The Sheffield Cats Shelter is hosting a street party on Sunday 15th September to celebrate 60 years in its current home, 1 Travis Place in Broomhall, and everyone is invited!
Since 1897, when it was founded by Jane Barker, The Sheffield Cats Shelter has been helping cats and their owners in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. As well as Travis Place, they currently have three shops in Sheffield: Middlewood Road in Hillsborough, Crookes Road, and Ecclesall Road.
The 60th birthday celebrations will start at 1.30pm in the form of a street party and will feature a wide range of activities and games. Drinks and refreshments, including birthday cake (of course), will be available. Staff and guests are encouraged to dress up in 60s attire to mark the 60th theme!
There will be exciting prizes up for grabs in activities named after two of the Shelter’s most popular former residents: the Raf-fle and Lucky’s Lucky Dip! Costco have kindly donated money for the purchase of some great prizes including an air fryer, children’s suitcase, and two cat beds!
The raffle will also feature donations from the charity’s patrons Frankie Seaman (a professional dancer and Dancing on Ice star from Sheffield) and Joann Fletcher (Barnsley’s BAFTA-winning Egyptologist) who will also be in attendance on the day for people to meet. Frankie has donated a pair of goalkeeping gloves worn and signed by her husband, England legend David Seaman. Joann has donated her book “The Search For Nefertiti” which she will sign for the winner.
A number of stalls will also be present on the day. These will feature a cat information desk, a “Date Night Book Stall” with a series of stories for guests to curl up to with their cat (and treats for both!), and the charity’s ever-popular Teddy Tombola (this went down particularly well at the recent Sheffield Fayre!)
Of course everyone wants to see the cats themselves, and during the party the Shelter’s ‘catio’ will be open for visitors providing a live stream ‘kitty cam’ of its current feline residents. They have some gorgeous cats currently at the Shelter awaiting a forever home, so why not take a look and maybe you’ll fall in love with one of them!
Sarah Smith, Charity Manager at The Sheffield Cats Shelter, said:
“We’re so excited to welcome everyone to our home to celebrate 60 years at Travis Place! Having somewhere cosy for our cats to stay is so important ahead of them finding their forever home. Travis Place has been perfect for that. While the years have passed and our cats have changed our collective love for our feline friends – and our mission – is just as strong now as it’s always been.
We can’t wait to see our shelter continue to be a safe haven for the cats of Sheffield and surrounding areas for years to come.”
The Sheffield Cats Shelter recently had a very successful day at the Sheffield Fayre where they raised over £500, hopefully the 60th birthday party will be even more successful.
The charity is also encouraging supporters and party guests on the day to celebrate the special bond they have with their cats (whether they’re a current pet or in loving memory of much-missed furry friend). Supporters can purchase a waterproof Fur-Ever Love Band to be placed on the Shelter's memorial railing at Travis Place, where it will join others in a beautiful, collective tribute. You can create yours here.
If anyone has donations of cake, refreshments, prizes for the raffle or soft toys for the teddy tombola, please donate these to the Shelter or to any of the charity’s three shops in Sheffield.
Finally, if anyone can or would like to volunteer on the day of the party, or is interested in volunteering longer-term, please email the team at volunteer@thesheffieldcatsshelter.org.uk.
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