Many congratulations to the Chestnut’s imaginatively named “CATS R US!” Team for coming 7th in the pub quiz to celebrate the end of kitten season. (we really thought long and hard to get the team name just right!) And yes there were more than seven teams!). A surprisingly amount of specific knowledge was known about England’s rugby team players – I am sure they were studied purely for their technical ball skills!

Well done for everyone’s contribution, we are clearly a very clever bunch! – our team Captain was an inspiration to us all?! but at least she informed everyone in the pub if they were looking to rehome a cat Chestnuts is the place to be!

* The end of kitten season may have been celebrated but due to the warm weather during September and early October many more un-neutered pregnant mums have come into the sanctuary so kittens (to be homed in pairs for feline company) are unfortunately still plentiful!

Calling all you Green Fingers! Chestnut Cat Sanctuary “Everyone Can Initiate Miracles” M.I.C.E Scheme October Social Event "Gardening Afternoon" Help to make the sanctuary a pretty and peaceful place to be! Tuesday October 30th 2007 2-4pm All Welcome Along! Refreshments available. (Thanks to all the volunteers who took part in the September painting and groomathon - the cats clearly enjoyed the special treatment with all the purrs!)

Celebrity Amanda Drew who was “Doctor May” in the soap Eastenders and her fabulous rescued greyhound “Ron” joined the Chestnut Girls at the October half-term Family Fun event “Paws for Thought” organised in conjunction with the Animal Welfare Team at Epping Forest District Council, the Guide Dogs for the Blind, Pets As Therapy, The Retired Greyhound Trust and The Dogs Trust. It was lovely to meet so many adorable dogs who were not fazed by all the attention from the little ones that they received.
A huge thank you to all the Chestnut Volunteers who took part over the four days and gave up their free time to talk to families about the work of the cat sanctuary, how to care for cats and highlight the importance of getting cats and kittens neutered. It was lovely to meet all the people who have re-homed a Chestnut cat and hear how they are doing. A big paws of gratitude to those who supported the sanctuary Gill, Hamish, Charlotte, Helen, Marion, Jackie, Danielle, Debbie, Helena, Tracy and Lewis your time was greatly appreciated! (it would be a catastrophe if I forgotten anyone so please let me know!)

Chestnut Sanctuary were in the competition and I can reveal now the answers were
1. What must all cast have done to prevent many more unwanted cats Answer: Neuter and 2. How many kittens can one un-neutered cat have in one year Answer; 343! My goodness that is a lot of cats to find new loving homes for. If you need more information on getting your cat neutered for free please contact the sanctuary on 01992 560 510 10.30-2pm everyday!

A particular thank you to Hamish, Jackie and Charlotte who were fabulous dressed up as “Scoop” the dog to welcome families to the “Paws for Thought” October half-term family fun event. We all thought you looked fabulous and thankfully didn’t scare too many children!

(I am sure the sanctuary cats will forgive you if you promise to dress up as cats some time soon).

Hi there!

My name is Maisie, I am a gorgeous 7 year old girly. My owners moved abroad in the Summer and didnt want me to go with them! Hence I am looking for a new pad, I'm not much trouble; just need to be fed, watered, with somewhere warm to sleep and a few cuddles would be nice!

I have been passed by a few times but if you think I could be the cat for you I am in Pen 12!

While I am here I will tell you a little bit about the cutie "Owen" I fancy in Pen 9! He has a mane to be proud of, I could snuggle up with him and be very cosy! A gentle soul looking for a home to rest his sumptuous paws in. Owen and Thomas (black and white cat) are two of the many cats here left as the result of a relationship breakdown. Some of my girly competition with the boys includes the tabby threesome Lilly, Cassie and Grace (obviously not as wondeful as me!) but still all deserving of a new home.

Anyway if you do pop down I would always appreciate a stroke under the chin!

Paws for now Maisie x x

Well Hello there! arent we fab? no need to answer as I know me and my brother are stunning, we have the look and the talk (or in our case the purr) and we need to purr to you right now to say CONGRATULATIONS to Reanna Austin from Ivy Chimneys Primary School in Epping for winning our 2007 cat compeititon to name the sanctuary's 4000th cat. Well done Reanna your picture was fab! We love the name "Moonlight" and fancy doing a bit of it ourselves some time soon. Paws to all those at Chestnut who helped us home 4000 cats which were all neutered as well to prevent any more unwanted cats and kittens what a fab job you have all done!

We do purr for you Reanna as it is a purrfect shame you are allergic to cats!! just our luck but we hope you have had a purrfect time reading your name next to our picture and know that we are all very pleased that we had so many entries in from Ivy Chimneys your clearly purrrrfect!

Paws to you all! Love all the Chestnut Cats x x

P.S we are not siamese cats! we just really like to snuggle we both have our own sets of 4 paws!!!

Wow what a month September has been! Some of my old friends have finally found their paws are now resting on soft and comfy beds in new homes. I expect they are being treated to caviar and cream whilst I am still stuck here. So enough of them let me tell you a little bit about me! I am gorgeous as you can see from my picture. I came for sanctuary early in summer with my 6 month old kitten. I really wish someone had neutered me when I was 6 months old as having a baby took a lot out of me and I was very thin! Still they have fed me well especially that woman who comes on a Tuesday night although she seems to try to kiss me all over which gets in the way of the more important things such as supper! I adore a treat of fresh chicken and am happy to sit on anyone’s lap who might have some to give me. I am not overly keen on children and will put you in your place with a little nip if you should stroke my tail as I prefer to swish it about in your face. I like to be treated like a princess, if you come to see me I am often laid full stretch on the top shelf on my blanket. My fur is as soft as silk so what are you waiting for??? Surely a nip or two won't put you off giving me a chance of a home? (I might even stop once I get the chance to go home).

Anyway love n’ hugs till then paws out Cindy-Lou x x

To all those homed in September hope your having a purrrrrrrrrrrfect time!

Molly, Alice, Pixie, Charlie, Ollie, Tigger-Lily, Pinky, Minky, Perky, Lady, Lucy, Essex Girl, Frisky, Coco, Coco, Kizzy, Rosey, Vesper, Archie, Alfie, Rosie, and even our long terms Tammy & Kitty and Tatiana