Hudson's Brother is lost - Please Help!

We have heard from the lovely people who have homed Pebblie. It sounds like he was getting on really well and the children were loving him as he was them. It was really good to hear this news. He is such a nervous boy but it sounds like he was doing really well. There has been one small problem, Pebblie has actually gone missing. We think he has probably gone a little too far and cant work out how to get back to his home.

So if any one around the Lynn Cresent/Burnside areas (or near by) in Kirkwall can keep there eyes open for him. If you see him just let us know and we will pass the information on to his new owners (or if you don't want to tell us but know some important information on his whereabouts please get in touch with local cats protection who can then pass it on).

Thank you and fingers crossed he will return to his new home very soon.

Still Here and still Fighting

So its Rosies Birthday and she hasn't got the present that she wanted. Hudson back (as OICP promised on two occasions). I know that Cats Protection assume that this story will just fade away. I'm afraid it wont. We will continue as long as we need to. Yes I know there is the possibility that Hudson has been rehomed. We hope and pray he has not. We also hope that any potential home will realise he is our much loved cat and he should be returned home.

One of the things that has shocked me most about this is that National Cats Protection have refused to even talk to us and the complaints manager will not deal with our complaint. We have always been polite and factual with our attempted contacts, but they still refuse to talk. Its like 'we're a big charity and your the little guy so you don't matter' mentality. Well i'm afraid that we do matter we small people are the ones that support and fund you.

Over the years we have given Cats Protection donations of both time and money. We have never wanted thanks or anything special for this. All we have ever wanted is to be treated like Human Beings. Promises to be kept and to actually speak to people. There are lots of other charities both local and National that people can support. Ones that will listen to complaints and realise that without us little people they are in trouble.

We can't help thinking that some of this is personal. We know of many other cases that similar things like our case has happened and that cats have been returned. We know of cases where OICP has swapped cats (not that we would ever want to do that)

As we have said before we are happy with rehomong our other cats but Hudson was a mistake. We have admitted that. OICP said on two seperate occasions that we could have him back then went back on this. National Cats Protection have been trying to pretend that there is nothing wrong. Well obviously there is.

All we want is our Cat Hudson back to the home he has lived in healthily for years. Thats not too much to ask especially after this has been promised to you.

No Communication (As Expected)

A few days ago we emailed the National Cats Protection, we told them about our refusal for re-adopting Hudson and our response to it. Especially that they used several things against us that were not true (e.g being in a Orkney housing house and exceeding there pet numbers, of which we are not as our house is not owned by them!).

We were hoping they would have the politeness to reply but still we have received no response, sad to say its not surprising as throughout all of our fight to get Hudson back home they have barely been in touch with us at all. Which I personally think is rather appalling, they should at least have the politeness to reply and get in touch with us in some way.

Hudson, our cat is still not back at home where he belongs. Its been several weeks now and the poor boy has been stuck in a foster pen when he could of come home to us and been a lot happier. We have no idea how he is doing and its hard, we hope and pray to god that he has not been re-homed as he already has a home and its here. We will continue to fight to get him home where he belongs.

Its my wife's birthday soon and do you the only thing she wants for her birthday? for Hudson to be back. I am not sure if I can make this happen but I will do my best, if you can help in any way to make this wish come true I'd be really grateful...we both would.

We wont and can't give up on the fight to get our cat Hudson back, we got a yes from the local branch and for them to go back on there word is wrong and they shouldn't get away with it. All we wanted is for our cat back, of which we asked less than 10 hours after he left. Then the National Cats Protection did a press release saying we could apply to re-adopt him, even though we didn't feel this was fair we would do anything to get Hudson back so we did what they asked. We went through the home visit only to be refused on some very unfair points and since then we've heard nothing, we deserve some communication with National Cats Protection at least don't we?

This Blog has never been about Slagging Cats Protection off. All it has been aout is telling our story. Telling people about a promise that was broken (To Return Hudson). As I have said on a few occasions if we had not Trusted Cats Protection we would never have gone to them in the first place. I know of other places on-line that people are gleefully ganging up to make personal attacks on us while avoiding our central argument (We were promised our cat back). We have not got involved in these and we will not. We could quite easily get personal and publish many a incriminating fact but we are not those sort of people. Our argument is with the organisation Cats Protection (both local and National) not with individuals. Not with some of the fundraisers or fosterers that do such good work.

