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A quick recap of the previous week for our readers on what's been happening at a very busy Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary!
With 67 entries to our Big CLAS Pet Show 2022, that means you've already helped us raise £134 for our animals!
With more categories available to enter, we'd love to see those numbers grow so please keep sharing your fantastic snaps of your wonderful companions.
At £2 per entry with no limit on how many times you enter, why not enter into a few different categories with a better chance of winning!
Don't have a pet? No problem we even have a kids 'design your pet class and an adults wildlife photo class!
Not a professional photographer? No problem! Photos don't have to be amazing, it's all about the pet and there is a class for them all.
Check ourt some of our classes below:
Ferocious Feline (cats in general)
Daring Dogs Do Action Female Rescue Dog
Male Rescue Dog
Judges Choice
No Pet No Problem (Wildlife/Nature)
Perfect Pairs
Rescue Cat
Rescue Equine
Senior Dog
Senior Equine
Sleeping Beauties
I Do My Own Stunts
The Young Ones
All About The Hair (any animal with a hairdo, amazing hair, or just looking fab after a groom)
Any Rescue (any animal other than a cat, dog or equine)
Equine Junior Handler (Kids under 16 - handling their pony/donkey/horse either ridden, in hand or general care. Collage allowed)
Mini Me - Doppelganger Pets (looks like you or looks like another of your pets)
My Dream Pets (under 16 design/art entry)
My Little Friends (kids class)
Senior Pets (any other than a dog or equine)
Rainbow Remembered (for those who have crossed the rainbow bridge, open to all species)
Check out our facebook for daily updates!
You can enter any of our classes by clicking the button below
*Instructions for submission along with our T&C's are also available on our website* Some of our current entries below for this years Big CLAS Online Pet Show!
Wait a meow-ment, that's Reina!
Reina was at the vets on Friday for her job interview to be the new vet assistant. She changed her mind when she realised the mouse wasn't exactly what she had in mind!
Just joking!
Last Friday, Reina and her kittens had a visit to the vets for their checkups, vaccinations and to check when all can be spayed. A total cost of £164.41. Can you help with these bills? These are not the only cats and kitens we have getting vet treatments - some basic like the above and some are a bit more specific depending on the treament required.
Either way, bills are still high.
If you can, please help by donating!
Home from home...
Sheba, Tipsy & Flopsy
Can you offer a home to 1, 2 or 3 of these beautiful girls a Mum and two of her kittens. Kittens around 12 weeks old - Tipsy (tortie) and Flopsy (black). Both full of beans and just ready for a big adventure! Mum is the big tortie. Email rehoming@crosskennanlane.org.uk for more information on these three.
Looking for homes! We still have 34 cats and kittens seeking homes at present. Aged 8 weeks to 12 years there is a cat or kitten for everyone.
This week we wanted to remind our readers of the wonderful feline friends we had:
Bambam & Ollie
Seeking a home together, these 10 week old brothers are on the hunt for their forever home.
Do you like watching tv and giving head scratches? Our beautiful black tiger striped Princess could be the girl for you. Our 9 week old sibling duo are looking for a new home together. Stevie is just as playful but a bit more timid than his sister and therefore would prefer an adult household. Franny (Francine)
Not one application has been submitted for the sweetest cat ever. Could you open your home to this wonderful lady who just wants to enjoy life. Our new mum (to Stevie & Princess), Franny is very affectionate but prefers to sit beside you rather than on your knee. She purrs like a motorbike and is estimated to be around 2-3 years old. She is a very confident lady and will have no problem adapting to new environments.
Matilda & Clemantine Matilda and Clementine are sisters in search of a home of their own, either as a single companion to another cat or as a pair. They are both very friendly and enjoy attention from people.
Clementine is the tortie and Matilda is the tabby. The girls were rescued with their mum and their brother after their other brother was sadly knocked down on the road. They had been straying and mum was pregnant again even though the kittens were still feeding off her.
They are weaned and have had all their jabs, checks and have no just been spayed too. So all they need is a home.
Can that home be with you?
Henry, Heidi, Haribo & Harper Just over 10 weeks old and having had their 1st vaccines and all clear from the vet, our four tabby siblings are all ready to find new homes.
Henry and Heidi are super friendly, confident wee kittens who love human attention and love playing with the children in their foster home. Although we'd prefer these 2 to go together we do think they would be ok separate as long as they have company.
Haribo and Harper are a little more nervous still, although happy to be worked with. At present they are still very nervous of children so they are looking for a home with adults or children over 12 years. This pair find great comfort in each other and so are only looking for a home where they can go as a pair.
Martha Our 12 year old grey tabby Martha is looking out for a home of her own where she can live out the rest of her days with some well deserved peace and pampering. Living as a stray for 10+ years, I think it's about time Martha experienced the sweet life.
