Hundreds of messages of support have flooded in for a well established animal charity, after it found all its activity has been put on hold for breaking lockdown rules.

West Cumbria Cats Protection announced via their Facebook page that their telephone line and website had been cancelled and all activity was now ‘on hold.’ They said in their post: “This has come about through a series of events in which we rehomed cats and kittens during charity ‘lockdown’ (not Government lockdown); which has been classed as being against the rules.”

A spokesman for Cats Protection said: “All of our branches were informed at the start of lockdown that they could not admit or rehome any cats or kittens until we had all of the necessary procedures and safety measures in place. There have also been weekly email updates sent to all volunteers throughout the charity to let them know the progress in terms of resuming activity.

“When we discovered two weeks ago that West Cumbria branch had been undertaking rehoming, we had no option but to place the branch on ‘hold’ immediately to ensure that no further activity could occur until we had established what had happened and to ensure there had been no breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.

“From June 1, there was an easing of Government restrictions but that did not extend to cat work. Cats Protection are following sector guidance and will be re-starting activity in line with this, supported by health and safety documentation and training which is a legal requirement.

“Cats Protection has a safeguarding duty to our staff, volunteers and members of the public, as well as meeting all our requirements in relation to cat welfare. "Five cats and kittens who were in branch care have now been safely rehomed locally with the people who reserved them during lock-down. All other cats remain with branch fosterers, and some of these will soon be going to their new homes, safely delivered via our Hands-Free Homing process.

“We have spoken to all the branch fosterers, apart from one who does not wish to engage with the process, and there are no issues or concerns about the cats being cared for by the majority of these fosterers. The charity is working with the West Cumbria committee to help them get back to helping cats as soon as possible, as we know they play a pivotal role in the area.

“Our main priority is to the health and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and the general public as well as the cats and kittens in our care.

“Where we have been able to, we have started to rehome cats via our Hands Free Homing scheme which follows strict protocols to ensure health and safety at all times and we hope to be able to resume branch homing, neutering and fostering as soon as we are able to. We recognise the frustrations for many in our branch network who want to continue with their tireless efforts to help with cat welfare up and down the country but at the moment we must abide by the current regulations which are in place.”

The West Cumbria branch thanked the public for their support via their Facebook page at the weekend. They said: “As a team, we’re feeling much more positive that there is a future for our tiny West Cumbria Cats Protection branch.

“Lots of work to do for everyone involved, so please stick with us whilst we try and iron out these prickly bits. You have no idea how much support, love, compassion and emotion we have seen from people near and far, and we have been utterly overwhelmed and amazed at the response our little team has received.”