insideKENT Magazine Issue 53 - August 2016 | Page 43

A NEW COMPANION Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary, a registered charity, was founded by the late Veronica Huthwaite in 1970. It occupies two adjacent sites covering nearly two acres in the remote and beautiful North Downs countryside between Lyminge and Stone Street. IF YOU LOVE CATS, YOU’LL ENJOY VISITING RHODES MINNIS CAT SANCTUARY The largest cat sanctuary for unwanted cats in Kent with a variety of cats looking for a caring new home – perhaps with you. Opening hours 10am-1pm & 2-4pm, 7 days a week NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Registered charity 262245 – Founded 1970 The charity takes in nearly 300 cats every year, most of whom from people who have to give them up because of changes in their own lives, often the three Ds: Debt, Divorce or Death. The aim is to find new homes for as many cats as possible, and those which cannot be re-homed because of their temperament or ailments remain at the sanctuary until vets advise they have no reasonable quality of life left. The sanctuary takes in and re-homes cats of any age, and no healthy cat is ever put to sleep. The permanent population is around 200, of which up to half are potentially home-able. The charity is funded by donations and legacies from supporters and by the associated boarding cattery, where many of its customers have adopted cats from Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary. The charity has a thriving shop staffed mainly by volunteers – The Cat Basket in Cheriton Place, Folkestone, and runs open days, quiz nights and sponsored walks. Gift food boxes at Sainsbury's, Morrison's, The Co-op and Pets at Homes stores in the area make a welcome and varied contribution to the food bill. SEATHWAITE BOARDING CATTERY Individual heated chalets for your cats while you’re away, just £7 per day. Get in touch Green Lane, Rhodes Minnis, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT4 6XU 01303 862243 / [email protected] / www.rhodesminnis.co.uk 43 Tracy and Claire Jell are the resident managers, with three full time staff: Adam Streater, Elise Twigg-Molcey and Debbie Young. The sanctuary costs £200,000 per year to run, sustained entirely by its supporters and staff. Visitors are welcome each day between 10am-1pm and 2pm4pm, no appointment necessary. Newly appointed cats are in reception pens where they are seen by the sanctuary vets, Burnham House, Dover. Many new arrivals need to be treated for fleas, worms, dental problems and other ailments before they can be re-homed. If a cat is not rehomed fairly soon, it joins the colony in the main sanctuary where visitors can make friends with the cats who are just l onging for that new home, perhaps with you? Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary Seathwaite Cattery, Green Lane Rhodes Minnis, Near Canterbury CT4 6XU 01303 862243 www.rhodesminnis.co.uk