The Cora Animal Project CIC: A Small Search That Became a Lifeline
My name is Darren, and The Cora Animal Project CIC started with a heartbreak.
In February 2026, my beautiful 6-year-old tabby, Cora, went missing from a home in Higher Folds. As anyone who has lost a pet knows, the silence in the house is deafening. I began searching day and night, building a community of "eyes and ears" to help bring her home.
But then, something unexpected happened.
While looking for Cora, I started finding other lost souls. I realised that our community was full of "post-ghosts"—cats that had been missing for months or even years, and families who had given up hope. I couldn't just walk past them.
In just a few short weeks, The Cora Animal Project CIC has transformed from a personal search into a voluntary community search, scan and rescue service. We have:
- Successfully captured and reunited pets with their families.
- Rescued strays in desperate need of medical care and a foster home.
- Become a trusted partner for organisations like Cats Protection, who now refer emergency rehoming cases to us.
- Maintained a dedicated website and database to track sightings of missing pets across our region.
Why we need your help today:
Up until now, I have funded every penny of this project myself—from website hosting and fuel for late-night searches and scans to emergency vet bills. Today, I am facing a reality check: I am down to my last £19, and I only own one large cat carrier.
As I prepare to rescue four more cats in crisis today, I realise that to keep saving lives and to finally find my own Cora, we need the right tools. We are a community-led, non-profit mission, and we are running on pure heart—but heart doesn't pay for the "Search, Scan and Rescue Van" fuel or the equipment needed to capture a frightened cat safely.
Our £2,500 "Rescue Kit" Goal will fund:
- Essential Gear: Multiple cat carriers, humane traps, and protective gloves for safe rescues.
- Search Technology: Thermal torches and wireless CCTV cameras to track cats in the dark.
- Operational Costs: Website maintenance, Wi-Fi dongles for field work, and fuel for the "Search, Rescue and Scan Angel" missions.
- Emergency Fund: A small reserve for urgent vet checks for strays like O'Malley (our very first rescue).
The Cora Animal Project CIC belongs to all of us. Every donation, no matter how small, goes directly toward the equipment and costs of reuniting families with their lost pets.
Cora is still out there, and while we look for her, we will make sure no other pet is left behind. Thank you for being part of our village and for helping us turn "Lost" into "Found."
With love and hope,
Darren & The Cora Animal Project CIC Team ❤️
Registered Community Interest Company (CIC)
Company Number: 17189164
Organizer
