The Douglas Sanctuary for Cats

The Douglas Sanctuary for Cats Private sanctuary for colony cats on the North Norfolk/Breckland border. The colony has a big mixture of cat temperaments! Why the Douglas? An ardent cat lover!

The Douglas Sanctuary for Cats was established in April 2023 to re-locate and re-home a large colony of garden cats that were in dire need of safe refuge. Some are real cuddle bugs that enjoy human interaction and fuss but most are "in-betweeners", cats that are happy around humans but are still nervous of physical touch and the full trappings of domestic life. None of these cats are feral so they

couldn't simply be trapped, neutered and released. Semi domesticated, as the majority of them are, without the food source and shelter they had come to solely rely on for years they would have found it difficult to survive on their own. So, the Douglas was established to step in and help them. As a private sanctuary we are dedicated to the care of this huge colony which has cats of all ages, including kittens. We are committed to giving these wonderful cats safe refuge and the time they need to fully trust and accept human contact before re-homing. There are cats in the colony that really don't want their own human or the trappings of domestic life - Tom cats (now neutered) that have spent many years roaming around outside. For these cats we provide lifetime safe refuge at the sanctuary. Veterinary Care: All of the cats that come into the sanctuary are neutered, health checked, wormed, de-flea'd and tested for infectious disease. Sadly, without the benefit of vaccinations some colony cats can contract life limiting disease. We do not support euthanasia solely on a cats confirmed disease status. Well cared for, these cats can live a healthy and happy life for several years and such cats will remain with us at the Sanctuary. We will only make the decision to help those in our care over the Rainbow Bridge when it is the right decision for that INDIVIDUAL cat, its health and quality of life. The sanctuary is named for my Grandfather. A final note. We are not a rescue centre. The Douglas is a private Sanctuary established to help this cat colony and we already have over 30 cats in our care!

Pierre the Polydactyl cat!!Pierre has asked us to show you his extra toe beans! Pierre is a very special polydactyl cat ...
12/06/2026

Pierre the Polydactyl cat!!

Pierre has asked us to show you his extra toe beans! Pierre is a very special polydactyl cat and has many extra toes!

Polydactyl cats or Hemingway Cats were much sought after by Sailors as they were known to have extraordinary climbing and hunting abilities which were very useful in the control of rodents on board ships. Sailors also thought them to be lucky.

Ernest Hemingway was a huge advocate for polydactyl cats having been gifted his first, named Snowball, by a ships captain. Hemingway collected many polydactyl cats over his lifetime (thus the name Hemingway Cats) and descendants of snowball and other Polydactyl cats still reside at his former home in Key West.

Pierre is the loveliest of cats and his ToeBeans are incredibly soft! He’s waiting for his forever home so if you or someone you know is thinking of adopting a cat please visit our website to apply on-line.

https://thedouglascatsanctuary.co.uk/

11/06/2026

👷‍♀️🛠️🧱 After many hours grabbed around the busy running of the Sanctuary, some problem solving and imagination combined with hard graft we were very happy to finally finish Catio 1 for some of our Indoor cats 🎉 They absolutely love it rain or shine they tear around the jungle gym we’ve created for them. Worth every minute of effort. Onwards to completing Catio 2!!

Yesterday we bid a sad farewell to Vivienne’s kittens. It was a very tough decision this time around. Knowing these were...
23/05/2026

Yesterday we bid a sad farewell to Vivienne’s kittens. It was a very tough decision this time around. Knowing these were Vivienne’s last kittens. The last kittens of this colony. Hearts really warred with minds this time but there can be no place for sentimentality in Rescue, we must always put the best interests of the cats/kittens first.

We don’t keep kittens for re-homing at the Sanctuary. We don’t have the space. We aren’t set up for them long term to meet their needs as they grow. We are always simply a part of their journey to a better life but goodbyes always break your heart.

We spend the time and extraordinary effort required to trap kittens into safety, get them vet checked & back on their feet/recuperated before they then leave for Rescue where they have the VERY BEST chance of being re-homed.

