Harley’s Angels Hull has launched a fundraising campaign after taking in huge numbers of poorly cats and kittens
Mr Hamilton, otherwise known as Ham, who is now in the care of Harley’s Angels Hull.(Image: Harley’s Angels)
A Hull animal rescue has issued a desperate plea for donations saying it is now at breaking point following a huge influx of poorly cats. Charlie Marie Kenealy, 33, has helped to rescue and foster hundreds of cats and kittens over the last two years, volunteering for Jenny’s Cat House while also running her own Harley’s Angels Hull.
She set up Harley’s Angels Hull a year ago to be a simple ‘scan and reunite’ group, but it has since grown into a busy foster-based rescue service with Charlie admitting “when you find cats living in awful conditions, it’s impossible to walk away”. Now, however, Charlie says the rescue has reached a critical point, having endured one of the hardest months ever, following an influx of cats and kittens.
One cat – Mr Hamilton Ham – needed to have a leg amputated, while other cats and kittens have been taken in seriously underweight and riddled with fleas and worm. As vets bills for vital treatment mount, the rescue has launched a Just Giving fundraising campaign in a bid to help cover soaring costs.
Charlie said: “In just two weeks, we’ve taken in four mums and 17 kittens, many of the kittens needing hand rearing or supplementation. One of those mums, Penny, is only around six months old herself and weighed just 2kg when she came into our care with three tiny kittens.
“All of them were severely underweight, riddled with fleas and worms, and anaemic. Since then, two of the kittens have collapsed at separate times, requiring emergency hospital care. In just one week, this family alone has needed seven vet visits, with costs already reaching around £1,000 and still rising.
“In the middle of this, we also took on the care of Mr Hamilton Ham who came to us with a badly dislocated leg. After initially being treated, it sadly dislocated again, and he had to undergo an amputation.
“He should have had a straightforward recovery and gone on to live happily as a tripod. But Ham developed a serious infection and required intensive veterinary care, including wound management, sedation, and further procedures.
“He’s now back home with me in foster care, receiving around the clock support, but his condition will remain uncertain. His veterinary bill alone has now reached £4,882.98, yet we are ever so thankful for the round the clock intensive care that has been provided to Ham, especially when it was looking more like we would lose him just under a week ago.”
Charlie says the rescue is now at a crossroads and urgently needs funds to continue. She also told of the huge emotional toll running rescue services has on its volunteers.
She continued: “As a small rescue, we are now at breaking point. We are struggling to raise enough funds not only to keep our doors open, but to cover Ham’s urgent surgery and aftercare. We’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to pause all new intakes, despite knowing how many cats in Hull still desperately need help.
“Something that is rarely spoken about is the level of pressure rescue volunteers face. Alongside the emotional and financial strain, we are often subjected to abusive messages and phone calls at all hours, been left horrific messages, told we don’t care, or that we shouldn’t call ourselves a rescue.
“The reality is, saying ‘no’ is never because we don’t care – it’s because taking on more animals when we have no space, funding or capacity would become a serious welfare concern for the cats already in our care. We are constantly trying to balance compassion with responsibility, and that’s an incredibly difficult place to be.
“Rescue work is something people often don’t see the full reality of. Volunteers are juggling jobs, families, physical health conditions and mental health struggles, yet we do it simply because we care. I rely heavily on my team and partner for support. But rescue gives me purpose, and I couldn’t do any of this without the incredible people around me.”
The Just Giving fundraiser has a target of £5,000 to cover Ham’s treatment and aftercare, and it so far has £875. Anything above £5,000 will be split between Harley’s Angels Hull and Jenny’s Cat House.
Harley’s Angels Hull also has an Amazon wishlist, where supporters can buy pet food and other essentials that are sent directly to the rescue centre.
Charlie added: “If 5,000 people donated just £1, it would clear our current debt and allow us to continue helping cats in need. I love what I do with my whole heart, but today I feel completely heartbroken and defeated. Most importantly, we need to highlight the importance of neutering. Kittens like Penny should never be having babies and without change, this cycle will continue.”
You can find the page to make a donation to the Just Giving appeal here.
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