I have always thought that when people start resorting to personal attacks it proves that there argument is failing. I hope that the people out there who read this even if you do not like us as people will be able to look at the facts behing our argument and see where a charity has failed to take into account the people behind the cats.

We were in a situation that I would not wish on anyone and had to make hard decisions. In this we made a mistake (as humans do). If this situation has happened to us similar things could happen to others. No matter what happens we will continue our campaign to bring Hudson home. We will also continue to campaign to stop this situation happening to others.

Slideshows of Hudson

We've been going through photos of Hudson since he came into our life and we thought you might like to see them.

We've made 2 slideshows, both with the same photos but with different styles. We hope you can find the time to watch and see our lovely boy how we saw him.

Hudson, we miss you so much and we wish you were home by our side.

So we needed some help...

So we needed some help. So we went to OICP and they helped, for this we were grateful. If we hadn't of trusted them we wouldn't have gone to them. Then there is a but, but they made a promise and then went back on this. They seemed to chuck any hummanity and common sense out of the window.

What charities in general need to think about is who they are serving. If they are getting bad press. Why? Something must be going wrong even if its just a basic like communication. They need to remember where there funding and support comes from. As if they do not do a very good job or treat people without respect this could possibly effect there funding. This whole sitution could have been sorted out very quickly if Cats Protection both Nationally and locally had had the courtesy to talk to us. The national branch as I have said on numerous occasions has never been in direct contact with us and the complaints manager said he couldn't deal with our complaint! (So why are they paying him)

As I have said before we have had some great support from the local community. We have also had some people disagree with us (which is of course there right) We have also had the odd one who has spread viscous rumours and lies. These people when asked to speak out in public about there accusations have scuttled away. This shows what little substance there accusations have. People normally resort to insults when the facts of the argument are non existant.

Any personal insults make you question the community you are in even when you know it is only the odd person. We have put the whole story from our side on this blog. We have not resorted to insults we have just told our story.

We could have quite easily published a range of information putting things and people in a bad light, but we haven't and we wont as we are not that sort of people. We will continue to campaign trying to put the facts of the case forward. The basic facts that we were promised our cat back and that they went back on this.

No matter what happens from this point we will continue to campaign to get our cat Hudson back. We hope and pray that someone comes to there senses and puts right this injustice. If they continue to refuse we will continue our campaign and keep highlighting what we see that has gone wrong in this whole sorry process.

Got the paper today

I managed to pop out and get a copy of The Orcadian today, Thank you again to Lorraine Shearer and The Orcadian for publishing the article.

Apologies for the copy of the article in the previous post, I see from the newspaper that it needed to be edited a little for space so the article is not the exact copy of the newspapers. I am planning to scan in the article and I will post it on the blog as soon as possible.

We have already updated the newspaper on the home check result and they will be putting the news of this in next weeks newspaper, thanks again.

Today I have been going through the digital photos we have taken since we first had Hudson, I have come across some lovely photos of him and in the next few days I'll get them up on the blog so you can see them.

We are still missing him very much and finding it very hard without him, we want him home so very much and all we can hope is that it will happen one day....

Hudson, we miss you and we'll continue to fight for you. Hang on in there my boy.

More Press

I never managed to post an update yesterday as Rosie's condition worsened. so I did not have much time. This was probably due to the stress that this has all caused.

We have had an article that should have appeared in the Orcadian. The text which is below. I have not managed to go out and get a copy yet so I have not seen the pictures.

