Osgodby trust raises £15k to expand retirement home for cats

The Lincolnshire Trust for Cats, based in Osgodby, has raised £15,000 to fund a large conservatory, which its cats “absolutely love”.

The trust runs a retirement scheme for cats whose owners, through various circumstances, can no longer offer them a home.

The retirement home, set up 10 years ago by Jain Hills, is set in seven acres of grounds, along with a rescue centre for 200 stray cats and kittens.

Jain said: “The retirement section has four centrally heated sitting rooms, enclosed outdoor areas and is south-facing.

“Last year we successfully raised £15,000 for the addition of a large Edwardian rose wood conservatory, which the cats absolutely love.”

Jain said the Lincolnshire Trust for Cats is the country’s only retirement home for 
cats.

She said the trust looks after about 85 cats who have come to Osgodby from all over the UK.

Jain said: “Some of the resident cats have owners who may have emigrated, while others have owners who are in retirement homes themselves.

“We encourage people to visit their cats where possible or for their relatives to do so and owners and relatives are sent regular photos and updates on their cats too.”

As a charitable organisation, the Trust relies solely on donations for its income.

It costs on average around £250,000 per year to run the Trust and without the help of donations it would be unable to care for the number of cats that it does.

Jain said: “We’ve got staff and a vet to pay for.

“We’ve got cats who have things like diabetes and epilepsy so they can be quite costly.”

The Trust is supported by a large database of members.

And funds are also raised at its charity shop in Market Rasen.

The Trust holds an annual open day which attracts more than 1,000 visitors. This year’s event will be on Saturday, September 3, from 11am until 4pm when the extensive catteries will be open to the public.

For more detail about how you can help go to lincoln
shiretrustforcats.co.uk/dona
tions.