While many cats enjoy the warmth of their owner’s fireplace or the mischief of knocking baubles off the Christmas tree, not all are so fortunate. For cats spending Christmas away from home, kind-hearted individuals and organizations are making the season special with decorations, festive meals, and even a visit from “Santa Paws.”
Susie Phillips, a volunteer and trustee at Shropshire Cat Rescue, shares how the charity creates a magical Christmas for its feline residents. “We like them to feel it’s a special time of year,” she said.
Shropshire Cat Rescue, which shelters abandoned and unwanted cats, houses many of its residents in a cozy “retirement village” made up of wooden huts. Each hut is adorned with festive lights on the outside and holiday-themed wall hangings on the inside. The organization also encourages people to donate gifts for the cats and invites children to write letters to Santa Paws on their behalf.
“The letters are really sweet,” Ms. Phillips shared. “One child wrote that their cat would like a pink ping-pong ball, while another wished for all cats to have love.”
Every Christmas Eve, a volunteer dons a Santa Paws costume to distribute toys to all the “good” cats. The event, streamed live on social media, has earned Shropshire Cat Rescue a substantial following, with over 250,000 followers and 2.8 million likes on TikTok.
“It’s really good fun,” Ms. Phillips said. “Last year, the cats were sneaking into the basket of goodies and stealing their presents.”
Clare Herzig, who manages the charity’s social media, added, “People love watching Santa Paws give the cats their gifts. It’s a lovely tradition.”
On Christmas Day, volunteers serve turkey dinners to the cats, making the holiday even more festive. “It’s really nice and Christmassy,” Ms. Phillips said.
Elsewhere in Shropshire, the Castle Cats cattery near Shifnal provides a temporary home for cats whose owners travel during the holidays. Run by Charlotte Humphries and her mother Eileen for over 23 years, the cattery ensures the cats have a joyful holiday.
Charlotte shared that stays usually last three to four days, but some cats remain for up to a month when owners travel farther, such as to Australia. Despite the busy season, the Humphries make sure each cat feels special.
“We decorate the pens with lights, serve turkey on Christmas and Boxing Day, play carols through speakers, and even tie bows on their collars,” Charlotte said. The only thing excluded from the festivities is tinsel. “I’m not a tinsel person,” she admitted.
Some might wonder if cats are aware of Christmas or enjoy the festivities. Ms. Humphries believes they do. “They’ll know it’s Christmas,” she said, noting that the season always feels “a bit more special” for them.
Ms. Phillips agrees, explaining that many of the cats come from homes where Christmas is celebrated, making them familiar with traditions like playing with decorations or receiving extra treats. She added that cats often pick up on human behavior. “People become happier and jollier during the holidays, and the cats seem to like it.”
For these cats, Christmas may not be spent at home, but thanks to the efforts of compassionate individuals, it’s still filled with warmth, joy, and love.
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