Cat sanctuary bids to move out of 'crumbling' home

Staff at a long-established cat sanctuary in Sheffield are hoping to raise funds to move out of their "crumbling" premises into a new facility.

Sarah Smith, manager at The Sheffield Cat Shelter in Broomhall, said the charity was "very lucky" to be gifted a Victorian house as a base more than 60 years ago.

But she said the four-storey building was in disrepair, with heating problems and only one of 10 rooms accessible for visitors or volunteers, which was "very restrictive".

Ms Smith said the number of cats had increased every year, so the charity needed "bigger, better premises".

The Sheffield Cat Shelter, which was established in 1897, is thought to be one of the oldest in the UK.

The charity has a network of foster homes plus 10 "cat rooms" in the Broomhall house.

It said the aim was to relocate in the next few years, ideally to premises on a good public transport route with a maximum of two floors.

A fundraising team has been employed to lead the initiative.

Ms Smith said the cost-of-living crisis had seen many owners give up their pets, as many already-struggling families could not afford expensive vets bills.

"It's heart-breaking," said Ms Smith.

"People are being forced to give up their cats in the cat's best interest.

"We hear so many stories."

She said many cats had been given to the shelter by owners who had moved into homes which did not allow animals, not simply because they "don't want them any more".

The centre is currently full with kittens and their mums, and has been since "kitten season 2024", bar a respite of two hours in February.

"We are overwhelmed," Ms Smith said.

"We are desperate to find somewhere; we would just love to be able to help more cats and people."

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