celia hammond animal trust
Animal Rescue Charity
Celia Hammond Animal Trust is a unique non destruction charity providing essential low cost veterinary services for sick and injured pets as well as a rescue and homing service for unwanted, abandoned and stray cats in London and the South East.
Please help us build a dedicated rescue and rehoming centre, and secure the future of our Lewisham hub for decades to come
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A NEW RESCUE AND REHOMING CENTRE IN LEWISHAM
In October 2023, we were granted planning permission to redevelop the Friendly Street warehouse and former shop at the rear of our Lewisham site into a new rescue and rehoming centre.
Phases 1 and 2A of the project have been funded by legacy gifts. Phase 1 of the building works has already been completed and phase 2A works are to commence shortly. We are now fundraising to pay for phase 2B, the construction of the main two-storey building, and we really need your support in funding the next stage of this project.
Please donate whatever you can afford and help us continue caring for animals who need us most.
Celia Hammond Animal Trust
OFFICIAL PAGE Celia Hammond Animal Trust, UK. We rescue rehabilitate and re-home abandoned animals.
Over the past couple of months, our vets have been working on a case unlike anything they’ve ever seen before, something Celia has never encountered in CHAT’s 40 years.
This is Dolly.
When Dolly first arrived at our Canning Town clinic, she was tiny, confused and unable to move her body properly, only her head. She was one of three kittens, Dotty and Diamond, rescued by our team after they were reportedly dumped in someone’s front garden.
The noises they were making were so distressing that one of our rescuers was brought to tears. They sounded as though they were screaming in pain.
Our vets began a long process of tests and elimination, trying to understand what could possibly be happening to these little cats. In those early days, Dolly needed almost constant care, so much so that our vet David even took her and her siblings to his home at weekends so he could continue monitoring them himself. They would spend time in his garden in the sunshine, getting a little fresh air and a change of scenery.
Then, a few weeks later, Stu and Stan arrived after reportedly being dumped in a carrier. They were a little older but were showing remarkably similar signs of immobility.
Some people might look at five black-and-white cats and think they all look the same, but we can’t help wondering whether there could be a connection. They are now all together, sharing a room at Canning Town that we have cleared especially for them.
Dolly has been one of the most severely affected. When she first arrived, she couldn't walk at all. Now, she is very wobbly on her paws, but she is slowly gaining strength in her legs, as you can see. For most cats, a few wobbly steps might mean nothing. For Dolly, they mean everything.
They are all receiving around-the-clock care, being fed every couple of hours and having a nutrient-rich diet alongside vitamin supplementation. Slowly, we are starting to see those little glimmers of progress we’ve been hoping for.
We also wanted to investigate every possible avenue for Dolly. We were incredibly grateful to the wonderful team at grantaveterinaryspecialists for carrying out an MRI scan to help our vets investigate whether there could be a neurological cause behind her condition. This has given our team valuable information as we continue trying to understand what is happening to her.
From what we have seen in all five cats so far, we suspect they could be suffering from a congenital condition, although we are still working to understand exactly what is happening.
Perhaps the most heartwarming part of Dolly’s story is that she isn’t going through this alone.
Dotty, Diamond, Stu and Stan absolutely dote on her. They stay close to her, keep an eye on her and seem to make sure she is okay. Watching them care for their little friend has been incredibly special.
We still don’t have all the answers, and we don’t know exactly what the future holds for Dolly. This is the kind of case where it will just take patience. But she is stronger than when she first arrived, and we will keep giving her every chance to show us what she can do.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on Dolly’s progress. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
A Monday October morning at Greenacres 🐾🌿
As CHAT’s Social Media Officer, I spent the morning at Greenacres a few weeks ago, getting a little glimpse into life at the sanctuary and meeting some of the cats who call it home.
Tucked away in the East Sussex countryside, Greenacres holds a very special place in our history. It was Celia Hammond’s very first centre and she actually lived here for years before later dividing her time between our two London clinics.
Today, Greenacres is home to around 120 cats who, for one reason or another, need a little extra time, care and understanding. 💚
Many of the cats here have their own unique stories, and you can even help support their care by sponsoring one of our Greenacres residents. We’ll pop the link in the comments if you’d like to find out more.
A quiet morning in the countryside, surrounded by cats – not a bad way to start the week! ... See MoreSee Less
We’re ending National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week with some wonderful news.
Earlier this week, we introduced you to Vinnie, a golden oldie who came into our care after losing his owner. His happy ending will take a little longer, but we’ll be there with him every step of the way.
Today, we get to share one that has come a little sooner.
Meet Twinkle, a very special 19-year-old who came into our Greenacres sanctuary following the sad passing of her owner.