Martha moved into foster and had all her checks and a little TLC. Sadly she tested positive for FIV. FIV is not a death sentence but it does limit her options moving on. She currently lives all her days in one room of her fosters house, and she is quite content although would like to explore a little more. FIV cats can enjoy a happy life and can make wonderful companions. To prevent the disease from spreading, the RSPCA recommends FIV cats must be the only cat in the household, so if you'd like to have a one-cat home, an FIV cat might suit you. Adopting an FIV-positive cat can be really rewarding. Although nobody can predict the future, many FIV cats can potentially live long, healthy and full lives, just like a non-infected cat. They also have all the usual needs of any cat, such as a nutritious diet, mental stimulation and plenty of love! Truffle, Tortellini & Tofu (The trio of trouble!) Update: These 3 have now had their vaccinations so are ready to rumble...ahem, we mean to go to their new homes. At 4 weeks old, these siblings were sadly orphaned when their mother was hit by a car. After a kind stranger brought them to CLAS, they have blossomed into crazy cuddle hungry kitties! They love nothing more than to curl up beside foster mum under a blanket. Tortellini is the most confident.
Truffle is the smallest and can be shy
Tofu is female and a wee bit of a scaredy cat. Quite cautious and watchful. She will sometimes hide from the other cats and sometimes spook at little things.
They are currently learning to use the litter tray, and to play nicely with each other. They have been exposed to adult cats and so would be fine in a home with other cats. They have not been introduced to dogs or children.
Can you offer them a home? Either as a single companion to another cat or even as the trio themselves? What's better than two troublemakers? Three of course! Rocky, Rumour and Ripley
This gorgeous trio is Rocky, Ripley and Rumour. Rocky the female is black with a little white on her tummy. Ripley is a beautiful brown-black and Rumour is the tabby with the most beautiful markings.
They have been in foster for a few weeks after being rescued alongside their mum, Reina (also advertised on the website). The kittens are developing their personalities at the moment, mostly interested in exploring and food. If they grow up like their mum they will be very special cats.
Reina herself has been described as very zen and from the moment of her rescue she has taken to being groomed, having attention and in general living the house cat pet life like she was born into it. Quite different to her origin - being dumped at a derelict house heavily pregnant.
The kittens may grow up like mum, or they may be the complete opposite - at the present time they still haven't developed any strong personality traits. They have also had either no or very little exposure to children and dogs.
It's our preference that they find homes either in pairs or into a home with another cat present; potentially being rehomed alongside mum who is little more than a kitten herself.
All three kittens and their mum deserve someone to love them - could that be you?
Reina This gorgeous girl is Reina, a very chilled young mum who is looking forward to finding a home of her own very soon. Reina is only a kitten herself but already she's been a mum to 3 wonderful little kittens, Rocky, Rumour and Ripley
She may be happy being rehomed with other cats, or even with one of her kittens. She won't demand much, but would be very happy to accept the attention when it's given.
Wilbert At 17 weeks, this wee man is looking for his forever home. Wilbert was born to Betsy, another cat in our care who is currently due to give birth any day. Wilbert has had a rough start to life, the latest being witnessing one of his siblings being killed on the road.
He is learning to trust people in their foster home and are coming along well and is now ready to find a home of his very own!
He does enjoy a bit of attention and would love someone who can give him lots and lots!
We have a rehoming fee of £70 for cats. All our cats are neutered and if not neutered at the time of rehoming, will be required to be neutered as soon as permitted by a vet. All adoptions will only take place following meeting the cat at the sanctuary and a home check.
Unfortunately due to the large number of applications we can receive per cat we do have to state that we may not be able to contact every unsuccessful home. Adoptive homes will only be considered in NORTHERN IRELAND. We are sorry we cannot accommodate further afield but this ensures we can carry out effective home checks and you have a chance to meet the cats before adoption.
The importance of Spaying/Neutering your cat
We would also like to encourage neutering and spaying of your pets. There are so many cats on the streets without people to hep. Why would you add to the ongoing problems.
There are more and more everyday needing help and we haven't the capacity to help anymore with our waiting list already overflowing. These cats/kittens need rescued, vet care, spayed/neutered and a kind, caring home. We have 60+ cats in our care currently and costs ramp up quickly. Spaying/neutering a cat costs roughly £35 each incl. discount (depending on vet as our fosterers are based in different areas and attend different vets).
With vaccinations, flea treatments, worming and microchipping as a standard, these costs can mount up.
If you can help with the costs, please help using the donation information at the bottom of our page.
Or text CLAS Paws to 70660 to pledge £3 a month. Food, litter, milk, wormers, etc are all welcome too!
Dog Rehoming Koba Our lovely 6 year old staffie, Koba has been on our list for over 2 months now. Unfortunately due to his owners health, he isn't getting the same attention he is used to and they've made the difficult decision to rehome him to a family who can give him the attention he deserves. Koba is lovely, friendly dog. Good with children and okay with other dogs although introductions will be required for any children or dogs in the home. He is a happy boy who enjoys attention but can be left out in the dog run for periods of time. Could you be the love and affection Koba desperately needs? Koji
Koji has been on our list for 2 months now. With only 1 suitable application that came to a dead end, we'd love to find a happy home for this sweet boy.
Koji is a 6 year old Bullmastif x Japanese Akita, unfortunately his current family are unable to provide the exercise and attention he deserves.
