Prestigious IFAW award for cat-lover Liz

Dallington woman Liz Varney is to be recognised with a special award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the House of Lords, honouring more than 40 years of dedication to rescuing and rehoming cats in need. SUS-141016-094503001

Animal lover Liz Varney has rescued thousands of cats over the years and offers refuge to 200 at any one time at Catastrophes Cat Rescue, which she runs from her home alongside partner Alan Knight, who also runs the charity International Animal Rescue.

Many of the cats have been abandoned or ill-treated and some become homeless because of a change in people’s circumstances.

The rescue’s aim is to help any cat regardless of age, temperament or behavioural problems, whether wild or tame.

This brings in many desperate calls from around the UK and sometimes abroad, asking Liz to help elderly, feral and difficult to rehome cats that some larger organisations may turn away or put down.

She also takes in cats with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), showing the disease is not a death sentence. Valuable data on these cats assists with research into the disease.

Liz has a ‘no kill’ policy and set up a sanctuary as well as rescue and rehoming organisation, so that cats which would be difficult to rehome could live out the rest of their days in a peaceful environment.

President and CEO of IFAW, Azzedine Downes, said: “Liz’s dedication has seen her rescue many thousands of cats over the years and she is a great role model and example of animal welfare in action. She is a very deserving winner of IFAW’s Cat Rescue Award.”

Liz, with help from a team of volunteers, also visits colonies of feral cats. As with any cats they help, they spay and neuter and provide any necessary veterinary treatment.

Liz said: “The first cat I rehomed was in answer to a request from a vet friend who was upset at healthy animals being brought in to be put down.

“From that, more and more requests came and annually we now rescue hundreds of cats. I admire the independence of cats but I like to be able to do something positive for them and I have always liked taking on a challenge.

“I’m delighted to be receiving the IFAW award which I accept on behalf of the team and the vets who help us so much.”

Trips to Spain are also organised by Liz to help with sterilisation of stray cat populations. In the near future she hopes to raise funds to build a new treatment room to help minimise veterinary costs for minor treatments which could be given on site and for sick and post-operative cats to recuperate in.

Liz will receive her award at IFAW’s Animal Action Awards, hosted by Baroness Gale and presented by TV wildlife presenter Bill Oddie at the House of Lords on October 21.