celia hammond animal trust
Animal Rescue Charity
Celia Hammond Animal Trust is a unique non destruction charity providing essential low cost veterinary services for sick and injured pets as well as a rescue and homing service for unwanted, abandoned and stray cats in London and the South East.
Please help us build a dedicated rescue and rehoming centre, and secure the future of our Lewisham hub for decades to come
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A NEW RESCUE AND REHOMING CENTRE IN LEWISHAM
In October 2023, we were granted planning permission to redevelop the Friendly Street warehouse and former shop at the rear of our Lewisham site into a new rescue and rehoming centre.
Phases 1 and 2A of the project have been funded by legacy gifts. Phase 1 of the building works has already been completed and phase 2A works are to commence shortly. We are now fundraising to pay for phase 2B, the construction of the main two-storey building, and we really need your support in funding the next stage of this project.
Please donate whatever you can afford and help us continue caring for animals who need us most.
Celia Hammond Animal Trust
OFFICIAL PAGE Celia Hammond Animal Trust, UK. We rescue rehabilitate and re-home abandoned animals.
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION – BELLINGHAM, SE6
On Friday afternoon, two tiny kittens, estimated to be just one week old, were found abandoned in a cardboard box left on a resident's doorstep in Grangemill Road, Bellingham, London SE6.
The kittens were cold, dirty and vulnerable. One kitten has suffered a bite wound to a leg and is currently receiving antibiotic treatment. Both of the kittens are now safe in our care and are being hand-reared around the clock.
We believe they may have been born to a stray mother cat and that someone may have found them but did not know how to help. Our greatest concern is that their mother cat and possibly other siblings may still be in the area and in need of assistance.
We have placed posters around the local area and are appealing to anyone who may have seen a nursing mother cat, other kittens, or who has any information about where these kittens came from.
If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact us at:
📧 lewisham@celiahammond.org
Please share this post to help us reach the local community and reunite us with any information that could help locate their mother and any remaining siblings.
Thank you for your support. ... See MoreSee Less
🐾 Happy Adoption Thursday 🐾
“Sixteen years ago, I fostered a mum cat called Silver, her six-month-old kitten, and Silver’s newborn kittens after they were found abandoned in a box outside Celia Hammond’s Canning Town Centre.
Silver was emaciated and deeply traumatised. Her six-month-old kitten stepped in to help care for the newborn kittens, guarding them and looking after them when Silver simply couldn’t cope.
I was fortunate enough to foster the family until the kittens were old enough to be returned for adoption. In the end, I couldn’t part with Silver and her teenage kitten. Silver was renamed Bessie and her daughter became Minnie, and both girls became part of our family.
They grew up alongside our son, and watching their special bond over the years brought us so much joy.
A few months ago, we sadly lost Minnie to lymphoma at the age of 15. We miss her every day. Bessie is now 19 years old and enjoying her retirement. After speaking to the charity following Minnie’s passing, we decided not to introduce another cat and instead let Bessie enjoy her time of dotage, which turned out to be the best advice we could have received.
I will always be grateful to Celia herself, who showed me around the Canning Town rescue all those years ago. It is a memory I have never forgotten.
The joy these two special cats have brought to our lives is beyond words, and I will always feel indebted to the charity for everything they do.” – Kate x
What an extraordinary story. From being abandoned in a box to spending 16 years surrounded by love, Bessie and Minnie’s journey is a wonderful reminder of why rescue matters.
We are so sorry for the loss of beautiful Minnie, but delighted to hear that Bessie is still enjoying life at the grand age of 19.
Thank you, Kate, for opening your home and heart to this very special family and for sharing their story with us. ❤️
➡️ Have you adopted from Celia Hammond Animal Trust? We’d love to hear from you! Send your photos via Messenger using the words “Happy Adoption” to share your update.
#cat #AdoptDontShop #HappyAdoption #RescueCat ... See MoreSee Less
❤️ Elsa Update ❤️
Last week, we shared Elsa’s story - a young cat who came into our care covered in urine and suffering from a severely infected kidney that had to be removed in emergency surgery to save her life.
We often talk about the life-saving veterinary treatment our cats receive, but this update highlights the lengths our wonderful nurses go to in helping rehabilitate the cats in our care, with Elsa proudly helping our Head Veterinary Nurse, Nicky, model her uniform! 😻
Our team have been working hard to help Elsa feel comfortable and clean again. She has now had two baths and is looking so much brighter. The urine staining on her coat has already reduced significantly and will continue to fade over time. Most importantly, Elsa is now clean, comfortable and using her litter tray beautifully.
From a frightened little cat living in constant discomfort to a bright young girl enjoying life again, Elsa has come such a long way in a short space of time.
