NORTH NORFOLK CATS LIFELINE TRUST

THE DAY THE GYPSY MET THE MAYOR!

On Friday 22nd February, Sheringham's Mayor, Mr.Noel Gant and Mrs Gant paid an official visit to the North Norfolk Cats Lifeline Trust, a sanctuary for abandoned and destitute cats at South Hollow, Sheringwood, Beeston Regis.

He toured the cattery and met recent arrival, Gypsy, a very young kitten, who was rescued by a lady and brought to the sanctuary. She had been placed in a cardboard box without airholes or a blanket, dumped beside a refuse bin and left to die in freezing temperatures.

He also met Smiler, found by a lady walking her dog in woods. Smiler was literally starving to death. Mrs Gay Rees, founder of the NNCLT and Trust Administrator, told him of Nemo, an adult male left in a box tied up with string and left near a bottle bank in Sheringham, and of Julian a three week old kitten dumped in a wheelie bin in Upper Sheringham days before Christmas.

Mrs. Rees was happy to confirm that both cat and kitten had been homed by the sanctuary. However, Mrs. Rees stressed that not all cats are lucky enough to have such a happy ending, which is why the Mayor`s visit was so vital so as to highlight the work of the sanctuary and its importance to the community.

This is what Noel Gant had to say about his visit.  " I have this morning had the pleasure of being shown round South Hollow, having been officially asked to visit.   It was an education to see how cats that are left in various states of distress are brought in, are rehabilitated, and eventually re-homed. They have love and affection lavished on them. That's what cats need to thrive.  Sheringham is fortunate to have this facility, and I appreciate the work that Mrs. Rees and her dedicated band of helpers provide for us. "

On a lighter note, Mr Gant was presented with a framed copy of Mrs. Rees' poem about Kipper the Cattery Cat, and Mrs Gant received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, kindly donated by The Flower Centre, Sheringham.

Photographs kindly supplied by Carrie Moore