Max, Max, Max where do we even begin with Max.
Max came into us back in February 2025 after his owner sadly passed away. He wasn't with us for long before he was adopted out. Unfortunately it then wasn't long before he came back again, it turned out that once Max had settled he wanted to go back out as he'd always had his freedom from a kitten. We thought he'd be happy indoors as he was in the rescue however he made it clear in his new home he wasn't, it ended up causing him so much started to pull out chunks of his own furr and that's when the adopter said about him coming back.
Max then came back and within a week he learnt how to open my front door. Blocks were put in place to prevent this from happening and within days Max turned from this loving, very sweet, happy boy into this monster who would growl and grumble, scream this house down and again start to essentially self harm from the stress of feeling trapped. It was horrible and so heartbreaking to see, in the end we felt we had no choice but to bite the bullet and allow him so freedom until we could find him his furrever home.
Next minute we knew, Max had become somewhat of a local celebrity, he'd hang around the bus stop & marketplace sitting with people, keeping them company, then went as far as to steal their food out their bags. We ended up having to put a post up on our local noticeboard and the bus stop letting people know that he wasn't a starving stray he was just a greedy boy who loved food and the post blew up with many people commenting about enjoying seeing him and spending time with him so we decided to make him a treat box & place it on the market place were people could give him treats to enjoy instead of feeling the need to give their own food.
This then also blew up and many people loved it and the idea of it, multiple people had also made mentions of making him his own facebook page where people can follow about him & a group where people could share their photos and memories with him, this was something we weren't sure about doing due to the fact we didn't want to do all this for him to then be rehomed. At this point word had gotten to Max's original owners daughter where she expressed her happiness at feeling like Max had found his place and how much it meant to her seeing so many people love Max as much as her dad did, we asked her if she would be happy he stayed with us and she was absolutely made up with the offer.
Max now lives at the rescue, we all love him so very much. Believe me when I say I've never met a cat like Max, he truly is a very special and unique little boy who is an complete pleasure to look after. He's now known all throughout Weardale as 'Mad Max the Stanhope marketplace cat', he brightens so many peoples days as they pass, he has his own facebook page and group, he's found a loving home again & finally has his freedom back which was so very clearly important to him <3
Author: Zoe
Dora & Simon
Our lovely duo Dora & Simon came into us back in March 2025 after a lady had to move out of her home and couldn't take them with her, they hadn't done anything wrong. Dora & Simon were always lovely cats and weren't ever any bother.
They both individually had very sweet, loving and caring personality but it was clear that Dora was more independent. They really weren't with us long before they were snapped up and I mean... come on who could blame them!
Here is their updates for you all.
1 month later:
i am totally in love with them. Still having issues with them not liking each other but it's getting better i think. I know it's still early days x
- Julie
3 months in:
great over all. Still not the best of friends but they have their own space and their scrapping is light hearted. I keep an eye on it and separate them when I think i need to. They are lovely characters and they are definitely making themselves at home x
6 month update:
they are doing great. The only issue is that they don't like each other very much. Ive tried diffusers and sprays but they are really antagonist towards each other. I sometimes have to separate them. They both sleep with me on the bed most nights but not close to each other. I think it's the best we can hope for. They are lovely characters & are very cuddly cats. I have a real soft spot for Simon even though he is very cheeky. He loves a cuddle when I get in from work x
Skylar & Betty
Our beautiful sisters Skylar & Betty came into our care back in February 2025 after their owner sadly passed away. Skylar & Betty were both very scared when then came in and a little on the thin side however they very quickly gained weight back and showed us just how loving and caring they were.
Skylar & Betty were with us for a while however the eventually found their happy ever after with a lovely women how we knew would give them the most amazing life filled with plenty of love in Septemner
One month later and here is their update for you all:
we've had Skylar and Betty a full month now❤ The first few days they spent alot of time under the bed , but now they have took over the house.🙂
Skylar is so loving, she loves a cuddle and she's so laid back.