Imagine being 19, losing the person you’ve known as home and suddenly finding yourself somewhere completely new. It’s a huge adjustment, especially for a golden oldie.
Despite everything, this sweet little lady has been gentle and lovely from the start. She deserved a quiet, comfortable home where she could settle at her own pace and be thoroughly cherished.
The fabulous news is that Twinkle has now been REHOMED! 🎉. Today was her adoption day with Tom and Natalie.
It’s especially lovely to share this during Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Older cats can so easily be overlooked, but Tom and Nat looked beyond Twinkle’s age and seen a little cat who still has so much love to give.
Twinkle is proof that it’s never too late for a new beginning. 🐾✨ ... See MoreSee Less
We’re back! After a little break, it’s time for Part 6 of 40 Facts for 40 Years. 🐱
This time, we’re looking back at some of the biggest and hardest rescues in CHAT’s 40-year history.
There have been far too many to fit into one video, but these are some of the rescues that made the news and give just a glimpse of the scale and challenges of the work our rescue team has undertaken.
For 40 years, our rescuers have answered calls for help, investigated reports of cats in desperate situations and gone out in the most challenging circumstances to bring them to safety. From large-scale rescues involving dozens of cats to individual animals with nowhere else to turn, every situation takes dedication, determination and compassion.
Today, the calls for help are constant. We are overwhelmed by the number of cats who need rescuing, and it breaks our hearts that we cannot help every single one. But our team keeps going, tackling one situation at a time and doing everything they can for the cats who need them.
Rescue is at the heart of Celia Hammond Animal Trust. It has been for 40 years, and it remains just as important today.
This one is for our incredible rescuers, past and present. Thank you for 40 years of answering the call. 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
The morning rush hour looked a little different at Greenacres today!
As well as being home to our many resident rescue cats and one of our homing centres, our sanctuary grounds provide a safe haven for a wide variety of British wildlife.
A couple of our local Fallow deer decided to take their time crossing the driveway this morning, causing a very polite little traffic hold-up. We certainly didn't mind waiting! ... See MoreSee Less
We celebrate our incredible volunteers throughout the year, but with it being National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, we wanted to again to shine a light on the people who give up their time and are such an important part of what we do.
Our volunteers are such a crucial part of CHAT. They get to know the cats, their personalities and all their little quirks, while making sure they’re fed, comfortable, clean and, of course, given plenty of love and attention.
Ann has been volunteering at our Lewisham clinic for an incredible 18 years! Every Saturday, you’ll find her in the 'Pink' room seeing to her cats. She loves finishing the room and seeing them all settled and content, with clean beds and full tummies.
She’s always looked after our Pink room, so it’s only right that she’s known as our Original Pink Lady! 💗
Then there’s Jo, who has just joined us at Canning Town. In fact, yesterday was her very first volunteering shift!
Jo is studying to become a veterinary nurse assistant and works in a café alongside her studies. One of our existing volunteers visits the café where Jo works and suggested she come along and volunteer with us - we’re very glad she did!
Jo says she’s loved getting to know the cats and that spending time around animals helps her recharge and is good for her mental health. She’s already got a little fan in Joaquin Phoenix, who has taken a shine to her and apparently decided her shoulder is the perfect place to sit.
Ann and Jo may be at very different points in their volunteering journeys, but they have something very important in common: they’re here because they care. And that means the world to us. ❤️
Thank you to them, and to every one of our amazing volunteers. We really couldn’t do it without you.
** We’re not currently recruiting for new volunteers at our Lewisham and Canning Town clinics, but we are still welcoming volunteers at our Greenacres Sanctuary in Brede, East Sussex. Please keep an eye on our website for future volunteering opportunities. ** ... See MoreSee Less
🐾 Happy Adoption Thursday 🐾
As we celebrate National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, we wanted to share a happy update on three little brothers whose story we shared back in May.
Napoleon, Prince and Tom were just three months old when they were found dumped like rubbish in a plastic backpack on one of the hottest days of the year. Overheated and lethargic from being squashed together inside in the sweltering heat, they were in desperate need of help. Thankfully, kind-hearted residents and one of our rescue volunteers brought them to the safety of our Canning Town clinic.
We desperately hoped these three brothers could find a home together - and that's exactly what happened!
Now known as Patch, Rollo and Lokki, they've settled into their new lives wonderfully. Their owner, Laura, describes them as beautiful, lively and rather greedy. It sounds like they've well and truly made themselves at home!