Recovery doesn’t end when the surgery is over. It takes patience, dedication and lots of hands-on nursing care to help cats like Elsa heal both physically and emotionally, and we are so proud of the care our team provide every day.
We are so grateful to everyone who donated, shared her story and supported her recovery. Every donation helps us continue providing life-saving treatment and ongoing care for cats like Elsa, as well as food, shelter, veterinary care and rehabilitation for the many other cats and kittens who have nowhere else to turn.
Thank you from all of us, and from Elsa too. ❤️
#RescueCat #CatRescue #VetNurse #CatCare #cat ... See MoreSee Less
Found in a hospital bin store
Candy and her five tiny kittens are now safe at our Lewisham Centre after being rescued from an industrial bin store at a busy NHS hospital. Honestly, this is the kind of call we’re getting every single day at the moment.
Amanda, who works at the hospital, had been seeing Candy around for weeks. She did everything she could to help, providing food and a makeshift shelter. The hospital porters stepped in too. They all cared, and thank goodness they did.
So when Amanda discovered Candy had given birth in the middle of the bin store, tucked between industrial bins and old medical equipment, none of us were surprised.
Heartbroken, yes. Shocked, no. This is exactly what happens when a cat is left unneutered & left to fend for herself. It’s happening far too often.
With foxes around, weekly bin collections & constant activity, Candy and her newborns were in a really dangerous spot. Amanda & a colleague spent over two hours trying to catch them before calling us. Even though we are absolutely full, we just couldn’t leave them.
Thanks to Amanda’s determination, the hospital staff’s kindness and our rescue team stepping in, Candy and her babies are now safe, warm & being properly cared for. Mum has been named after Camden & Islington NHS Trust, & her kittens are Jellybean, Truffle, Toffee, Biscuit and Nugget. They’re all doing well. Candy is being a brilliant mum.
This is the reality for us now: mums giving birth outside, abandoned cats, cruelty cases, constant requests for help. It’s not seasonal, it’s not occasional, it’s all year, every year.
We’re doing everything we can, but honestly, we’re only just holding it together. Far more cats than adopters are heading our way, and we don’t see it slowing down.
If anyone would like to support our work during this incredibly busy and challenging time, we would be so grateful. Every rescue comes with the cost of food, vet care, neutering, microchipping and ongoing support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep saying “yes” when cats like Candy need us.
Donation link in the first comment below:
If you’re not able to donate, please share. Adopt, don’t shop. Thank you 🙏 ... See MoreSee Less
Chonk and Liya are still waiting for their forever home 🐾
These two have the kind of bond that quietly breaks your heart and puts it back together again.
Both around 3–4 years old, Chonk and Liya had difficult starts in life. Liya was found surviving in a greenhouse, where she gave birth to her kittens. Chonk was abandoned in a carrier in a waiting room, with no note, no history, and no one coming back for him.
When they first arrived, both were terrified.
Chonk was especially nervous and took a long time to trust. Liya kept herself completely guarded and would run at the slightest movement.
And then they met each other.
From that moment, everything began to change.
Chonk became Liya’s safe place. With him nearby, she found the courage to be braver, softer and more open to affection. She presses herself against him for reassurance, and when he is close, she allows herself to enjoy gentle strokes and attention.
Without him, her walls go back up.
Chonk has blossomed too. He is now a sweet, affectionate boy who enjoys company, welcomes fuss and loves curling up on a cosy blanket beside you.
They are not cats who should be separated. Their bond is their confidence, their comfort and their whole little world.
Chonk and Liya are looking for:
• A calm, adult-only home
• An experienced, patient owner
• A garden to explore
• Someone who understands that trust takes time
• A home together, always
We know pairs can be harder to home. We know nervous cats are often overlooked. But these two have already lost so much, and they deserve to keep the one thing that makes them feel safe: each other.
If you can offer Chonk and Liya the understanding home they need, please get in touch with our Canning Town branch at helloadoptions@celiahammond.org.
And if you can’t adopt, please share. The right person may be just one share away. ❤️
#adoptdontshop #cat #catoftheday #cats #animalrescue ... See MoreSee Less
🐾 Happy Adoption Thursday 🐾
"We adopted Ralphie from Celia Hammond Lewisham in April 2025 after he was found wandering alone in a local park.
It didn't take long for us to fall in love with his unique looks and sweet personality, and now Ralphie is very much king of the castle and living the life of a very spoiled child.
His favourite things include naps on his heated mat, chasing flies around the house, and drinking water exclusively from clear glasses. He also has some very strong opinions. Ralphie dislikes his parents having lie-ins past 6am, closed wardrobe doors, and having any sort of curfew!
