Sheffield Cats Shelter Expands Legacy with New Fundraising Team and Big Dreams

The Sheffield Cats Shelter, one of the oldest and most respected cat shelters in the UK, is stepping confidently into a bold new era – and it’s doing so with its paws firmly on the ground and its heart wide open. Celebrating an extraordinary 128-year legacy of feline welfare, this beloved charity has just unveiled a brand-new, dynamic fundraising team set to guide its most ambitious expansion yet. The goal? To help even more cats find what every whiskered soul deserves: safety, care, and a loving forever home.

Since its founding in 1897, The Sheffield Cats Shelter has been a quiet force of compassion, resilience, and community – a sanctuary where the bond between humans and cats is not only respected but celebrated. While many shelters rely on cages and kennels, this trailblazing charity pioneered a cage-free, home-like environment long before it was trendy. Here, cats can stretch, play, recover, and just be cats in a space that feels less like a shelter and more like a soft landing spot after a hard journey.

Over the decades, The Sheffield Cats Shelter has weathered world wars, recessions, and the many ups and downs of modern life. And yet, its mission has never wavered: to provide a safe space for vulnerable cats and to support the people who love them. It’s this quiet but powerful dedication that has cemented its place as a true leader in cat rescue in the UK.

Now, with demand for its services higher than ever – and the cat welfare landscape changing post-pandemic – the Shelter is preparing for a much-needed move to a larger, more modern premises. But this isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about building the future of feline care, one paw print at a time.

This next chapter isn’t just a milestone for The Sheffield Cats Shelter – it’s a significant moment in the evolution of cat rescue in the UK. And it’s happening with a passionate new team, a powerful vision, and an open invitation to the community: help us grow, so we can help more cats thrive.

Meet the New Team Leading the Way

Big dreams need big hearts – and that’s exactly what The Sheffield Cats Shelter found in its newly appointed fundraising team. As the charity prepares to grow its impact and expand its home, it has welcomed three remarkable individuals whose passion, experience, and fresh energy are already creating ripples in the world of cat rescue in the UK.

Jacquie Neilson MBE steps into the role of Fundraising Manager with a reputation that precedes her. A lifelong advocate for animal welfare, Jacquie is best known for founding Rain Rescue in 2002 – a charity that has saved thousands of cats and dogs across Yorkshire. Her leadership extended nationally when she joined the board of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), helping shape strategy and policies that continue to influence how rescue work is done in the UK today. In recognition of her impact, Jacquie was awarded an MBE in the King’s 2024 New Year’s Honours list.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping animals,” Jacquie shared. “As a long-time supporter of The Sheffield Cats Shelter, I knew this was the right time to step in and offer my support. With a growing need for feline welfare, especially post-pandemic, our mission is to amplify the Shelter’s amazing work – not just locally, but within the wider world of cat rescue in the UK.”

Jacquie’s focus will be on building relationships with individual and corporate supporters, inviting them to become part of a legacy that’s already changed so many lives – both feline and human.

Alongside Jacquie is Millie Guthrie, the new Fundraising Lead. Millie brings a unique blend of creativity, resourcefulness, and heart, honed through a varied career that includes secondary school teaching, sales consultancy, and launching two successful businesses. But her connection to the Shelter is deeply personal: she began as a volunteer at the Ecclesall Road charity shop and has adopted two beloved cats through the organization.

“It’s a dream to now be working with a team so deeply committed to animal welfare,” Millie said. “Jacquie brings such wisdom and clarity, and Jordan is bursting with energy and fresh ideas. We’re a passionate trio, and we’re eager to raise both funds and awareness for this amazing independent charity. Plus, we’re always keen to collaborate with more local businesses and supporters.”

Bringing in a vibrant Gen Z perspective is Jordan Jonathan, who joins the team as Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. A recent apprentice from Sheffield College, Jordan has already worn many hats – from radio volunteer to freelance media creator – and has been supporting the Shelter behind the scenes for the past two years as a dedicated volunteer. Her new role puts her front and center of the Shelter’s public voice, with a focus on outreach, events, and digital storytelling.

“Joining the team officially feels like coming home,” Jordan said. “The Shelter’s mission has always spoken to me. I’m already knee-deep in planning our upcoming birthday bash on May 10, and I can’t wait to continue helping the Shelter grow – and to play a part in redefining what modern cat rescue in the UK can look like.”

Together, Jacquie, Millie, and Jordan form more than just a team – they are the passionate pulse of The Sheffield Cats Shelter’s future. Their combined experience bridges decades of rescue work, entrepreneurial spirit, and digital savvy. With them at the helm, the Shelter isn’t just preparing to expand – it’s preparing to lead.

A New Home for More Cats – and Bigger Dreams

With their hearts rooted in the past and their hopes soaring toward the future, The Sheffield Cats Shelter is preparing to make its most transformative move yet. As the demand for feline care continues to rise across South Yorkshire and beyond, the newly assembled fundraising team has one top priority: securing a larger, modern home worthy of the Shelter’s ever-expanding mission.

And this isn’t just about extra space. It’s about building a future-proof sanctuary that reflects everything the Shelter stands for – compassion, comfort, and a commitment to being a national leader in cat rescue in the UK.

So what does the dream look like?

