About us

                          Cat Rescue Chippenham 

                         2023 Christmas Appeal

This year has been very challenging for all Rescues but   particularly so for small ones like ourselves who have to step in almost on a daily basis when the larger much better funded ones are unable or unwilling to help a cat in need.  By the end of this year our amazing group of volunteers will have helped and rehomed well over 250  cats and kittens. By far the largest cost we have is vet bills and have funded care at 16 different vets throughout the county where no one else was willing to step in and save a cat or kitten from care that would give them every chance of a long and happy life as well of course as those who have come into our care or been rehomed with an ongoing medical condition. October saw a new peak for us with vet bills of over £6000 meaning this year they will be well in excess of £30,000 for the first time.  It’s the kind donations we receive from rehoming and from regular supporters that enable us to say yes, we are desperate to avoid having to say no, something we have never done in almost 30 years. So this year we are asking  anyone who has come into contact with us or supports us through social media if they could spare a few pounds to help us carry on the work we do. We know times are hard for many people and understand if it’s just too big an ask right now. However if you are able to help here are the ways you can do it.

  1. Through our website – just click the donate button at the bottom of any page    www.catrescuechippenham.org.uk
  2. Direct to our Bank Account, account number  41581392, sort code  40-17-17 name  cat rescue
  3. By cheque – Please send to Jean Gilbert, Cat Rescue. 36 Sadlers Mead, Chippenham, SN15 3PB

If you are kind enough  to donate you can  email us a photo of your cat(s) and we will put them on our daily Facebook ‘big thankyou’ post

We could, as you know, fill many pages with details of cats and kittens we have helped this year, Here is just one-

‘Hello, My name is Suzie and I had been roaming the streets having been dumped by my owners as I was unable to produce any more kittens for them due to the cancerous tumour growing on my Mammary Gland. They could have treated it really early but chose not to so it grew to the size of a crème egg and you can see it in my photo below.

I was so happy to be taken into care by Cat Rescue and they  paid for my big operation to remove it and cared for me afterwards. Even better they have found me the perfect Mummy who I have never had before. I wake up every day thinking I have gone to cat heaven and then realise ‘ no not today, I have a lovely new life and am going to enjoy every moment’  Here I am on ‘our’ bed.’

Thank all you so much in advance

Jean and all at Cat Rescue

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Cat Rescue in Chippenham was started over 20 years ago by cat lover Jean Gilbert and a friend who has since retired after both originally supporting another cat rescue organisation for some time. The rescue typically rehomes up to 250 cats and kittens in any one year. She has foster mothers dotted around Wiltshire who also care for the cats.  The main foster mums as well as taking in the usual range of cats also specialise in area such working with  feral cats and also hand raising kittens. We also have some been successful socialising of feral kittens. They group tend to have up to 50 cats with them at any one time and get through dozens of tins / pouches of cat food every day. The rescue is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and relies on donations to help pay for food and of course vet bills which runs into many thousands of pounds each year.

Anyone who thinks they could give a cat or kitten a suitable home or would like to help the rescue  can contact Mrs Gilbert on (01249) 653443  alternatively look at our ‘how you can help’ page.