Cat Rescue Centre Appeals for Help Amid Relocation Crisis
Precious Paws Cat Rescue is urgently seeking homes for 25 cats and kittens before Christmas, after receiving news that its lease will not be renewed. The rescue centre, based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, is struggling to find a new location after its landlord, Affinity Water, requested that it vacate the premises.
Facing Relocation Challenges
Owner Jacqui Schafer expressed her devastation over the situation, explaining that the lease for the current property will expire on 22 December. Affinity Water clarified that the lease was initially signed “with no right to renewal”, but granted an extra month due to the holiday season. Ms Schafer and her team now face the difficult task of rehoming the rescue cats before the centre has to close.
“We were hoping to stay for longer,” Ms Schafer shared, adding that her request to remain on a smaller portion of the rented land was denied, leaving them no choice but to vacate.
A History of Rescue and Care
Over the last five years, Precious Paws has rescued and cared for about 450 cats, many of which had been abandoned due to their owners’ inability to afford vet bills or food. Ms Schafer recounted several heartbreaking stories, including cats left at the centre’s doorstep and even kittens found in a cardboard box on a rainy morning last Christmas.
Thanks to the dedicated team and volunteers, many of these cats have found new homes, though some, like those found last Christmas, took nearly a year to be adopted. “The others, we’ve managed to pull through with lots of medication,” Ms Schafer explained, highlighting the time and care needed to rehabilitate these animals.
The Call for Support: Foster, Adopt, or Help Find a New Location
Ms Schafer is now appealing to the public for urgent support. She encourages anyone willing to foster or adopt one of the cats to visit the rescue centre’s website. With the future of Precious Paws uncertain, she also asked for help finding a new location to continue their mission of saving abandoned cats.
“Cats give you so much joy,” Ms Schafer added. “They’re companions for anybody who is on their own. It’s all worth it. So much love, so much joy back – what more could you ask for?”
Landlord’s Response
In a statement, Affinity Water explained that the lease agreement, which began in December 2019, was for a fixed term of five years with no right to renewal. They added that they now require the premises for “operational purposes in the wider public interest” but have extended the tenancy until 22 January 2025 to provide additional time for Precious Paws to relocate.
This extension gives Precious Paws a bit more time, but the pressure remains high to find homes for the cats and a new facility before the deadline.