A Stromness couple have started an online campaign in a bid to have
their pet cat returned to them. Duncan and Rosie Coombes have accused
the local branch of Cats Protection of being “callous and unfeeling”,
after the charity refused to hand back one of their cats which had
been put forward for rehoming. The couple said that as soon as Hudson
was collected from their home at Hamnavoe they realised that they’d
made a mistake and asked for his return. But so far, the cat has
remained with a foster family and the couple have hit out, saying
their lives are being ruined by the stress. Hudson was one of four
cats that Mr and Mrs Coombes asked Orkney Cats Protection to re-home.
Mrs Coombes suffers from the condition ME, also known as chronic
fatigue syndrome, and is currently unable to get about due to the
illness. When it became clear that she might be confined to bed for
some time — as a precaution Mr Coombes asked that four of their seven
cats be re-homed. However, he said that shortly after the cats were
collected he realised that they would miss one of them — Hudson — a
particular favourite of his wifes, and they asked for his return. Mr
Coombes, 40, a radiographer, claims that after being told initially
they could have Hudson back — the charity is now reluctant to return
him. The Cats Protection headquarters in Sussex have issued a
statement: “Duncan and Rosie Coombes recently contacted Cats
Protection’s Orkney branch to give up their cat, Hudson. “Following
their request, the cat was signed over into Cats Protection’s care,
with the aim that the charity should find him a new home. “Hudson is
still in Cats Protection’s care, and should Duncan and Rosie wish to
re-adopt him then they are encouraged to contact the branch.” However,
the couple then received a phone call from the Orkney branch offering
a home check, which was carried out at the weekend. They are still
awaiting the result. Mr Coombes said the situation is nothing short of
ridiculous. “It’s not like we are trying to adopt another cat. All we
want is our cat Hudson back. He has lived with us since four-weeks-old
and he is presently around two-and-a-half years old. “He has always
been very happy with us and loves the fact he can get love and
attention 24 hours a day. He is a very much loved cat, accepted by our
remaining cats and even our dog.” He added: “We’ll do anything to get
Hudson back, as much as we feel that we shouldn’t have to go through a
home check, due to the situation, we will do it in the hope of the
return of our beloved cat.” The couple said it was a wrench to decide
to give up some of their cats, but felt that it was in the animals’
best interests, with his wife’s deteriorating health. “I know we
signed him over into their care but we made a mistake, everyone makes
mistakes and we are paying dearly for this. We just want him back and
we can provide him a good and loving home. “We were told twice before
by members of the Cat Protection in Orkney that we could have Hudson
back, then it changed. I see it as a mixture of stupidity, lack of
compassion and bloody mindedness. “We have been told that if we
continue this, we could affect the welfare of future cats in Orkney.
If the welfare of any future cats is compromised it will be due to
Cats Protection's refusal to do the right thing and stick to their
promises. “We have a fine home for Hudson — it has been fine for him
for two years, so why not any longer?” The couple have set up on
online blog, calling for support in their “Free Hudson Campaign”,
which can be viewed at freehudson.blogspot.com.

We have also emailed National Cats Protection with our comments on the obviously biased and inaccurate home check. We are not expecting a response as one of the continuing aspects of this campaign is National Cats Protection refusal to talk to us.

Sometimes it gets lost in the story that the basic premise was not that we want a new cat. We wish our own cat back (as promised by Orkney Islands Cats Protection). The same cat who has been well cared for for over two years.

I do think that Cats Protection think that this story will just fade away now they have refused. I am afraid it will not. There is still a quite a lot of interest in both national and local press.

If you google our name. The first four links are to do with our campaign. If you google Free Hudson the Cat numerous more links appear. I have noticed that other popular blogs and News/Animal sites are starting to link to the story. This means that it is still growing and spreading so more people will hear of the injustice that has been done.

We have also had some Snail mail from the Mainland which is encouraging showing that our story is reaching out there. The campaign continues until Cats Protection do what they promised and return OUR Cat

Still Need your Help

So as you can see by the results (which weren't unexpected) that we still need to keep the pressure up. We have had great support from the public and the press. You have all been fantastic. If you could still keep contacting cats protection asking them to return Hudson. helpline@cats.org.uk

I am also very interested in other failures in National Cats Protection policy. I already know that they refuse to home to members of the armed forces. An article is HERE If we know of other failures in policy it may help in our fight to get Hudson back home and also change policy within Cats protection for the better. We do not wish things like this to happen to anyone else. So we hope that by getting Hudson back it will help Cats Protection realise there are people behind the animals and that maybe policies should be changed/looked into.

Summary

Home check results on previous post.

We would just like to summarise the points of this story to make things clear/for new visitors.

1. We rehomed 4 cats with Orkney Islands Cats Protection as a precaution, not because we could not care or provide for them.

2. Less than 10 hours after Hudson had been collected we realised we'd made a massive mistake in letting him go. We contacted a co-ordinator ( Monday 16th) who said we could have him back, the next day we also received an email saying he could be returned just not that day.

3. Tuesday afternoon (17th) we then received an email telling us Hudson would not be returned.

4. We tried to discuss this matter with them (Cats Protection, local and national) till the following lunch time (Wednesday 18th 2pm). They were refussing to talk to us on this matter even when given several chances.

5. We were left with no option to contact the press in the hope of help to get Hudson returned home.

6. No one would talk directly with us, through a member of the press we received a statement saying we could apply for re-adoption.