Given his breeding he is a large strong dog and ideally we would be looking for a home with a good sized secure garden. He is an active dog but also loves lying about on the sofa and getting lots of cuddles.
He's a lovely friendly dog, good with children - and has experience of children aged 4 and above in the home. He is good with dogs both in the home and out on walks, he doesn't have much experience off lead with other dogs. Meetings and careful introductions will be required for any children or dogs in the existing home.
He has been in his current home since he was 8 weeks old and this is a sad rehoming for them and one they've been working to prevent for the past two years. He is looking for a home that can give him all the love and attention he is used to.
Donkeys "EEE-AWWW!"
Emily & Elijah have been working incredibly hard this past while to improve their chances of finding a home of their own.
The mother and son duo have been practicing their leading, their lifting of feet and their manners. They would adore a family who would shower them with attention. Elijah would love a sensible (half mad) child of his own to torture (love). Emily enjoys quiet attention and often lets her son have all the attention. So, a parent child combo could be perfect for this parent and child combo! They are bigger donkeys with some specific requirements: - An extra large stable for the two to be housed together if possible but provision for separation (2 stables) if required.
- Limited grazing / grass free turnout / track system?
We are them at the sanctuary and we will miss them when they find a home but they deserve a family who can give them all their extra time.
We appreciate your support!
It's always overwhelming to us how caring our supporters are. We just want to say a huge thanks to all of you this past week who gave in one way or another.
If you check out our slider gallery, you will see the lovely Mia hidden behind a mountain of goodies from the incredibly kind, Evelyn. Not an animal was forgotten, even staff got some treats!
You'll also find some beautiful hand crocheted blankets donated by the wonderful Ryan. What a wonderful new accessory for the animals! A bit further in, we have a huge contribution from Top Spec Horse Feed & Blue Grass Horse Feed who filled our feed bins to the brim for our horses, ponies and donkeys!
And last but not least, a big shout out to Andrew, our regular volunteer who along with his mum surprised us with prints of the cabins cats, including the big man himself, Belfast Puss - who is sadly missed, but never forgotten. There will be no excuse for people not knowing their names now!
We're on the lookout - can you help?
Do you have any experience with the media or the press? We are looking for a volunteer to assist with press and publicity.
This may be as simple as contacting papers, magazines, editorials, etc. and trying to get some coverage - especially for some of our rehoming cases and emergency appeals. In many cases we have the information written up ready to go - we just can't get the time to get it out.
We are also on the lookout for some people to join us within our fundraising team. Can you help out?
Please email office@crosskennanlane.org.uk if you can help out.
Could you join us as a Maintenance Volunteer?
With over 150 animals on site annually on average, the sanctuary gets a lot of wear and tear.
This is why we need maintenance volunteers who are willing to come in and undertake DIY and associated tasks, such as sweeping the yard, strimming weeds, power washing, and cleaning the windows, doing runs to the dump etc.
Make a real difference to the lives of the animals in our care and enhance the experience for volunteers and visitors! For those who have skills and experience it is a great opportunity for us to open up some skill sharing!
This role will suit people who… enjoy variety, enjoy getting their hands dirty, like meeting people, have a friendly and helpful nature and like helping others and be part of a team.
Email volunteer@crosskenannlane.org.uk if you can help!
Donation of the Week Every Friday we have decided to post an appeal for something specific that will go towards helping our wonderful animals in care. This month we have a need for: Relax & Restore Chews (for dogs)
With our discount, we can get 1x jar (60 chews) for £30 (£34.95RRP) This would cover Missy, our collie, for 3 weeks.
For 6x jars (360 chews), it costs £128.92 and this would cover Missy approximately 4 months.
The most cost affective way to help our animals is with a donation towards this product by using any of our usual methods - Paypal / via Facebook / Instagram
We really appreciate your support - and there are so many other ways you can help us help animals.
We can accept Food donations, toys (no stuffed toys or tennis balls please), bedding (blankets, towels, and sheets are welcome!), and we can recycle old lego, mobile phones and used stamps!
Don't forget our upcoming Crosskennan Charity Dinner Dance this November to celebrate 25 years of saving lives. Celebrating the people who have helped and the animals they have saved!
Help us to help them!
Please, CLICK here to Make a Donation (PAYPAL)!
Make a one off donation on our website CLICK HERE!
Or you can send a donation via bank transfer to
Sort Code: 950202
Account Number: 31184288
Account Name: CROSSKENNAN ANIMAL
If you want to get stuff delivered to us you post it directly to: Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary, 26 Crosskennan Lane, Ballynoe, Antrim, BT41 2QY
Or send us an email to crosskennan@hotmail.co.uk to arrange a drop-off of donations!
Did you know you can send grocery deliveries to us too? Just let us know in advance, and you can do a ASDA, Tesco's, Sainsbury's Online delivery and get it dropped off at the sanctuary. We can make use of so much from your local supermarket, from fresh fruit and veg, to frozen peas and sweetcorn, fresh chicken, ham, liver, washing up powder/tablets, dish soap, bleach, disinfectant, toilet rolls, dog food, cat food, birdseed... The list could go on forever!