West Yorkshire RSPCA branch is preparing for a record kitten season following the effects of the pandemic and lockdowns.
And to help raise funds to pay for food, vet bills and medicine to help handle the influx, the staff at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District are joining forces with ROKT Foundation to invite people to take on the scratching post challenge on Yorkshire’s highest indoor climbing wall.
When: April 1st at ROKT Brighouse
April is dubbed as the start of kitten season – when cats are most likely to give birth – but after three lockdowns RSPCA staff fear many cats may not have been neutered and as a result the local charity could face their busiest wave of cats and kittens ever.
The costs associated with looking after so many rescued animals are higher than ever, so the RSPCA branch is appealing for people to sign up for the fundraiser at ROKT in Brighouse on April 1 to generate much needed income through a day of sponsored climbs – dubbed the scratching post challenge as a link to cats’ love of climbing.
Lauren Moore of the RSPCA, said: ‘’Many people still don’t realise that even a young cat at four or five months old can become pregnant. And given the lockdowns and difficulty in being able to access veterinary services as a result of the pandemic, we fear a huge number of cats won’t have been neutered as they usually would have.
“Even when services have been back open, the change to people’s lives mean the usual things may have been forgotten or they haven’t been able to afford to do so and it all adds up.
“So we’re preparing for our busiest ever influx of cats and kittens this spring and with that comes a lot of associated costs to make sure these animals get the care and treatment they need.
‘’Even without a major influx during kitten season, we still face rising costs for the basics to provide care for all our animals until we can find their forever homes
“That’s why we’ve teamed up with the ROKT Foundation charity to run this unique fundraiser because although we will need to raise funds to cover the significant costs for their care, we also want to raise awareness of the importance of neutering or spaying your cat too.
Katie Kinsella, ROKT Foundation’s Director for Community & Business Engagement, said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re seasoned climber or a complete novice, we have climbing routes for everyone and the team at ROKT Foundation will help get you up the wall and raise some much needed money for this wonderful charity.
Pocket, Chalk and Boulder. AKA, all you will need for this challenge!
“Cats love to climb and so do we, so it’s a perfect partnership to raise funds and attention for a very real problem our local RSPCA faces. But with everyone’s help, we can all make a difference.”
To sign up for the challenge or to find out more please visit: www.rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk/the-scratching-post-challenge
For more on the ROKT Foundation charity see www.roktfoundation.co.uk
ROKT | Old Flour Mill, Millroyd Street, Brighouse, HD6 1EY
Children’s climbing sessions include a 2 hour fully instructed session and are suitable for ages 5+. Kids have the chance to try rope climbing, bouldering, caving and games.
Sessions are available from 10.30am until 12.30pm and 2pm-4pm from Monday to Friday throughout the holidays. Visit our website to book your session.
If adults want to join in the fun there are family and group taster sessions available too, for more information please visit our website.
Climb ROKTFACE, (Millroyd St., Brighouse HD6 1EY) the UK’s highest man-made climbing wall, for just £10 (that’s half price!) on Saturday 11 August then join the FREE summer garden party at Millers Bar where there will be live acoustic music through the day, Prosecco, Pimms, picnics and much more, perfect for all the family to enjoy!
Whether it’s climbing or spectating from the Millers newly refurbished canal-side beer garden, families and friends to enjoy the ROKT experience!
A terrifying tower has been created as the UK’s highest man-made outdoor climbing wall prepares to open.
Higher than both the Tower of London and the Angel of the North, the towering ROKTFACE wall at ROKT climbing centre in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, will now see people climb routes up to 36m.
The climbing wall – roughly equivalent to a 12 storey building or seven double decker buses stacked on top of each other – has been grafted on to the face of a sky-scraping disused flour silo just months after climbing was finally confirmed as a sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Read the full press release here or to find out more about ROKT and details on pricing visit www.rokt.co.uk
On Saturday 29 October 2016
Try out all the activities all with a Halloween theme this year.
Doors open at 10AM for a freaky day of Rope Climbing, Bouldering, Caving and Abseiling!
Fancy dress and pumpkin competitions!
£8 entry!
Its a joint funday with the Millers Bar where Suzie and the Groove will be performing live from 8:30 onwards!
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 