AN ELDERLY cat is on the road to recovery - thanks to Dorset Echo readers.

Charity workers contacted the Echo earlier this month to share an appeal to help Ashley, a stray tortoiseshell cat who needed hip surgery. They said the untreated injury was old – and probably was caused by the cat being hit by a car.

Gloria Ashwell, voluntary co-ordinator at the Weymouth and District branch of Cats Protection, said Ashley has now had her surgery, and the vet was surprised and pleased to see the cat has an even greater range of movement in her hip than he had expected.

The charity passed on its thanks to generous readers who had donated money so Ashley could have the surgery. 

Gloria said: “She is now again in the care of Lorraine, our ‘indoor fosterer’ and is very comfortably accommodated in a ground floor room, dedicated to cat foster care. She is the only pet in the household so receives lots of attention and continues to make excellent progress.”

Ashley is one of more than 100 cats the branch has admitted since the beginning of this year; most require neutering, vaccination, microchipping and other interventions before they are ready to rehome. 

Gloria added: “We keep very busy, not only caring for the cats and seeking new homes for them, but raising funds to support our work.”

There will be a collection at Asda Weymouth from 11am to 3pm this Saturday and on Saturday, November 25 there will be a coffee morning at Hope Church near Brewers Quay. The event runs from 10am to 12pm and visitors can expect stalls, tombola, bric-a-brac and books on sale.
All are welcome to attend.

If any readers would like to remain in contact with the activities of the branch and with the ongoing progress of Ashley, send your email address or post one or more ‘stamped addressed envelopes’ to the charity; brief newsletters will be issued at least four times each year.

You can also contact the branch by calling 01305 262737, emailing weymouthcatsprotection@gmail.com or writing to 11 Highfield Close, Charminster, Dorchester DT2 9RW.