You're welcome to take a tour of our lovely cat shelter in Swanwick, in return for a donation of cat food or litter. To make an appointment, or to discuss rehoming one of our rescue cats, please get in touch using one of the methods below. We regret we are unable to rehome kittens under six months to homes where there is a child under five.

Opening hours: Visits by appointment only please. Tues-Sun (closed Mon), 11am-4pm. Volunteers 8am-6pm.
Email: janelynegar@gmail.com
Call: 07941 806536.
Adoption fee: £75 (£20 deposit to reserve)
We also have a boarding cattery that helps support the rescue side of things, check out our beautiful cattery on www.woodlandnookboardingcattery.com and our fabulous reviews on yell.com

Sunday 30 March 2014

Charcoal Charlie, a poem by Hannah

Woodland Nook volunteer Hannah has written this poem about an owner’s devotion to their pet.


Charcoal Charlie 

I wake to hear a purring sound 
As I climb into my dressing gown 
I wander to the kitchen light
My furry love is sure in sight 

“Good Morning Charlie,” I welcome him 
A ball of fluff on a charcoal skin 
He welcomes me with his cries in the air 
A meow and purr to his despair 

His bowl all empty I know it’s true 
It’s what an owner has to do 
I place his meat on silver tray 
And watch my Charlie eat away 

A buzz of bees as I open the door 
I know my Charlie’s wanting more 
His feed and platter all cleaned away 
And hear his paws then scatter at bay 

Go on my puss be free to have fun 
Cos my Charlie's day has just begun 

Hannah, 2014



Saturday 22 March 2014

How many feet?

How many feet?

I’m sure Thomas has more than four feet in this photo! Happily asleep in the igloo bed, Thomas is one of the happiest cats we have seen at Woodland Nook. He loves a cuddle and, when you pick him up, he drapes over your shoulder and purrs... and purrs. Could you give lovely Thomas the home he deserves?

He loves a head rub, too!

What a handome chap!

Thursday 20 March 2014

A new romance? Loulou and Basil


Pssst! We have some gossip for you! Sources close to Woodland Nook tell us that there’s a new romance at the shelter! Basil and Loulou, both from Crete, have developed a close friendship and have frequently been seen snuggling up together. They declined to comment.


Tuesday 18 March 2014

Bella Mou - urgently needs a new home




Beautiful Bella Mou has sadly, and through no fault of her own, been returned to Woodland Nook. This beautiful young lady is rather confused and it is vital that we now find her the wonderful 'Forever' home that she deserves. 

She originally came to us from Crete, but don't worry, she understands English now and has come to terms with our terrible weather. 

She has recently been living as an indoor cat with a dog, but prior to that was happily going outside and living with another young cat. She is a little shy again at the moment but has so much love to give. She's talkative and fussy, a real lap cat. Someone out there must fall in love with her!

Monday 17 March 2014

A day in the life of a Woodland Nook volunteer

Today's blog post is by Louise, one of the volunteers at Woodland Nook. 
Louise, a volunteer at Woodland Nook
It’s Monday morning – but no groans from me. It’s my volunteering slot at Woodland Nook, our local cat shelter. 
Once inside the gates the cats and kittens greet me with miaows, playfulness and general ‘where’s my breakfast?!’ sort of behaviour. If you know cats, you’ll know what I mean ☺

Cerise has now gone to her Forever Home
We get to know the cats as individuals – they all have their own funny little ways, their likes and dislikes, their favourite hidey holes, their ways of getting our attention! Once breakfast is cleared and washed up (we have a dishwasher, all mod cons here…) it’s time to sort the litter trays and make a note of any of the cats having ‘toilet troubles’. The wonderful Jane (who runs the shelter and who has done for the last 23 years … brilliantly!) has a diary so we can make notes of those kitties who may turn their sweet little noses up at breakfast, who may have decorated the litter trays in a rather artistic way, etc. Jane also is our top feline nurse and records all meds given to our kitties not feeling on top of the world.
Loulou playing in the lounge

Cuddles and fun are all part of the ‘job’ here at Woodland Nook. Giving our cats time and our attention is a priority. So it’s out with the laser pointer on the floor and a quick game of hunt the material mouse in the scalextric car before I’m off in search of my brush and pan to sweep the floors. 
After a brew, a natter with Jane and a cat on my knee I’m off towards the kettle again to fill up the bucket. A few of the cats still think the mop is just one big hairy playmate and it entertains them enormously! 
Mittens has happily been rehomed 