The ideal location is somewhere in Sheffield – accessible via public transport, with a low-rise structure (two floors max) that can accommodate both cats and caretakers alike. But more than the basics, the team envisions a place that feels like a true refuge for every creature that enters its doors.

A few must-haves include:

Dedicated isolation and maternity units – to ensure vulnerable cats and kittens get the quiet, controlled care they need to recover and thrive.

Improved infection control facilities – a huge step forward in safeguarding feline health and managing complex medical needs.

Comfortable spaces for staff and volunteers – because those who give their hearts to rescue work deserve rest, collaboration, and community, too.

A welcoming, home-like setting – continuing the Shelter’s tradition of cage-free care that helps cats adjust more naturally to life in a loving home.

This expansion isn’t about scaling up for the sake of numbers – it’s about scaling deeper. It’s about being able to say “yes” more often: yes to the cat recovering from illness, yes to the abandoned mama with newborns, yes to the scared stray who just needs time. It’s a vision that will elevate not only the work happening in Sheffield, but the standards of cat rescue in the UK as a whole.

Sarah Smith, Charity Manager, knows the magnitude of this leap – and the love that’s behind it:

“The Sheffield community has shown us so much love and support over the years. As demand grows, so does the need for space. We never imagined that one part-time fundraising role would evolve into such a passionate and powerful team – and now we’re ready to take the next big step together.”

The Shelter is putting out a heartfelt call to the community: if you know of a location – an available property, a future site, or even a local connection – that could become the next home of The Sheffield Cats Shelter, please get in touch.

Email: info@sheffieldcats.org.uk

Because behind every great cat rescue story is a space where healing begins. And with your help, that next great space is within reach.

How You Can Support the Mission

Whether you’re a lifelong cat enthusiast, a business owner with a soft spot for whiskers, or simply someone who believes in kindness, you can be part of something truly special. The Sheffield Cats Shelter’s work isn’t just about helping individual cats – it’s about shaping the future of cat rescue in the UK.

With a new fundraising team and a bold expansion on the horizon, the Shelter is inviting the community to rally behind their mission. And the beauty is, there are so many ways to get involved – from big gestures to small, meaningful acts that ripple outward with impact.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Donate – Every pound donated directly supports the cats in their care. Whether it goes toward food, vet bills, enrichment toys, or the Shelter’s future home, your generosity becomes a lifeline for cats in need. Monthly donations help provide ongoing stability, but one-time gifts are just as powerful.

Know a property? – Have a tip about a space that might become the Shelter’s new forever home? Know someone in real estate who could help? These connections are pure gold. The ideal property will have good public transport links, a maximum of two floors, and enough space to support the Shelter’s unique, cage-free model of care.

Volunteer – Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Whether it’s helping with social media, organizing events, supporting the Shelter shop, or offering a bit of elbow grease during move-in day, volunteers are the heartbeat of this organization – and you’ll gain a few furry admirers along the way.

Share the story – Not everyone has time or money to spare – but everyone has a voice. Spread the word about The Sheffield Cats Shelter. Share their story, celebrate their work, and help them connect with new supporters, donors, and property leads. One post might lead to a home for a cat. One share might lead to the Shelter’s next chapter.

Stay Connected

Be part of the journey and watch as The Sheffield Cats Shelter continues to redefine compassionate cat rescue in the UK.

Follow their updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and adoption success stories on social media:

Instagram: @thesheffieldcatsshelter
X (Twitter): @CatsShelter
Facebook: The Sheffield Cats Shelter
LinkedIn: The Sheffield Cats Shelter

You don’t have to rescue a hundred cats to make a difference. You just have to care – and act. Let’s work together to create a brighter, safer future for the cats of Sheffield, and for cat rescue in the UK as a whole.

Why This Matters for Cat Rescue in the UK

This isn’t just a press release or a fundraising update – it’s the heartbeat of a legacy in motion. It’s about one Shelter, in one city, daring to dream bigger for the animals that have always depended on them. And it’s about the ripple effect that one act of compassion can create across an entire nation.

For nearly 130 years, The Sheffield Cats Shelter has stood quietly and steadfastly as a pillar of feline welfare – through wars, social change, economic upheaval, and now, in a post-pandemic world where the need for animal care has never been greater. Their cage-free model, community spirit, and unwavering love for every paw that crosses their threshold have helped shape what we now recognize as compassionate cat rescue in the UK.

But this moment is different. This is evolution – not just of the Shelter, but of the wider rescue landscape. With a bold new team, a powerful vision, and a call to the community, The Sheffield Cats Shelter is stepping into a role that transcends its postcode. It’s becoming a model for how rescue work can be done with both heart and strategy. It’s becoming a louder, stronger voice for the voiceless.

So, why does this matter?

Because behind every number in a fundraiser is a story. A pair of wide, unsure eyes. A cat who was abandoned, hungry, scared, or sick – and who found safety because this Shelter existed.

Because cat rescue in the UK is not just about shelters – it’s about all of us. It’s about choosing empathy, supporting change, and helping organizations like this not just survive, but thrive.

Let’s help make their dream a reality. Let’s help them find that new space, build that next chapter, and keep rewriting what it means to care – not just for cats, but for our communities too.

Because every cat deserves more than just a roof over their head.
They deserve a place to feel safe. A place to feel loved.
They deserve to feel home.