'Struggling' cat rescue centre pays £7k vet bill

A "struggling" cat rescue centre said it "cannot express how eternally grateful" it is after its supporters rallied round to help it settle a £7,000 vet bill.

Friends of Felines, based in Halstead, cares for and helps rehome cats from across Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire.

Earlier this week, however, co-owner Penelope White told the BBC the centre was at risk of closure after owing thousands of pounds worth of vet bills.

But the charity said it had now been able to "fully pay-off" its debt and fund treatment for cats suffering from a viral disease thanks to the generosity of the community.

In a statement published online, the rescue centre said: "What a week it has been - from the very bottom of our hearts, we cannot thank you all enough for the support.

"As a rescue centre with cats in need you do not know what is around the corner and we couldn't do what we do without you.

"The food donations have been absolutely phenomenal and we cannot express enough how eternally grateful we are for you."

The centre's outgoings range from between £4,000 to £6,000 each month, with the money often going out "just as quickly" as it goes in.

But over the Christmas period the charity's bills "trebled" due to the number of elderly cats it took in, as well as those suffering from a Feline Infectious Peritonitis, a viral disease of cats.

As a result, Ms White previously said the centre, often home to as many as 50 cats at any one time, would be "ignoring the phone" for a "good couple of months".

The animal lover described the trying winter period as "the perfect storm" and that the centre would have to "pull its horn in" if it wanted to attempt to stay afloat.

"We do this for the [cats of] this world who wouldn't have ever experienced love and kindness without our help," added Ms White.

"We cannot express enough how thankful we are to you all in this time of need."

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