Little Betty is a little more timid but full of mischief, she loves to chase Skylar round the house😈
They have settled really well, cannt imagine been without them now❤
- Pat
Black & Ginger
Black & Ginger came into us back in February 2025 along with their mother after they were all found roaming near a care home. When they first came in it was clear mummy cat Holly knew what loved and affection was as she had definitely been owned in the past, she really was lovely. This troublesome two however were so scared and had no idea what was going on nor what love and affection looked liked by a human, which really was so sad.
Black & Ginger were the most hissy little babies bless them, however I could tell tell it was just out of pure fear rather then there actually being any aggression from them as when Id touch them & stroke them they'd only ever freeze up, they'd never ever attack. They would try and make themselves look scary, however I don't think they realised how cute they were, making their scary facade kind of terrible because their sweet sweet faces let them down on that side of things.
We had thankfully started gaining fosterers in the rescue now and this particular fosterer was amazing with scared, nervous kittens so after their 2 weeks of isolation Ginger and Black went off to their foster home (they were old enough to leave mum who at this point had kept hitting them because they were just doing her head in). Caroline our fosterer worked absolute wonders on these two making them into two of the most purry, sweet, cuddly kittens in the time she had them. It was incredible to see the turn around.
Then one day we got a wonderful adoption form through for them both that seemed perfect in every way for what they needed and away they went to their new happy ever after down south.
Here are their updates for you all,
1 month update:
After a few days being a bit nervous in their new home (though we could hear them causing mayhem at night when they thought we were alseep!) Brisket and Mac- formerly Black & Ginger- have settled in perfectly. They're both our shadows, always wanting cuddles or to play. Mac (Ginger) is the definition of chaos but he gets away with everything as soon as he starts his engine purrs. He was the first to come for cuddles and will always be squished right up against us, even if we're trying to work. Brisket (Black) took a few days longer to warm up to us, but now he can't come jump on our laps quick enough.
- Gaby
Holly
Our beautiful Holly came into us back in February of 2025 after being found by another rescuer who kindly took her in until we could. Holly had been hanging around a care-home for a long time whilst also bringing up her two gorgeous babies. Thankfully we got her babies too and everyone was safe.
Holly very quickly showed us that she had been owned before with her super loving personality and sweet sweet nature. Nobody ever came forward for her so after time had passed we found it super important to get her home that matched her and we did just that.
Here are her updates so far for you all.
1 month update:
Madison is still doing well, her tummy has settled and she’s very partial to chicken as a treat.
She’s really tolerant of Tilly following her round with her nose stuck up her bottom. She even gives her little head bumps.
Gracie is coming round slowly, the hissing and stand offs are getting less. Madison just walks away in slow motion.
She’s like a little fur missile when she jumps on your knee. She sits with me in her little cardboard TV while I’m working, it’s very tiring for her as you’ll see in the pictures 😂
She loves her tunnel, beds, water fountain and sunbathing, we’re all very happy 😃
- Felicity
3 month update:
Just thought I’d drop you a quick email to say Madison is living her best life, she deserves it😁
She’s the sweetest funniest girl and has turned into a real Chatty Cathy. She loves her toys, especially her little mice, we found a stash of them under our bed. She gives the best cuddles before she curls up in her own bed…. She loves her tortoise 🤣
She loves Tilly, she gives her little head bumps and rubs up against her. She gets on ok with Gracie, they still have their moments, mostly when they’re hangry, but no fights.
She’s still on the Royal Canin Gastrointestinal vet food, as she still has a bit of a dodgy tummy.
It’s interesting to see the least to feed them both different biscuits without them sneaking each others 🤣
She’s a little piggy and has put on weight nicely. She actually seems to have grown, she’s not the same tiny thing that arrived a few months ago.
Thank you so much for matching us, you do an amazing job. We love her very much.
