MORE abandoned cats can now be rescued by Ferne Animal Animal Sanctuary after the charity received a £50,000 grant.

The huge donation made by Support Adoption For Pets will fund the building of a new isolation unit at the centre just outside Chard.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary was established 75 years ago and cares for more than 500 animals a year, including dogs, cats, small animals and horses.

The charity’s isolation unit houses any new or injured cats in its care to ensure that they can be monitored and to allow them space to recover in a safe and hygienic environment.

Elaine Hayes, CEO of Ferne Animal Sanctuary, said: “The generous grant from Support Adoption For Pets will make a huge difference to the rescued cats in our care.

"The new unit means that we can increase our current capacity to help more abandoned cats and help reduce our running costs with a new energy efficient, purpose built unit. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

A spokesman for the sanctuary added: "The old isolation unit was far to cold in winter, too hot in summer, and didn't provide the cats in their care with enough space or access to fresh air.

"The £50,000 grant received by the charity will be going towards the cost of a brand new isolation unit, while the rest of the cost will be covered by fundraising and savings.

"The new unit is being specially designed with the care of cats and kittens in mind, to help them become happy and healthy enough to move to the re-homing unit, where they will find their new homes."

Amy Wilson, fundraising manager at Support Adoption For Pets, added: "It is a real privilege to help an organisation that works so hard to care for and re-home animals.

"Ferne Animal Sanctuary do a fantastic job, and we are so glad to be able to support the magnitudes of their efforts. They truly are inspirational.”

Support Adoption For Pets is an independent charity established by Pets at Home in 2006.

Since then it has helped over 1,000 re-homing centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK.

In addition to fundraising work, it also runs dedicated adoption centres in nearly 400 Pets at Home stores.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1940. 75 years later the Sanctuary is still acting as a refuge for animals from across the county and beyond.

For more information of Ferne Animal Sanctuary, visit ferneanimalsanctuary.org.