AN appeal has been made to help a little cat to walk properly again.

Marion Parsons, dedicates her life to the Newbridge Cat Sanctuary near Cleobury Mortimer.

It has been years since the 67-year-old former teacher took a holiday and apart from some part time help on a Saturday she does it all herself.

Each year Marion will take in hundreds of cats of all ages, shapes and sizes and will find good homes for as many of them as she can.

Marion’s philosophy is that she will never have a healthy cat put down and so some of them stay with her for many years or until they eventually fall victim to the turn of time.

Her oldest current resident is a 19-year-old cat and although never completely giving up hope Marion knows that the chances of this ‘resident’ ever getting placed in a home is beyond miniscule.

By contrast one of newest arrivals has a very different equally but sad story to tell.

Snow Flake is from Bosnia where they generally do not treat animals well. This young cat believed to be aged between 12 and 18 months has lost one of the legs and another is at risk.

But for Marion this is not a reason to have her ‘put to sleep'. Snow Flake is being cared for with the help of the local vets but to have her leg properly repaired will require a very special operation.

Marion has found a specialist vet in the south of England who say that they can help but at a price and this will be several thousands of pounds.

So she has launched a special appeal to try to raise the money needed for the surgery.

“I know it is a lot of money and some people might think that it is not worth it by I want to give Snow Flake a chance,” said Marion.

“Constantly raising the money to keep the sanctuary going is a never ending task but I have to set myself this challenge.”

Each year Marion needs to find £20,000 and that is not easy.

When people bring a cat into her care or have a cat from Newbridge, then they are asked for a donation but the money from this comes nowhere near to what is required.

“People are very generous and I do get support including from the local Severn Edge Vets who give me discounts, people can be very kind but there is no legacy funding and it is a constant struggle,” Marion added.

“I have two small pensions and I use some of my own money including some from the sale of plants at the nursery.”

After all the years she does not feel things are getting any better and does not see any reduction in the number of cats needing a home.

“I get some very sad stories including people who have to give up pets they have had for many years because of illness or change of circumstances,” added Marion.

“Then there are relationship breakdowns, people moving into rented accommodation where a landlord will not allow a pet as well as those where people cannot afford the cost.

“But the biggest problem is the lack of neutering that means kittens are being born all the time.”

If anyone can help Marion in her work and with Snow Flake’s treatment they can write a cheque and post it for drop it in to the Newbridge Cat Rescue and Re-homing Centre.