Nestled in the heart of Shrewsbury, Shropshire Cat Rescue provides a lifeline to homeless, stray, abandoned, and unwanted cats and kittens across Shropshire. The charity offers shelter, food, and veterinary care with a mission to rehome as many cats as possible. Additionally, they extend their care to feral cats, providing essential veterinary services like neutering, and educating the public on all aspects of feline health and welfare.

In 2009, the staff grew tired of watching their senior cats spend their days in tiny cages, so they created a feline retirement village to help them grow old in style. Today, the Retirement Village is thriving and so are the senior kitties within it.

A Retirement Village for Senior Cats

While kittens are often the stars of adoption drives, senior cats are frequently overlooked. Many older cats, despite being healthy, face euthanasia due to overcrowding in shelters. Shropshire Cat Rescue recognized this heartbreaking trend which is what led them to open their Retirement Village—an innovative sanctuary offering a dignified, comfortable home for aging felines.

Funded through donations and sponsorships, the Retirement Village features six luxury chalets and the aptly named “Moggie Mansion,” which is a communal space where cats can socialize at their leisure. Each chalet comfortably accommodates up to four cats, providing ample room for rest and relaxation.

The village is more than just a retirement home; it’s a community where senior cats can enjoy their twilight years surrounded by love and care. They roam freely during the day, receive plenty of affection from staff and visitors, and even have the option of curling up on welcoming laps.

Health monitoring is a top priority in the village, and the cats are weighed weekly, and the shelter’s veterinarian promptly addresses any concerns during regular checkups. This proactive care has made the village a trusted option for pet owners who can no longer care for their senior cats but want to ensure they live out their days comfortably.

How Do Many Senior Cats End Up At Shropshire Cat Rescue?

The team at Shropshire Cat Rescue put together the video below to help explain one of the more common reasons that cats come into their Retirement Village.

You can vote for this video at the Smiley Charity Films Awards by clicking on this link. These awards were created to celebrate the success of film in fundraising, to increase the exposure of charity films, and to encourage donations for good causes.

A Growing Vision

Shropshire Cat Rescue isn’t stopping at their current success. Alongside caring for their senior residents, they also operate a kitten nursery and maintain a robust adoption program for cats of all ages. Yet, the demand for their services continues to grow.

Their vision for the future includes relocating to a larger, 10-acre property to expand their facilities, especially the Retirement Village. This move would allow them to support even more cats in need, offering a safe and nurturing environment for every stage of feline life.

How You Can Help

Shropshire Cat Rescue’s compassionate approach to feline welfare depends on the generosity of the community. Whether you’re drawn to their Retirement Village story, their educational outreach, or their rescue and adoption efforts, there are many ways to support their mission.

Donations can be made online, helping them to expand their facilities and continue providing exceptional care for cats throughout Shropshire. Every contribution brings them closer to their dream of a larger sanctuary, ensuring that cats of all ages receive the care and respect they deserve.

You can also help by voting for the video that we shared above and by following them on social media to help create awareness.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit Shropshire Cat Rescue’s website and be part of a community dedicated to giving cats a second chance at a happy, healthy life.

Featured Image by Shropshire Cat Rescue

Did You Know?