Cat sanctuary raises £13,000 after fallen tree destroys pen and cats escape in Storm Darragh

A cat sanctuary near Stratford-upon-Avon has raised nearly £13,000 after a fallen tree destroyed a newly-built pen housing rescued cats during Storm Darragh, causing five cats to escape.

Avon Cat Rescue says three of the cats have now been found, with two still missing after the damage caused by Storm Darragh.

Rosemary Spicer, a trustee of the Avon Cat Rescue, said: "A huge branch of a very old tree fell right on top of one of our cat pens and completely demolished it.

"There were five cats in situ, and they all vanished."

The sanctuary put out a Facebook post to ask for donations for repairs.

A recent update adds: "Three traumatised cats have been found. Two still missing."

Ms Spicer said: "There was one cat that we found that was still in there, he couldn't move with fear, I think, but he's okay.

"It was terrifying for them. Now we're going to have to have tree surgeons and chainsaws and all sorts to clear up, so that will be more scary for them as well."

She added the pen that was destroyed was only recently built, featuring brand new electrics and lighting, and cost several thousand pounds to build.

After the sanctuary's facebook post she said: "People have offered to help, builders have offered help, tree surgeons have offered free help.

People have offered to take the cats temporarily, so everyone's been so kind."

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