800 cats need homes

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WANTED, good homes for 800 cats saved from death

VICTORY FOR PROTESTORS AS RESEARCH SHUTS DOWN

Their wide eyes staring in bewilderment, these cats could be forgiven for feeling a little confused. They are among 800 taken to an RSPCA holding centre following the closure of Britains last establishment to breed cats for scientific research and testing. All are in need of new homes, prompting the animal welfare organisation to make an urgent appeal to cat lovers who may be able to taken them in. At the same time animal rights protesters welcomed the closure of Hill Grove Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire, saying it was a victory for their demonstrations.

RSPCA inspectors worked through the night in a secret operation to remove the cats due to be sold for experimentation in laboratories around the world.

Farmer Christopher Brown, 61, who has run the cattery with his wife Katherine for 30 years, turned to the RSPCA to help rehome his stock after he decided to retire from the breeding business. Mr Brown said that his family had lived in constant fear since animal rights protesters began to target the farm two-and-a-half years ago. They have received death threats and had letter bombs sent to their home, forcing the family to install CCTV cameras and to hire private security guards to patrol the farm. "My car has been firebombed, my house burnt and the windows broken on many occasions." said Mr Brown. "I have been beaten up, my wife has been attacked. I am surprised by just how vicious some of these people are, but they have been misinformed. I have simply bred cats here and no medical research has taken place here." Mr Brown denied the hate campaign had driven him to give up his business, adding: "The actions have merely encouraged me to stay on and I have been determined not to give in. Having reached the age of 61 I feel it is the right time to retire."

Several demonstrations at the premises turned into violent clashes between police and protesters. Since March 1997, Thames Valley Police have spent Ł2.8million protecting the farmhouse and breeding pens, and keeping order at the internationally advertised demonstrations calling for its closure. At least 350 people have been arrested and 21 jailed.

Thirty-three RSPCA officers transported the 800 cats in a fleet of 16 vans to the holding centre. Chris Laurence, the society's chief veterinary officer said: "All of the cats are healthy and used to human contact. Our aim now is to provide a brighter future for them by finding loving new homes for each one. We are appealing to anyone thinking of taking a cat as a pet to consider an RSPCA cat. The 800 are in a purpose-built cattery awaiting neutering before being distributed to the RSPCA's network of animal centres around the Country.

Animal activist Carla Lane, the TV scriptwriter, said of the closure: "This is absolutely brilliant. It is a wonderful day for all those who care about animals."

The National Anti-Vivisection Society, which claimed the farm supplied cats for vivisection, said: "We are delighted."

THE RSPCA hotline for cat rehoming is 0906 256 0256.

PLEASE OFFER A LOVING HOME TO ONE OF THESE CATS.

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