Donkeys become purr-fect new neigh-bours for 150 moggies at Cats Protection’s National Cat Centre

Donkeys become purr-fect new neigh-bours for 150 moggies at Cats Protection’s National Cat Centre

Three donkeys are settling into their new home at Cats Protection’s national head office as part of a partnership between two of the UK’s best-loved animal charities.

Twinkle, Holly and Star became the latest residents at the charity’s National Cat Centre in Chelwood Gate, Sussex, after Cats Protection joined forces with The Donkey Sanctuary, based in Sidmouth, Devon.

The trio, who have been in the care of The Donkey Sanctuary since 2012, are now settling into their new paddock at the National Cat Centre, where neighbours will include the 150 cats currently looking for new owners.

Cats Protection’s Head of Operations Tanya Vigus said the charity was thrilled to welcome the donkeys to the site, in a rural location in the Ashdown Forest.

She said: “Cats Protection is very pleased to be partnering with The Donkey Sanctuary, which does so much work both in the UK and abroad to protect and care for donkeys. We are always keen to work alongside other animal charities which share our beliefs and hopes for a better world for all animals.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Twinkle, Star and Holly to our headquarters and we know they will be much-loved by both visitors and staff alike.

"We very much hope that the partnership will promote the respective rehoming schemes of both charities."

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Welfare Adviser for Sussex Mark Kerr, said: “These lovely three donkeys had quite a challenging start to life before coming in to our care and now that they are fully recovered I am delighted to see them settling in to their new home. They’re such friendly, inquisitive donkeys that I know they will adore the attention from all the animal-loving visitors at Cats Protection.

“A number of our Donkey Sanctuary farms in Devon have also rehomed much-loved cats from Cats Protection and they are really popular with visitors and staff.”

Cats Protection’s National Cat Centre is home to the UK’s largest cat rehoming centre. A popular local attraction, the site also includes a nature trail, café and shop, so the donkeys are guaranteed lots of visitors.

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity, helping around 200,000 cats and kittens every year through a national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 32 centres.

The Donkey Sanctuary supports projects to alleviate the suffering of donkeys in 35 countries worldwide, including sanctuaries across Europe, where more than 18,800 donkeys and mules have been cared for, and major projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico, where donkey welfare is improved through community education and veterinary work. The charity also provides assisted therapy for children and adults with additional needs and visits to care homes in the local community from its centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, Manchester and Sidmouth.