About Us

Chestnut Cat Sanctuary is one of the most successful cat rescue and adoption centres in the South of England. We find new homes for hundreds of cats each year.

We're located between Epping and Harlow, in Essex. Since March 2003, we've been the officially appointed cat rehoming and rescue centre for the RSPCA South West Essex Branch.

With the formal introduction out of the way, let's hand over to Sammy to tell you more about us!

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Sammy was a loving cat who liked nothing better than to roam the fields around Chestnut Cat Sanctuary, greeting people as they came to visit us. Sammy died in early 2005, and this page is dedicated to his memory. 

Hello, my name is Sammy!

I am a young cat who is lucky enough to live in a nice home with six brothers and sisters and three pesky dogs. I'd like to tell you about some friends who live here with me at the Chestnut Cat Sanctuary & Rescue Centre, which is run by my owners and the Manager, Jackie.

They are all cats and kittens not so lucky as me. Some were been born without a proper home, or their owners died or went into care. Some of them were unloved and left to fend for themselves. Sometimes their owners went abroad. Sometimes they were rescued by the RSPCA for their own safety.

Whatever their story, they are all taken in by my owners and put into lovely purpose built indoor cat pens with heating, toys, two meals a day and a nice area to play in. And then we find them new homes! You can see the cats we have for adoption on our single cats and paired cats pages.

Rescue & rehoming facilities	A cat awaits new owners	Purpose-built indoor cat pens

Chestnut Cat Sanctuary is set in the lovely Essex countryside, far back from roads among fields and trees. In fact, we're named after a very large, very old, protected chestnut tree that gives us shade in summer, and shelter from the weather in winter.

The people who work here include some permanent staff, Jackie the manager, and many volunteers who give up their spare time to look after the cats and kittens that need new homes. We even have special cat-cuddlers!

Most of the cats and kittens that come to us don’t stay here long - about 2 to 4 weeks is the average. My owners tell me that each new adoptee is given an information pack about how to care for their new cat, and its likes and dislikes. Mind you, I'm too young to read that at the moment….I just tear the paper into shreds, which is great fun!

While all of my friends are perfectly healthy when they go to their new home, some of them do come in a little worse for wear. Why, old Basil only had 3 legs ….he was a laugh, Basil was. And he soon found a home! Even if one or two of them are not as fighting fit as a youngster like me, it doesn’t mean they don’t need a loving home. They need you and will love you just as much!

I think I’ve said enough for now. So don't waste any time, have a look at the photos of the rescue cats we have for adoption, and see if there's a new friend for you waiting for you here! 

Or, if you're interested, you might want to look at some pictures of our facilities and see just how we rescue and rehome hundreds of cats and kittens every year.

Love, 

 Sammy

Pleasant surroundings when adopting a cat or kitten	Boarding area of Chestnut	Main Entrance

Open 10.30 to 2 pm  ... 7 days a week	All are welcome!