Ford’s factory cat finds new home after the motor giant shuts its Leamington Spa
Posted on Thursday, July 19 @ 19:23:27 BST by jenvetadmin
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Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, rehoming around 60,000 cats and kittens a year through its nationwide network of 29 Adoption Centres and 260 voluntary-run Branches.
They also promote responsible cat ownership through education and information and run comprehensive neutering programmes involving approximately 100,000 cats every year.
Reg Charity 203644
A stray cat who lived at the Ford motor factory in Leamington Spa has been found a new home after the factory closed yesterday (Thursday, July 19).
Tortoiseshell puss Sweep had been cared for by staff for the past five years, but the closure of the foundry meant her future was uncertain. But the lovable puss has now been found a loving new home to spend her retirement by Cats Protection’s Mid Warwickshire Branch.
Branch Co-ordinator Chris Osborne said: “Cats Protection had been providing food to Ford staff to feed Sweep for some time, so when the closure was announced, they got in touch to see if we could find her a new home. “Sweep had been a valued member of the team at Ford, keeping the rat population down and providing a bit of light relief. After so many years of dedicated service, it was important we found the right home for her retirement.”
If you would know anyone who would like to offer one of the 60 kittens or 25 adult cats in Cats Protection’s Mid Warwickshire Branch a home, please contact 01926 334849 or email midwarwickcats@hotmail.com. More information about the work of the Branch can be found at www.midwarwick.cats.org.uk
Click 'read more' for the rest of this article and Cat Protection info.
Ford worker Derek Reader, who took a retirement package after 30 years service, was the staff member charged with keeping an eye on Sweep.
He said: “I have been taking care of Sweep for about five years now, and don’t mind admitting that I’ve got quite fond of her. “Once she gets to know people she can be very sweet and friendly and it always cheered up my day to see her. She became very popular with the staff too and everyone would always look out for her. “Obviously when we heard the foundry was shutting down, I was concerned for Sweep, particularly as it would be very dangerous for her when the machinery was dismantled.
“If we didn’t already have a dog I certainly would have considered taking Sweep in myself, but I am afraid my dog isn’t really keen on cats.”
New owner Sharon Hayes phoned the charity to offer Sweep a home after seeing an appeal in a local newspaper.
She said: “My father worked at the Ford foundry for 30 years and died a few years ago aged 70. As I am a cat lover, I thought that giving Sweep a home would be a lovely way to both help her and remember my dad.
“Sweep is semi-feral, so she is still extremely shy but once she settles in, I am sure she will love it here – we have a 70ft garden and allotments behind that, so she will still have plenty of freedom.”
To obtain a photograph of Sweep or to arrange an interview, please contact Michaela Phillips in Cats Protection’s Media Office on 01825 741358 or email michaela.phillips@cats.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, rehoming around 60,000 cats and kittens per year through a national network of 29 Adoption Centres and 261 volunteer-run Branches.
2. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644. The charity’s vision is to ensure that every cat is given the chance of a life where it will be treated with kindness and understanding of its needs
3. Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, rehoming around 60,000 cats and kittens a year through its nationwide network of 29 Adoption Centres and 260 voluntary-run Branches. We also promote responsible cat ownership through education and information and run comprehensive neutering programmes involving approximately 100,000 cats every year.
Reg Charity 203644
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