New cattery pens for Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary

Gemma Atkinson shows her daughter one of the Bleakholt kittens

Local animal sanctuary Bleakholt has installed new cattery pens as part of a redevelopment.

The cattery redevelopment cost £75,000 and will allow the Edenfield sanctuary, which is just outside of the Rochdale borough, to help 100 extra cats. 

The new cattery pens were recently opened by Bleakholt’s president, Gemma Atkinson. The Hits Radio presenter, who visited Bleakholt regularly as a child growing up in Bury, attended the opening with her daughter Mia, showing her one of the kittens which will make use of the cattery before being rehomed. 

Sanctuary manager Karen Weed said: “The new cattery pens will be crucial in enabling the charity to help even more cats that have no-one.  

“We are so pleased with them as they are a great size, allow the cats lots of stimulation but also places to hide if still feeling nervous.  

“We are so grateful to The Pets at Home Foundation, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and The Bolton Guild J A & F Smith Animal Charity Fund for providing grants to fund the project. 

“We would also like to say a huge thanks to our wonderful president Gemma Atkinson for opening the new pens.” 

Gemma added: “I had a wonderful day at Bleakholt. I was honoured to open our newly refurbished cattery so now our rescue kitties have a lovely place with us until they find their forever homes.” 

Bleakholt runs solely on voluntary contributions, which can be made online on a regular, or one-off, basis.