6 months later:
Maddie is absolutely adorable and has made herself right at home. She sleeps wherever she wants, including Tilly’s bed and her cage, she’s the boss.😂
She snuggles up to us on a night when we’re watching TV and loves being brushed.
My back has deteriorated and when she hears me in pain in the night, she rushes in and stays with me pressed up against my side.
She loves Tilly to bits. She gets on ok with Gracie, I don’t think they’ll ever be BFF’s but there’s no hissing. Gracie has actually started to come downstairs more so I’ll take that as a win.
Dominic always laughs at her little moustache and says El Maddie is in the Cartel, he used AI to put a little Mexican hat on her.
She’s still on the veterinarian low calorie food as she’s a little piggy. We’ve got them both automatic feeders as she was constantly pestering for food and put them in different rooms. Now she sits and waits patiently for the dinner bell 😁. I heard crunching the other night and the little tinker had snuck into Gracie’s room polishing off her biscuits 🐷.
She’s the perfect combination, she loves playing and has her crazy half hours but then loves a brush and a cuddle. If she wakes up in the kitchen and we’ve moved into the sitting room, she cries like a baby. She is so comical. I’ve attached some pics to make you smile. 😃
We love her dearly and are so grateful for you matching us.
Nyx
Our black beauty Nyx came into us back in February 2025 after turning up to someone's house as a stray. The people tried to locate an owner but unfortunately they had no luck. The people tired to keep Nyx in the end as they grew very fond of her whilst trying to help her, however their existing cats did not appreciate this and started to make it very clear they weren't happy with her being around.
Against their own wishes they had to make the decision to sign Nyx over to rescue for her to be rehomed properly and tha'ts when she came into us. Nyx from the get go was just an absolute sweetie who was bonkers in the best way. Her big eyes & dark long furr was just part of her beauty. We knew she'd naturally take a little longer to rehome just purely based on colour however we also knew the person who took her would defiantly fall in-love with her.
Nyx became unwell when coming to rescue due to the stress, she ended up with flu and it was awful to see her so poorly however she made the most amazing recovery and eventually went off to start her happy ever after in August 2025 and here is her update for you all.
1 month:
Nyx is fine and causing mayhem. I'm still no 100% sure as Fitzwilliam still struggling and he's been under the weather last week so is grumpier than usual.
- Linda
Nala & Casper
Reserved
Hello my names Casper & this is my sister Nala. We are a brother and sister duo who came into the rescue through no fault of our own, it was just purely a unfortunate change of circumstances. We have been very loved and looked after our whole lives, we were actually the first ever to come to the rescue neutered, vaccinated & microchipped! Mummy Zoe was blown away.
Since coming to the rescue in January we've been checked over and the vets are very happy with all, we are simply just waiting for someone to look past our age and colour and see us for the super lovely, friendly, sweet cats we are. There isn't a bad bone in our bodies, we love attention and rubs, though I'm a little more shy at first then my sister, however once settled I am just a loving.
We have been here a while now and we really do feel like its our time to spread our wings and fly off into our next chapter of a nice loving happy home. We feel we would settle with existing cats however because of my allergy to meat based foods we would all have to be on fish based food. We would also be ok with calm, quieter dogs, children, there isn't much that would phase us as we are so lovely. We would also be just as happy staying as the pair we are in and being the only animals, as long as we are together we don't care as we a very close.
We just so want to find our happy ever after so please consider taking a chance on us, we promise you wont regret it! If you like the sound of us then please feel free to click the 'adoption' option below in quick links now for your chance to adopt us. Thank you for your time.
Diaz
Hi my names Diaz and I came to the rescue back in October 2024 after being born by my feral mum outside. Eventually we ended up at a lovely ladies house who helped feed and look after us along with our mum until we were old enough to leave her, the lady was happy to help still care for my mum as she was a very feral/shy cat but she believed whilst we were young enough we'd at least stand a chance of being able live & thrive in proper homes.