Checking for any blankets which need a freshen up in the washer, I spot a cat watching me. They know our routines, he’s waiting for more cuddles or perhaps I’ll put down another bowl of food right under his nose. I don’t need persuading twice.
Daisy by the castle - still waiting for a new family
We ensure all the cats from Woodland Nook have a wonderful life whilst they are with us. Whether they be from down the road or those we take in from Crete who are without a home, we look after each and every one of them as though they were our very own. Sky TV is on for them, as is the radio! The cats are absolutely treated like kings – in fact they even have their own kitty castle in their cat garden!
The greatest satisfaction, however, is when we say goodbye and wave them off to their forever home. We love to hear how they are getting on!
When we’re not at the shelter itself, we’re busy trying to raise funds and awareness of our kitties in need.  There’s the annual tea party event in June, our annual garden party in July and in October we hope to even have a Halloween fundraising event! We are so very grateful to each and every one of you who spend time raising funds and looking after our very precious cats.
I couldn’t think of a nicer and more rewarding thing to do at the start of my week. I love Monday mornings!

Thursday 13 March 2014

William - will perform only for Dreamies


This sequence of photos is best viewed in my computer photo album, clicking through them quickly  to see the magical appearance of William. Sadly, I can’t recreate that effect on the blog so you’ll just have to imagine it. 

Shy William needs quite a bit of persuasion to come out from his hiding place behind the Lindee Lu. This is the view (above) that most people get. 



There’s only one thing which will tempt him out... Dreamies. Sprinkle them just out of reach and he’ll pop up to take them before hiding again. 



If you’re very lucky, he may even emerge far enough to give you a full view!



Here he comes... 



There you go! Meet William! 

Sunday 9 March 2014

Lively Loulou



Loulou is a real livewire and has been chasing around Woodland Nook with all the joys of spring. She particularly loves the laser pointer and gets excited before it’s even switched on!


Loulou is very friendly and has beautiful, soft fur. But she’ll soon let you know when she’s had enough fuss by giving you a quick nip! But don’t let that put you off as Loulou would make a wonderful pet! 

Wednesday 5 March 2014

A happy ending for Twinks


After the sad loss of Pippa, it’s time for some happier news, so today we have the story of Twinks, who was adopted from Woodland Nook by volunteers Lisa and Tom. Over to Lisa:

Happy in bed: Twinks at her forever home
In April 2013, Twinks’ mum, Twinkle, sadly died giving birth to Twinks so she and her sibling were left to fend for themselves.  Luckily, Jane was holidaying in Crete at the time and braved the wild surroundings to catch Twinks after hearing the poor babies crying and crying!  It is thought that one of the other villa cats had been feeding them to keep them alive. 

Jane managed to catch Twinks but, despite many attempts and laying traps, couldn’t reach her sibling. 

Baby Twinks was skin and bone when she was rescued

Jane brought baby Twinks to the safety of a rescue centre in Crete when she was five or six weeks old and nothing but skin and bone.  The lovely people treated her cat flu and she came through the other end a lovely, affectionate little girl. 

A generous supporter of Woodland Nook, Marlene Bennett, then paid for her flight over to the UK where she joined the ranks of the shelter and settled in straight away. She quickly fell in love with shy boy, Dennis, and they were often found cuddled up together up in the warmth of a Lindy Lou pen looking “caught-out” whenever the pen door was opened! 

Twinks relaxes at Woodland Nook Cat Rescue shelter

Twinks and Dennis looking caught-out!

Surprisingly, Twinks wasn’t snapped up as fast as we thought and she stayed at the shelter for a little while until Tom and I could not resist any longer and brought her home in January.  Twinks’ was shy at first but as soon as she saw our other cats, Lola, Bailey and Archie, she really came out of her shell with us which just goes to show she loves the company of other animals as well as humans.


Twinks in the sunshine at home

She has slowly gained more weight and she loves fresh fish, crying out loud for it!  She loves to cuddle up to me, purring so loudly and even sleeping under the duvet with me.  She loves the heat, whether it be cuddling up to the radiator or basking in the sunlight.  She adores wrestling with Archie and I love hearing the little mews they make when they see each other!  They are perfect companions for each other (Archie is 22 months) and I can’t wait to see them grow up together.

Lisa



Sunday 2 March 2014

RIP Pippa



This week was a sad one at Woodland Nook as we said farewell to Pippa, our elderly tabby cat friend. 

Pippa came to the shelter after her owners moved house in the depths of a snowy winter, leaving her behind. She was already showing signs of illness as her mouth was swollen; after examination by a vet this was revealed to be a tumour. 

But Pippa battled on and lived with her condition for another year. She wasn't keen on other cats but always appreciated human company and was a gentle old soul. It's not the same at Woodland Nook without Pippa – the first living room seems empty without her constant presence on the sofa. 

RIP Pippa. We'll miss you.