Each has their own little personality. Patch, affectionately nicknamed “Bob the Blob” because of his tabby markings, is the cuddly one who always wants to join in when his brothers are getting attention. Lokki has a special bond with his new dad, while Rollo is a little more independent and seems to be the bravest of the three. They've also discovered the joys of exploring outdoors, although they've decided that rain isn't quite so much fun! 😹
Laura put it perfectly: “I think they've fallen on their paws...” 🐾 We think so too!
We still think back to the day these three little boys arrived with us, so seeing them happy and settled together means an awful lot.
We're so grateful to everyone who helps give cats like these boys a second chance and to families like Laura's who open their hearts and homes to rescue cats. Thank you to Laura for keeping the brothers together and sharing a little glimpse of their new life with us. 🏡 ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
Helping Storm weather the road to recovery 🐾
For National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, we’re shining a spotlight on our incredible veterinary team, nurses and carers. Their dedication is what turns heartbreak into hope for cats like Storm pictured here.
At just over a year old, Storm arrived through our clinic doors earlier this week after being found injured by a kind member of the public.
Thanks to her microchip, we were able to trace her family and piece together her story. Storm had originally belonged to an owner who had sadly passed away. Her owner's daughter had stepped in to care for her, but Storm found adjusting to a busy household with young children overwhelming. After going missing for three days, she was discovered alone and severely hurt.
An examination revealed a broken pelvis requiring major orthopaedic surgery. Our veterinary team immediately stepped in to operate and pin her pelvis, but in rescue medicine, the operation is only the first step. Storm's recovery is about hours of quiet, patient aftercare. Right now, our nurses and vets are by her side around the clock: carefully managing her pain, monitoring her bladder and bowel function for complications, assisting her with a catheter, and gently tube-feeding her to make sure she maintains the strength she needs to mend.
For the next few weeks, Storm's prescription is simply pure rest, quiet, and comfort.
She is settled in a cosy crate setup where she can stay completely still, no running, jumping, or sudden slips while her bones knit back together. In a few weeks, we will repeat her X-rays to check how her pelvis is healing.
Recognising that Storm needs a quieter environment to thrive long-term, her previous family made the decision to officially sign her into our care. Storm is now officially a “CHAT cat”. She will stay with us throughout her rehabilitation, receiving all the hands-on medical care and affection she deserves until she is ready to find a calm, loving forever home of her own.
So far, Storm's treatment has already cost £1,078, excluding medication. With several more weeks of hospitalisation, pain relief, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication ahead of her, we estimate a further £600–£800 will be needed, depending on how her recovery progresses. That means her care could cost close to £1,900 before she is ready to leave our clinic.
Please help us be there for Storm. Your donation, however small, will help provide the round-the-clock medical care and support she needs to get back on her paws and towards a happier future.
🔗 Donate via the link in our bio and in the first comment!
Cases like Storm’s show just how vital rescue like ours are. It isn’t just about mending a fracture, it’s about the days, weeks, and months of gentle rehabilitation, medical monitoring, and unconditional patience that give vulnerable cats a second chance at life. ... See MoreSee Less
This National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, we’re shining a light on the work of animal rescue organisations and the difference they make to the lives of vulnerable animals.
At Celia Hammond Animal Trust, we see every day just how desperately cats need our help. We’re currently full to capacity, with limited space and resources, and sadly can’t take in every cat who needs us. But we do everything we can to help those who have nowhere else to turn.
Vinnie is one of the cats who reminds us exactly why our work matters.
Around 12 years old, Vinnie’s owner passed away and he was left to fend for himself on the streets. He began sleeping on a neighbour’s fence every night, relying on their kindness for food. He’d suffered numerous injuries from cat fights and was struggling with anaemia and digestive problems. When a nasty wound behind his ear kept reopening, his neighbour reached out to us for help.
By the time Vinnie arrived at our Lewisham branch, he was malnourished, with a dirty, stained coat. Despite his hard time, he’s incredibly affectionate, loves a cuddle and is always happy to soak up some attention.
Our vets have worked hard to get Vinnie back on his paws, treating his wounds, carrying out dental work and arranging his neutering and microchipping. We’ve also been feeding him a katkin.club steamed food diet, which has helped settle his digestive issues and get him feeling much better.
Vinnie has also tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), which affects his immune system and makes him more vulnerable to infections. Although there’s currently no cure, many FIV-positive cats go on to live long, happy lives.
Now, Vinnie deserves a chance to enjoy his golden years in a loving retirement home, where he can feel safe, cherished and cared for. He’s looking for an indoor home or one with safe, supervised garden access.
Behind every cat we help is a team of dedicated vets, animal carers and volunteers, alongside the generosity of our supporters. This week, we want to thank everyone who helps us give cats like Vinnie the care and second chance they deserve.
#rescuecat #catrescue #animalrescue ... See MoreSee Less