A LOCAL cat lover has created the 'purrfect' home for tearaway tabbies and strutting siamese. A new sanctuary called 'Cats Cradle' has been set up by the cat woman of Yealand Redmayne, Gabrielle Oldfield, who has been caring for her feline friends for the last 12 years. It still warms her heart to hear a bedraggled tom cat purr for the first time and despite dealing with a constant procession of strays it remains a labour of love.

"I adore cats, it's just part of me and always has been," says Gabrielle, who gives a name to each cat and kitten that comes her way.

"I'm known as someone who will take in any stray - the orphans, the wild ones, the lost causes. I always get to know them and give them names. I recently called one Norman, I don't know why, he just looked like a Norman."

After all these years dealing with felines she has built up a tremendous amount of practical knowledge and to help support 'Cats Cradle' she has set up an advice line so that people can call on her expertise for a small donation. "I can help with all sorts of behavioural problems. I've seen siamese sulk and had to try and tame semi-wild cats who have been fending for themselves. It's fantastic when they start to trust and purr for the first time. There's been loads of times when people have turned up with battered tom cats with chewed ears and said 'here's one for you.' But that's why I'm here. August is always a busy time. About 250 cats pass through my care each year."

Vets and locals have been supportive with food parcels being left at the sanctuary at Brow Foot Farm. For more information about 'Cats Cradle' call Gabrielle on 781308.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.