The Reality of Rescue Right Now
Inside rescue: what it really takes to care for over 80 animals
When people ask what rescue work looks like, the honest answer is: it changes every day.
Right now, we’re caring for more than 80 animals – and no two cases look the same.
Some arrive as tiny kittens needing round-the-clock feeding. Others are pregnant mums needing immediate veterinary care. Some come to us after being abandoned, and others arrive in emergency situations where there is no time to wait.
But behind every animal is one thing: care that has to happen immediately, and costs that never stop.
Every month, it costs nearly £8,500 just to cover the basics:
Food
Litter
Veterinary care
Ongoing medical treatment
That doesn’t include emergencies, or the dogs currently in our care.
Why kitten season never really ends anymore
“Kitten season” used to be something we prepared for in the spring and summer.
Now, it feels like it has become a constant reality.
We are currently caring for:
50 kittens
several pregnant cats
nursing mothers with litters
Just the kittens alone need around 150 sachets of food every single day – alongside specialist care, monitoring, and regular veterinary support.
It adds up quickly, both in terms of workload and cost.
A recent rescue that shows the reality of this work
We were recently contacted about a cat being offered for rehoming on social media while heavily pregnant.
We stepped in immediately and arranged for her to come into care instead, to ensure she was safe and received the right veterinary support.
A volunteer collected her within an hour.
Shortly after arriving in care, she gave birth to six kittens – all of whom are now safe and being cared for.
Cases like this are becoming increasingly common, and early intervention often makes the difference between life and loss.
What keeps rescue going
What makes the biggest difference is not just the rescue work itself, but the network behind it. Every animal that comes through our doors relies on a chain of people - from those who alert us to animals in need, to those who support their care behind the scenes, to those who help them recover and find new homes.
“This has been the hardest year we’ve ever faced. The need is constant, the pressure is huge, and the level of care required is significant.
Through it all, the support from our community has kept us going.”
Without that wider community, none of this would be possible.
“Fostering is incredibly rewarding. You see animals arrive in need and then grow into confident, happy pets ready for adoption. It really is a privilege.”
How ongoing support makes all of this possible
Rescue work is unpredictable. Some weeks are manageable, others are overwhelming.
That’s why ongoing support matters so much.
We’re asking people to be part of what we’re calling our Core Care Fund – a group of supporters who help provide steady, monthly support that keeps everything running.
It helps us cover the essentials every month:
food for kittens and adult cats
litter and daily care needs
veterinary treatment and emergencies
It means we can respond quickly when animals need help, without hesitation or delay.
At the moment, caring for more than 80 animals costs around £8,500 every month, and that work is only possible because of the people who choose to stand with us in this way…. thank you!
Whether you’ve supported us before, shared our posts, fostered, donated, or simply followed our journey – you are part of this work. Every single act of support helps us continue.
If you would like to help support our work, please consider setting up a monthly donation.
