Sussex barns and farms needed for Cats Protections felines

Cats Protection is appealing for people with large gardens, stables or outdoor workplaces to give sanctuary to these cats who are unsuited to being traditional family pets.

Elin Williams, Cats Protection regional community behaviourist, said: “Inbetweener cats thrive in outdoor spaces where they have shelter and food but only minimal interaction with people.

"These aren’t your usual lap cats but they can still be good companions.

“They are comfortable living alongside people and will form a bond of trust, but they often shy away from being touched.

"Given time, some will venture indoors, but on their own terms and in their own time. These are independent cats who value the freedom of an outdoor life.”

Tiggy is an inbetweener cat who was successfully rehomed by Cats Protection’s centre in Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath.

Tiggy is loving her work (Image: Cats Protection) The tabby and white stray had a sorry start in life. At four months old she was rescued from the streets with two litter mates and had to spend time in the centre’s isolation unit while her health issues were treated.

After three months in care, she had recovered well but remained nervous around people so it was felt that she would be best suited to an alternative home.

But fortunes improved when Julie Miller of East Grinstead fell for Tiggy’s charms.

“We have stables and a barn and were looking for a cat to help with pest control,” said Julie. “The yard was lonely and didn’t feel complete without a cat to greet you. That all changed when Tiggy arrived and made it her ultimate playground.

“She sleeps in our barn and has earned the title of yard manager. Nothing comes in or out without her knowing about it. She sits by the gate waiting for my car to pull up and follows me down the fields, sitting in the wheelbarrow or jumping on fence posts. She can come and go as she pleases and is thriving in a stress free environment.”

And Tiggy has kept up her end of the bargain. “She’s proven to be an enthusiastic mouser, small enough to get under the pallets in the wood store, and we’re quite proud of her record,” said Julie. “She even performs pest control duties at the farm next door now as she has ours under control. She’s a pretty street wise cat.

“She had a rough start in life but Tiggy’s a dear little thing, utterly adorable. Every animal deserves a second chance. I’m glad that Tiggy really is living her best life with us.”

The centre has more than 15 similar cats waiting for their safe outdoor homes. A lack of space and ability to get away from things they find stressful can make being in care difficult for these cats.

Among their number is one-year-old Winnie, who was rescued from a multi-cat household. She has settled well and revealed a playful side. She has even been known to drown her toy mouse in her water bowl, possibly showing her instinctual hunting prowess through play.

Eight-year-old Thomas arrived at the centre when his owner was taken into care. Nervous at first, the handsome black and white boy has gained in confidence and he would suit a quiet country garden or rural workplace where he can relax outdoors.

Thomas needs a home (Image: Cats Protection) Three-year-old ginger and white cat Arlo was also rescued from a multi-cat household where he enjoyed life outdoors with limited contact. He would thrive in a rural setting such as a farm, small holding or stables. Arlo has had dental work in care but is in good health.

Could you have a job for Arlo? (Image: Cats Protection) Advice is available to help settle the cats in their new environments and they will be neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms.

Danielle Draper, manager at Cats Protection Chelwood Gate said. “Sussex and Surrey have many farms, stables and houses with large gardens, so we’re appealing to them to find homes where these inbetweener cats can flourish. And the sooner the better.

Find out more about these and the other cats looking for homes, visit cats.org.uk/ncac or email workingcats@ncac.cats.org.uk.