A CAT rescue charity has found the ‘purr-fect’ place for its new HQ, but volunteers urgently need help making the site fit for felines and staff.

New Start Cat Rescue will be swapping its Malswick base near Newent for land behind the Texaco garage in Huntley.

But the six-mile move to the bigger premises can’t happen until partition walls have been built, the outside fenced off and the building painted.

“We have outgrown our current premises. Our landlords have been fantastic but it is time for us to move,” said spokeswoman Jackie Bahooshy.

“But whilst this is great news, it also presents a huge and daunting task to a bunch of ‘crazy cat ladies’.”

They need help preparing the new site, which will involve laying a large concrete base, plus help from plumbers, electricians and general handy­persons.

And the charity, run exclusively by volunteers, is also appealing for donations of fence panels, six-foot high double gates, plasterboard and insulation, plus a large shed for storage, and financial help to pay for all the improvements.

“We also need to buy new pens for our isolation ward for sick and recovering cats,” said Mrs Bahooshy.

“This will cost around £8,000, so we are asking for sponsorship of a pen or part pen, or perhaps people would like to purchase a plaque to be hung on our ‘Wall of Supporters’?”

Kitchen units for the pens to sit on are also wanted, and help is needed re-siting the boiler from the existing premises.” 

Meanwhile, the volunteers are delighted that the new HQ will have the ‘godsend’ of a flushing toilet to replace their old chemical one.

The charity, which was founded six years ago and currently houses 40 to 60 cats and kittens a month, has been boosted by the announcement of two new patrons, in the shape of bestselling thriller novelist Stephen Leather and ‘chicklit’ author Christina Jones.

Mr Leather said: “I have three cats of my own and they were all street cats that I invited into my home, so I appreciate what New Start does as a charity.

“They never put a cat down and over the years have homed thousands. I am pleased to be part of such an amazing group.”

Christina Jones, who will be helping with fundraising and the move, said: “I’m very excited. I’ll do anything to help animals.”

New Start Cat Rescue has strong links with the community, visiting Brow-

nies, Beavers and St John Ambulance groups to talk about animal care and welfare and also visits residential homes for the elderly.

It has links with Hartpury College, takes on work experience youngsters and Duke of Edinburgh Award students and has several adults with special needs as volunteers.

If you can help with the upcoming move, contact the charity via private message on its Facebook page www.facebook.

com/newstartcatrescue, email [email protected] or ring 07510 134805.