We couldn't imagine life without him and feel so lucky that he found his way to us." – Alice x
We absolutely love hearing how well Ralphie has settled into his forever home and how thoroughly he has his family wrapped around his paw. ❤️
And finally, a very happy birthday to Ralphie, who celebrated his special day last week! 🎉🎂 Everyone here at CHAT would like to wish you a wonderful year ahead, filled with fly-chasing adventures, clear glasses of water and plenty of cuddles.
➡️ Have you adopted from Celia Hammond Animal Trust? We'd love to hear from you! Send your photos via Messenger using the words "Happy Adoption" to share your update.
#cat #AdoptDontShop #HappyAdoption #RescueCat #ForeverHome ... See MoreSee Less
Dumped like rubbish in the sweltering heat.
Three tiny kittens were dumped in a plastic carrier on one of the hottest days we've had this year.
On Tuesday 26th May, just before our phone lines closed, calls started coming in from worried residents in East London. Photos had been shared in a local WhatsApp group showing three kittens abandoned inside a clear plastic backpack carrier on a housing estate.
Honestly, when we saw the photos, our hearts sank. The carrier was sitting in the heat, and the kittens were squashed together and trapped inside.
Without hesitation, Amanda, one of our dedicated rescue volunteers of more than 20 years, dropped everything she was doing and rushed to the scene.
Just 30 minutes later, the kittens were safely with us.
They arrived overheated and lethargic, but thanks to the quick actions of the local community and our rescue team, they were given the chance they so desperately needed.
Today, we're delighted to say that not only have they recovered, but they are thriving.
Meet the Little Lads ❤️ Napoleon, Prince and Tom.
These three boys are around three months old, full of character, and completely devoted to one another. They eat together, sleep together, play together and seek comfort in one another's company.
Since arriving with us, they have been fully vet-checked, neutered, and are now ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.
After everything they have endured together, we would love to see them adopted as a trio. We know finding a home for three kittens together is a big ask, but we also know that somewhere out there is a family willing to open their hearts to three little brothers who have so much love to give.
Please share their story and help us find their forever family.🐾
#cats #catrescue #kitten #kittenrescue #adoptdontshop ... See MoreSee Less
National Volunteers' Week 2026
This Volunteers' Week, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers from all our centres .
The work of Celia Hammond Animal Trust simply would not be possible without your dedication, compassion and commitment. Day in and day out, you help care for the cats and kittens in our centres by cleaning, feeding, socialising and providing the love and attention they need while they wait for their forever homes.
From helping nervous cats gain confidence to supporting kittens as they grow and thrive, your care makes a real difference to the welfare of every animal that comes through our doors. Your hard work ensures our cats have clean, comfortable environments, full tummies, and the best possible chance of finding a loving new home.
We also want to recognise our incredible fosterers, thank you for everything you do behind the scenes for the cats in your care ❤️
You are all an invaluable part of our charity, and we are so grateful for the time, kindness and dedication you give so generously.
Thank you for helping us change the lives of so many cats and kittens, every single day. And if you’d like to join our team please get in touch. ❤️ #volunteering #CatsMatter #giveitago #catlovers ... See MoreSee Less
🚨 URGENT APPEAL FOR ELSA 🚨
When an independent rescuer responded to a social media advert for three cats, she never expected to find a young cat in such a devastating condition.
Elsa, who is around 6 months old was covered in urine and had a huge swelling down one side of her body. Realising this was far beyond what she could manage alone, the rescuer contacted us for help.
Once Elsa was admitted into our care and assessed by our veterinary team, the reality was even worse than anyone had imagined.
The swelling was caused by a kidney that was three times the size it should have been and filled with pus. The kidney was leaking, leaving Elsa soaked in urine and living in constant discomfort. Without emergency surgery, she would not have survived.
Two of our vets operated late into the night to remove the infected kidney and save her life.
Thankfully, Elsa came through surgery well and is now safely in our care. ❤️
Her veterinary costs have already reached £1,100, and while her prognosis is positive, she will need ongoing monitoring and management to ensure her remaining kidney stays healthy. We are committed to providing that care for as long as she needs it and, when the time is right, finding her the loving forever home she deserves.
We stepped in because Elsa had nowhere else to turn. We have taken responsibility for her future, her veterinary care and her eventual rehoming. Now we need your help.
🐾 Can you help us cover the cost of Elsa's lifesaving treatment? 🐾
Every donation, no matter how small, will help towards her surgery, recovery and ongoing care. If you can't donate, please share this appeal. The more people who see Elsa's story, the more chance we have of raising the funds needed to support her.
This young cat has already endured more pain and neglect than any animal should. Thanks to the quick actions of an independent rescuer and the dedication of our veterinary team, she now has a future.
❤️ We’ve also included a direct donation link in the first comment below.
#UrgentAppeal #CatRescue #AnimalRescueUK #VetBillAppeal #RescueCat #DonateToHelp #EveryShareCounts ... See MoreSee Less