After the pandemic, the number of stray and abandoned cats rose to an overwhelming high and for any number of reasons, people couldn’t cope with their new pets once normal life resumed.

PurrfectlyFeral (Llangedwyn Cat Rescue) was founded back at the beginning of 2022 and is run single-handedly by Shelley, whilst raising her 4 children and caring for numerous pets including dogs, poultry, sheep and a number of sanctuary cats who can’t be rehomed due to various issues.

Shelley has always been passionate about animals. “My childhood dream was to become a vet, but my life changed after completing a National Diploma in Animal Care, but helping animals has always been at the forefront of my mind, and that’s where the idea to open a cat rescue came from.”

Initially, Shelley started helping cats in the local area, including ferals who were breeding out of control, injured stray cats and a litter of young kittens orphaned after their mum was killed on one of the busy main roads in the Tanat Valley.

She set up a Facebook page to share advice and raise awareness, but it soon became apparent the surrounding areas also needed help, and Shelley was soon receiving calls from Oswestry, Welshpool and villages in between. This has since expanded to places as far as Stafford and the Elan Valley in Wales.

“The cats that come through my door need help for a wide variety of issues. Some have been neglected, abused or abandoned, others are due to a change in circumstances such as owners’ ill health or an imminent admittance into hospital or care home. I’ve also been asked to help with colonies of cats that have formed due to unneutered strays breeding out of control. This presents alot of problems due to the sheer number – we can see anything from 20-30 plus per colony,” Shelley explains.

“I’m usually alerted to cases by concerned members of the public, but I’ve also received calls from the emergency services, local veterinary clinics and the local authority in the past. Some cats are brought to me, and some can’t be caught because they’re so frightened. When that happens, I go out to assess the situation and deploy a humane trap.

“All cats are assessed and receive routine parasite treatment upon arrival as well as any veterinary care they need. This includes any urgent treatment like eye removal operations caused by untreated cat flu or unexplained head trauma. Others have had tail amputations due to suspected road accidents. Thankfully we are lucky enough to have the fantastic Aran Vets in Llanfyllin, only 10 minutes away and on hand at the drop of a hat.”

A cat’s stay with Shelley can be anything from a few weeks to months, and they are all housed in custom built pens. Shelley’s latest goal is to raise enough money to connect an electric supply so she can add heaters to the pens, which will keep the cats warm during the winter. She also needs Perspex sheets to help infection control and prevent viruses spreading.

“As a non-profit rescue I rely totally on the goodwill and generosity of the general public. The support I’ve received from Oswestry, the surrounding areas and further afield has been absolutely mind blowing and I honestly can’t express my appreciation enough.”

All cats and kittens are neutered and microchipped as a minimum before being put up for adoption.

If you would like to adopt a cat/kitten or need any help/advice with cat related issues, contact Shelley on Facebook via her page PurrfectlyFeral (Llangedwyn Cat Rescue).

Call 07837 241965 or email purrfectlyferal2022@btinternet.com.

Amber came from a colony of 30+ cats Shelley is in the process of trapping and neutering. Amber is approx. 6 months old but the size of an 8 week old kitten due to inbreeding and malnutrition.

(Left to right): Hugo was an unneutered stray. Gandalf was unneutered, neglected & severely malnourished. Barry was the victim of abuse, unneutered and had suffered head trauma resulting in the loss of his eye.