Raise the Roof

Aim

In order to continue our vital work, we need extensive works carried out on our shelter roof. We are raising funds for this roof work.

The Cats Whiskers was started in 2018 by a small group of dedicated Clackmannanshire locals seeing a greater need for efforts in cat welfare locally.  

To start, we did this through raising funds in our charity shop in Alva to allow us to support the foster and rehoming of a small number of cats.  Soon, the pressing need triggered our vision to grow - we wanted to be able to offer much wider support for rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming for cats.  We also know the incredible benefits having a cat (or indeed any animal) can bring to people, but often saw financial stressors mean incredible owners forced to give up their cats.  We wanted to support owners avoid this where possible.  

Through hard work and determination, since 2018 we have:

- rehomed almost 1000 cats

- become a Blue Cross Distribution centre, and operate a pet food bank of our own

- built partnerships with local, regional, and national organisations to build better education (e.g. on neutering) and practical supports for owners and potential owners locally

Most importantly, we managed to secure a building on Broad Street Alloa to open a Shelter!  Thanks to funding from Edna Smylie, Pets Foundation, private donations and more, we have built bespoke state of the arts pens, lowering infection risk, and allowing the cats in our care natural light through sky lights.

However, after three winters of temporary repairs, the shelter roof now requires complete replacement.  The current corrugated Chrysotile roof has deteriorated beyond repair, resulting in water ingress through roof lights and into the insulated fibre boards inside the building.  A new roof will provide a long-term solution, protecting the building while allowing us to retain skylights that provide natural light and support cat wellbeing. This work is essential to safeguarding our rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming services. 

Since forming in 2018, demand for our support has continued to grow, particularly as local animal welfare services have reduced capacity. Without these repairs, the building could become unsuitable for cat care, placing our vital local service at risk.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th August 2026 at 5:00pm