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Our Story
Save a Stray was founded by Joanne Holmes, helped by her daughter Georgia, driven by witnessing cats left to suffer outside with no help available and the simple belief that every cat deserves care, safety, and a chance at a better life. What began over ten years ago as one woman helping stray and abandoned cats, has grown into a dedicated rescue supported by a small but passionate team of volunteers. In 2025, the group’s long-standing work moved to charitable status and registered with the Charities Commission.
Each year, the rescue helps 300+ cats and kittens, with around 50-60 in care at any one time. Cats come to us from all situations – abandoned pets, injured strays, frightened and vulnerable kittens born on the streets. Every cat receives individual care, whether that means emergency veterinary treatment, rehabilitation in foster homes, neutering, rehoming, or safe management through trap, neuter and return. Being a small charity, they do not have a charity premises, cats are cared for at Jo’s home and in a multitude of magnificent foster homes helping the cats and kittens to be socialised and not fearful of people.
Joanne and the very small volunteer team work tirelessly behind the scenes, often responding to urgent situations at short notice when someone reports a cat in desperate need of treatment and often homeless. Their commitment ensures that cats who would otherwise be ignored or left to suffer are given time, compassion, and dignity, no matter how challenging their circumstances.
What We Do
Rescue
Based in South Yorkshire, we are at the coalface of real cat rescue. Every day, we are out on the streets helping the cats nobody else can — the injured, the sick, the elderly, abandoned adults and vulnerable newborn kittens.
South Yorkshire is overwhelmed by cats, and the situation has reached epidemic levels. Neutering is the answer — neuter, neuter, neuter — but for the cats who missed out on that chance, rescue is now their only option.
Once you have seen them, neglected and poorly on the streets, wondering where their home has gone and why they aren’t in the warmth, you cannot walk away. This is what true rescue means.
Our numbers speak for themselves. Last year alone, our small, volunteer-run group rescued 304 cats, each one given a chance they would not otherwise have had.
Care
Every cat that comes into our care is treated with love, compassion and respect, as if they were our own. We never put a cat to sleep because of the cost of care or because their needs are complex or challenging. Our small but dedicated team is committed to finding the right path forward for each cat, supporting them for as long as they need until they are ready for the right home.
We take in cats regardless of age, breed, health condition or veterinary needs. Space is always our biggest challenge, but for cats in urgent or critical need, we do everything we can to find room and ensure they receive the help they deserve.
We work closely with veterinary practices who understand the realities of animal rescue and help guide us in providing the most appropriate treatment for every cat. While we remain responsible for all veterinary costs, we are incredibly grateful for the support our vets give us through their advice and discounted fees.
As we do not have our own premises, each cat is placed in a carefully matched foster home where their individual needs can be met. While in our care, cats receive veterinary treatment as recommended, appropriate nutrition, flea and worm treatment, and neutering to prevent unwanted litters in the future. Many cats arrive in poor condition — particularly those who have lived on the streets or in homes affected by illness, hardship or lack of understanding. We take the time to assess what each cat needs to recover, and we support them patiently on their journey back to health and safety.
Rehome
When a cat or kitten has completed all necessary veterinary procedures and is ready to begin looking for their forever home, we work closely with our foster carers to understand their personality, energy levels and individual behaviours. Every cat is different, and finding the right match is at the heart of our rehoming process. Rather than simply finding a home for a cat, we focus on matching each cat to the home that best suits their needs — and helping people find the cat that fits their lifestyle.
Potential adopters can view the cats available for rehoming on our website and submit an enquiry for the cat they feel may be right for them. One of our volunteers will then get in touch to have a friendly conversation about the cat, the type of home they need, and the adopter’s previous experience with cats — whether they’re seasoned owners or welcoming their first feline companion. Some cats are suited to a wide range of homes, while others have more specific needs, and we guide adopters carefully to ensure they’re not taking on more than they can realistically manage.
All adoptions are supported by an adoption contract and clear guidelines, which set out our shared commitment to the cat’s welfare for the duration of their natural life. Once everyone is happy that the match is right, adopters are invited to meet the cat in their foster home and, following a successful meet, the cat can then go home to start the next chapter of their life with their new family.
Education
Alongside rescuing and rehoming cats, we provide practical advice and guidance to help improve cats’ welfare and prevent unnecessary relinquishment. While we don’t deliver formal education programmes or external workshops, we regularly support members of the public, adopters and cat owners through phone and email advice. This includes helping people understand a cat’s needs, behaviour, health, and how to prepare their home for a successful adoption.
We also work hard to prevent cats from needing rehoming wherever possible. Often, small changes can make a big difference, and we offer tailored tips and reassurance to help owners overcome common challenges such as behavioural issues, settling a new cat, or introducing cats into multi-pet households. We actively promote neutering as a vital step in reducing unwanted litters and improving long-term welfare, helping people make informed, responsible choices that benefit both cats and their owners.
With Your Help, We are Making The World a Better Place
Every day, our small but dedicated team works to rescue, care for, and rehome cats across South Yorkshire. But we can’t do it alone — it’s the generosity of our supporters that makes it possible to provide love, food, and veterinary care to every cat in our care.
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