Season's Greetings from Twilight Cats

We are a small, not-for-profit, senior cat rescue dedicated to providing tender loving care to cats in their twilight years. We currently provide a retirement home for over 20 seniors — many in their late teens/twenties. Our organisation is often the only hope for elderly cats to find love and comfort in their final years: quite simply, without us, many of our residents wouldn't be here today.

A poignant reminder of this is one little tabby and white boy who was found straying and hungry in the cold last December. He was handed in to a vets practice but, as is so often the case, nobody came forward to claim him. A friendly, amiable soul, estimated to be 18-years-old, the staff tried their best to find him a new home. They contacted all local rescues but many had either shut for the festive period, or had no space at all.

Then a student veterinary nurse got in contact with us here at Twilight Cats. We were 130 miles away, and also full, but in the true spirit of Christmas, we said yes (providing someone could bring him to us). In the days that followed, various transport arrangements fell through and with the practice closing for Christmas, his future hung in the balance once more...

Until an angel, in the form of Lisa, head veterinary nurse stepped forward and offered to bring him to us on Christmas Day! And so it was, that newly-named 'Rudi' arrived at Twilights on the 25th of December 2024. He brought with him his own presents, which were placed under the tree, and we provided a turkey dinner. He spent the evening luxuriating on our sofa watching the 'Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special'.

Rudi had a wonderful few months with us at Twilights before succumbing to cancer in the spring. We miss him dearly, but are so grateful for the precious time we shared together.

As you can imagine, the cost of providing food, medicine and veterinary care for cats like Rudi is expensive. Since 2016, when we started the rescue, vet bills have risen by 60% (see UK's Competition and Markets Authority research).

We have funded a large proportion of this rescue work from our own income and personal savings but the latter is now depleted. The harsh truth is, unless we can raise a lump sum of £12,000 — a third of our annual expenditure — to help cover our outgoings for next year, we will have to close our doors to new intakes. This would be a tragedy for future cats like Rudi.

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE CARING FOR SENIOR CATS

It's a huge ask, we know, and nothing short of a miracle will see us reach this target.

Please be assured that every donation counts, however small, and will be so gratefully received. And if you don't have the funds to donate... then please share our appeal instead.

Thank you!