Sheffield Cat Shelter Seeks New Home to Keep Up with Growing Need
The Sheffield Cat Shelter, a cherished sanctuary that’s been rescuing and rehoming felines for over a century, is now in urgent need of help itself.
Located in a four-storey Victorian house in Broomhall gifted to the charity more than 60 years ago, the shelter is struggling with a deteriorating building that no longer meets its needs.
“It’s crumbling,” said Sarah Smith, manager of the shelter. “We’re very lucky to have been gifted this space, but time has taken its toll. Only one of our 10 cat rooms is accessible to visitors or volunteers—it’s incredibly restrictive.”
Founded in 1897, the Sheffield Cat Shelter is believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in the UK. Alongside its main premises, the charity operates a network of foster homes, but space is limited—and demand is growing.
“The number of cats needing our help rises every year,” Smith explained. “We urgently need bigger, better premises.”
Ideally, the team hopes to relocate to a new site within a few years—somewhere on a good public transport route, and no more than two floors, to improve accessibility for both cats and caretakers.
To make that dream a reality, a dedicated fundraising team has been brought on board.
The need is more pressing than ever. With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, more families are being forced to make painful decisions. Rising veterinary costs and pet-unfriendly housing mean many can no longer keep their beloved cats.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Smith. “People aren’t giving up their pets because they don’t love them—they’re doing it because they can’t provide for them. We hear so many stories like that.”
The shelter has been running at capacity since the start of kitten season in 2024, with only a brief two-hour respite in February.
“We’re overwhelmed,” Smith admitted. “We’re desperate to find a new space. We just want to help more cats—and the people who love them.”
If you’re interested in supporting the move or learning more about the shelter’s mission, now is the time to get involved. Every donation and share could bring them one step closer to giving more cats a safe place to land.