Venture Farm Cat Rescue, Mattishall, NR20 3LB

We visited Venture Farm Cat Rescue on 30 October 2015 as they had requested a grant from the Chapman Trust to upgrade their existing cat accommodation. First impressions were very good as their double height, close-boarded entrance gates were locked to prevent feral cats going out on the road. The garage of the owner’s bungalow has been converted to a Treatment Centre, but is also a volunteer’s rest area and is welcoming, light, airy and clean.

We were met by Trustee and Treasurer, Hazel Hatton, who showed us around part of their four acres. There was a lot of activity on site from volunteers - one was also a Trustee - who were all unfailingly cheerful, busy and motivated, completing a variety of tasks from sorting out donated goods, washing up cat bowls or, in the case of one, taking home a young non-driver volunteer. As is usual, most animal sanctuaries are far out in the country.

Well maintained concreted paths outside and hard flooring areas inside were swept and clean. All animals (including three peacocks) were healthy, contented and well cared for. The owner, a lady in her early 70s, lives on site. Her working day begins at 6.30am, ending perhaps some 12-14 hours later. All her time and energy is entirely focussed on the cats and their well-being whilst day-to-day administrative tasks are undertaken by Hazel and her team.

Venture Farm Cat Rescue also run two shops which are well-stocked and staffed.  Several old sheds at Venture Farm are used to store good quality donations of clothes which are sorted and cleaned, ready to re-supply the shops. Whoever is behind organising the clothing donations has a very good system of cleaning, categorising and assembling them into clearly defined and attractive seasonal storage groups.  

We met another volunteer in charge of collecting and organising toys, bric-a-brac and electrical goods. His system is equally impressive.  He was friendly and enthusiastic. It’s clear that these volunteers, knowing precisely what the public want to buy in their shops, are more than willing to work extremely hard to make a success of the donations.            

Venture Farm Cat Rescue’s website is informative, cheerful, well organised and up-to-date. Their Facebook page is lively, up-to-the-minute and extremely informative about all rescued or re-homed cats . Lots of photos and video clips all indicate that Venture Farm Cat Rescue feel that dedicating time to keeping the public properly informed is time well spent.

This is a very well-run cat rescue centre filled with good, enthusiastic, committed people working for a worthwhile cause.