❤️❤️ Thank you Olivia for fostering them

We know the kittens are in safe hands. Our thoughts must now be on welcoming Vivienne home to Sanctuary, re-uniting her with her colony. Vivienne is Feral, she’ll never be re-homed but we are very much looking forward to seeing her leaning into the safety she’ll have here and flourishing kitten free.

You did a good job Vivienne but it’s your time now.

Kitten 1 is doing incredibly well, just look at him! Such an improvement, awesome job Olivia. The other 2 kittens trappe...
18/05/2026

Kitten 1 is doing incredibly well, just look at him! Such an improvement, awesome job Olivia. The other 2 kittens trapped Saturday had a vet check today and are healthy - another boy and a little girl.

Vivienne is quietly recuperating from her Spay surgery in foster….she weighed less than 3kg 😢 absolutely shocking. Poor girl, how hard must it have been for her to kitten, raise and hunt for yet another litter. Those days are behind her now and she needs to put on weight and regain her health, kitten (and worm!) free.

After spending their first ever safe and warm night here, Olivia collected these two cutie pies this Afternoon to reunit...
17/05/2026

After spending their first ever safe and warm night here, Olivia collected these two cutie pies this Afternoon to reunite them with their Brother. I expect he’ll be very happy to see his siblings - but the few days apart have given him a chance to recuperate.

16/05/2026

DO YOU WANT ANOTHER REVEAL?

Welcome to Sanctuary VIVIENNE!! 🎉🎉

3 Years it’s taken to trap her - we were NEVER giving up on her. Her story will follow tomorrow but for now, it’s been a long day….a long 3 years!

16/05/2026

When one kitten unaccounted for becomes two found kittens! Having not seen the remaining kitten since Monday things weren’t looking hopeful. It takes tenacity and perseverance trapping in locations like this and a bone deep knowledge that with Vivienne (yes they are her kittens) absolutely anything is possible. We’ll have to keep at it for a while longer to make absolutely sure there aren’t anymore. Where were you hiding little kitten 3?

Whilst activity still goes on behind the scenes to find Kitten 2 a welcome reprieve of sprinkled happiness appeared on W...
15/05/2026

Whilst activity still goes on behind the scenes to find Kitten 2 a welcome reprieve of sprinkled happiness appeared on WhatsApp this morning! Just look at MAGGIE and SILAS 😻

Maggie & Silas are 💯 foster fails in the care of Jules Homes and Husband Patrick.
Just look at how well these two look! Living in a colony they were trapped in 2024 and Jules reached out with an offer to Foster them, with Jules experience (a qualified RVN) we were only too happy to accept!

Maggie was a bag of bones when trapped and Silas had dreadful sores on his skin with fur patches missing. Patience, time and a heap of love later the difference is remarkable. Maggie and Silas really landed on their feet and Jules and Patrick won’t be parted from them (yippee!).

Fostering saves lives. More cats can be helped. If you are interested in adoption or fostering visit

https://thedouglascatsanctuary.co.uk/

Also Jules and Patrick are proprietors of Home From Home Cat Hotel. If you need holiday care for your fur babies.

14/05/2026

With Olivia’s experienced care this little boy is enjoying his liquid food very much. It does make it easier to feed him his antibiotics but unfortunately he is now on eye drops too as despite regular cleaning his eyes are gunky and sealing shut. Infections like this very quickly overcome kittens living outdoors, thank goodness he is safe and getting supportive care.

Still no sign of Kitten 2 and time is running out 😢 because this kitten needs treatment too….

Liquivite is an invaluable high calorie complete food, calories this little man desperately needs.

13/05/2026

No sign of the 2nd kitten all day yesterday or today…..the little boy caught last night is around 7/8 weeks old but underweight for his age….he has an upper respiratory infection and has started antibiotics. He’s in safe hands with Olivia, who has managed to syringe some food into him. Unfortunately when they are snuffly they can’t smell and don’t eat……grave fears for the other kitten as it too wasn’t well 😢

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King's Lynn

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