-built sanctuary where we can offer lifelong care to some of the most vulnerable animals – the ones who are so often overlooked or written off.
What This Means for the Future
If we can raise the extra funds needed to secure and adapt a suitable property, Heidi’s Courageous Cat Foundation will have a real future. We will be able to:
Take in more disabled and special needs animals who have nowhere else to go.
Prevent unnecessary euthanasia by offering a realistic, long-term alternative.
Provide a calm, safe environment designed specifically for animals with paralysis, neurological conditions and other complex needs.
Continue to support owners, rescues and vets facing difficult decisions about disabled animals.
If we cannot raise these funds, our ability to continue and grow this much-needed work will be severely limited.
Please Help Us Turn This Around
We never imagined we would be forced out of our home and sanctuary by targeted attacks. But we are determined that something good will come from this, and that disabled animals will not be the ones to suffer.
If you are able to donate, share, or simply spread the word, you will be helping us to:
Keep our current residents safe and cared for, and build a secure, permanent sanctuary where many more disabled and special needs animals can be given the chance of a happy life.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story.
To learn more about Heidi’s Courageous Cat Foundation and see the animals currently in our care, please visit:
With love and gratitude,
Sammy and Joe
Organizer