When I came to the rescue I was very quick to show my feisty side, I'd hiss & spit & strike. Mummy Zoe along with the volunteers started getting to work right away on me trying to show & prove the world isn't such a scary place whilst making me better after having been bunged up with flu from growing up outside. I am pleased to say though i'm still a fiery girl, I have indeed mellowed... A LOT. I'm just a fiery red head, I can't help it haha.
I whole-heartedly know in the right home with time, effort, love & compassion I would be able to thrive & continue to grow. I absolutely love other cats & have always been around them so I'd make a great friend & company for your other lovely furrbabies. I'm great with the litter tray & never have accidents, I'm a quite girl who doesn't make any mess or fuss... Really I am super easy to look after and should you give me love & time, in return I will eventually start to trust & love you too. I don't know how I'd feel about dogs that are overly excited and boisterous, I think that would be too much for me, I also don't want to be around any children as I am still a working progress & can be unpredictable when people get into my space & don't respect me. So a more relaxed home with existing cats where I can just be happy & come around in my own time would be wonderful for me.
If you feel you can give me that opportunity & chance I really would appreciate it so very much. I feel once I let down my guard & begin to trust you, you too would feel happy. Please click the 'Adoption' option below in quick links now to fill out a form for me if you feel ready to take on a challenge. Thankyou x
Molly & Megan
Hello everyone, my names Molly and I'm here with my sister Megan. We were born here in the rescue along with my brother, however he was quickly snapped up by a volunteer who ended up falling in-love with him and who can blame them, he was a cutie. However so are we and this is our call out to you in hopes you might fall in-love with us next.
We are the tinkers of the rescue and everyone agrees when its said that whoever gets us will never have a dull moment in their lives because not only are we super fun... We are also super funny. We really enjoy company, we love attention, cuddles and would love someone to sleep on the bed with or cuddle up on the couch with. We get on super well with other cats however we haven't been dog tested but truth be told if there was a cat friendly dog out there we probably would settle as we are fearless... We even follow and try and play with the hoover.
We know a lot of people find black and white cats boring but all we can do is promise you we aren't... We'd also be great with kids. We are so well behaved and are fully litter trained, we just want a place to call our own now but to stay indoors where we are safe.
If you like the sound of us then please dont hesitate to click the 'adoption' option below in quick links and fill a form out for us today. Thankyou for your time.x
Teddy
Our beautiful lad Teddy came into us back in December 2024 after turning up as a kitten at a nice ladies house with his mum & siblings.
Teddy was a very shy, nervous and reserved cat but when a lady came to visit him in rescue his gorgeous looks and shy personality made her fall in love with him almost instantly & with that, before we knew it, Teddy was being reserved and preparations were put in place for him to go to his new furrever home once he was ready and here are his updates for you all.
1 month later:
Well officially one month of having teddy, what can i say im so happy at how close they both have become, they groom each other, they snuggle up together, they now share food bowls, almost mastered for the sit command with teddy for a treat, he now allows me to brush him out, hes still not sure about sitting on my knee or close by me but come bed time hes snuggled up beside me while cairo lies on the pillow, hes come on leaps and bounds 🧸
- Michelle
3 month update:
What can i say i feel like hes always been here, hes mastered sitting for a treat without a prompt now hes such a clever boy, he has now started to wake up for his breakfast and does my poor arm not know about it, hes now edging his way closer to me while i sit on the sofa on an evening sometimes he will snuggle up next to me on the bed at bedtime. He now also enjoys a brush out but only on his terms.I cant imagine my house without him now him and cairo have snuggles, groom each other and play together.
Lovely Teddys 6 month update:
Wow 6 months already were has that time gone, hes the sweetest boy and loves to play, loves been brushed, him and cairo love to play together and it does get a bit rough at times no damage done to any of my boys tho so they know there limits. They cuddle up together and the more i look at him the more i love him and id be totally lost without my teddy. He now comes downstairs when i have visitors to say hi and they all comment on how beautiful his colour is and his lottle chirp rather than a meow xx