Blackpool cat rescue charity reminding residents that kittens are also for life and not just for Christmas

A Blackpool cat rescue charity is reminding residents that cats are more than just a present this Christmas after the group continued to rescue strays from across the resort this year.
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Tender Paws Cat Rescue on Lytham Road in South Shore helps stray, injured and abandoned cats across the Fylde coast and it said the last thing it wants to see is more cats abandoned across the Fylde coast.

The charity was founded by Chrissie Meryem from St Anne’s and New-Zealand born Christina “Kiwi” Walsh from Marton in 2016 and the group received its charitable status earlier this year.

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Chrissie said: “It’s a 20-year commitment when you buy a kitten and it’s the same as any animal, they’re not just for Christmas they are for the life of the animal.

The Lytham Road charity shopThe Lytham Road charity shop
The Lytham Road charity shop

“There are already a lot of cats on the streets as strays in Blackpool because of how transient it can be. People will come here and get a flat and a kitten and when they go they leave the cat.

“I don’t think a lot of people realise how many strays there are on the streets of Blackpool and also that the cold weather can result in cats dying of hypothermia. When it really dips to freezing and below, they get weaker and weaker because they can’t get in the wheelie bins for example.”

Despite the lockdown and the temporary closure of the resale shop, the group has continued to carry on with its rescue and rehome work through the pandemic and achieved its goal of becoming a registered charity in May.

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Chrissie said: “When lockdown occurred in March, we had to close our shop but we never closed the rescue side. We still went out with our PPE and we socially distanced ourselves and we brought in an awful lot of cats from March onwards while the pandemic was ongoing and we are still doing it now. At the moment we have got more than 50 cats in our care which is a lot.

Tender Paws Cat Rescue on Lytham Road was founded by New-Zealand born Christina "Kiwi" Walsh from Marton and Chrissie Meryem from St Anne's in 2016.Tender Paws Cat Rescue on Lytham Road was founded by New-Zealand born Christina "Kiwi" Walsh from Marton and Chrissie Meryem from St Anne's in 2016.
Tender Paws Cat Rescue on Lytham Road was founded by New-Zealand born Christina "Kiwi" Walsh from Marton and Chrissie Meryem from St Anne's in 2016.

“Finally becoming a charity in May was such a brilliant boost for all our volunteers and supporters. We were very pleased about that one as it will open new doors for us next year, without a shadow of a doubt, and it will help so many more cats, which is what we’re wanting doing this all for anyway.

Despite the pandemic, Chrissie said the charity has continued to receive support and she is looking forward to next year.

She said: “As well as becoming a charity, donations are pouring through the door which is fantastic. To get lots of donations into the shop, which you need to keep running, as well as customers is good. We’re hoping to do much more in the new year on the fundraising side which in turn we hope to get more facilities for our rescued cats.”

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Chrissie said the charity is always grateful for any donations and these can be dropped off at the Lytham Road shop. More details about the charity can be found via the Facebook page - Tender Paws Cat Rescue.

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