7. We contacted the local branch as asked to apply for re-adoption of our cat Hudson. No response. Finally late Friday evening we got a call saying they would do a homecheck on Saturday.

8. Home check complete, we were told we would get the response on Monday. Monday came and went and we heard nothing. We did not receieve the result until this morning (Wednesday 25th) by email.

9. We were refused for reasons stated in prevous post, we are now fighting against those reasons as they are spurous at best.

10. In the email contact that refused us re-adoption of Hudson they clearly stated this would be the final communication on this matter.

11. Our only option left for communication and to fight there reasons given is via the press as we have been told we are not allowed to discuss it with Cats Protection any longer. The press is our only option left, we'd talk to them if we were given the chance but they are refusing.

12. We do not wish to adopt a cat, we want our cat back. The one that has lived here happily for over 2 years.

The Home Check Result

This morning we finally got a email from Orkney Islands Cats Protection, we check our emails regularly at present and as soon as we woke up we checked our emails. We found an email from them with our home check result, we were expecting a no with reasons but nothing like what we received.

Well the answer was, as we thought it would be a NO. They gave reasons for there decision and also told us we were not allowed to get in touch with them to discuss it any further. So to continue to fight the only avenue we have is the press and hopefully they will continue to help with our fight to get Hudson home where he belongs.

Myself and my wife are very upset by the decision, when I read the email to my wife she started to shake. Safe to say the email has shaken us both up, we are very annoyed with the reasons they gave and we will not give up our fight. If anything the reasons they gave has given us re-newed energy to continue this fight. Not only to get Hudson back (main reason, of course) but to also stop this from happening to others and for them to have to go through anything like what we have.

We'd just like to say thanks to all of the support we have received, we are so grateful and we hope you will continue to support us and do anything you can to get Hudson back home.

Now onto the reasons they gave, we would never normally publish an email but so that we can address the points given for our refusal we are quoting there points only. We will then respond to each one. Our response will be in green for easy reading.

1 It is not our policy to home cat(s) where the numbers of pets exceeds the guidelines and restrictions of Landlords and Housing Agents and/or Property Management Agents managing or administering such property.

Please see point 2.3 of the following document:
http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ORKNEYHOUSING/Documents/Pets%20Policy%20pdf.doc.pdf


Our house is not owned by Orkney Housing, it is a privately let property of which we have lived in for nearly 3 years. The landlord of the property has allowed us to have one dog and as many cats as we wish. During the home check they never asked us about this property, so they assumed the answer which is of course wrong.


2 It is not our policy to home cats to multiple pet households in a built up residential area. Even if you suggested swapping Hudson for another of your cats we could not agree to this as the total would still exceed the recommended number.

We have always owned multiple pets and we have lived in this area for nearly 3 years. We would not describe Hamnavoe as being a built up residential area not compared to Kirkwall for example. Hamnavoe area is quiet and the traffic is minimal, we also have a massive playing field next to us. As for exceeding the recommended number, well if they are refering to there first point we are not over our allowed number of cats. If they are talking about a policy held with OICP/National Cats Protection we know of many people who have adopted a cat/cats and they have more pets than we do at present (4 cats, 1 dog). We even know of someone in the branch that has over 12 cats and adopted 2 kittens from OICP after they came into her care for temporary fostering. Another point we would like to mention is, when one of the previous co-ordinators was in charge of OICP we had 4 cats. She allowed us to home Hudson, he was a feral found in our garden and we adopted him and he is now a very socialable cat. She also allowed us to adopt Lucy (who sadly died over a year ago) with no problems or hesitations, at that time we had 5 cats.


3 You have been extensively advertising to get some of your cats rehomed for several months and it is not clear that anything has changed in relation to this issue.


Yes we did advertise to get some of our cats re-homed, we tried to do it ourself as this is the way we prefered. However no suitable homes came forward and so we decided to take up the kind offer from OICP (which we now regret and realise the charity has not changed at all in the last year or so). They should of also noticed we only advertised 3 (originally it was 4 but after a few days it was then changed back to 3) cats in the end, we gave up 4 into OICP's care. So one extra than we had been advertising for. The reason we wanted to find them new homes is not because we could not look after them but as a precaution. We were trying to do the right thing, and still to this day we believe we did the right thing for 3 out of 4 cats. We obviously regret using OICP after all that has happened the last week but our decision to home 3 of them was the right thing to do. Its such a hard decision to make and under such huge stress and upset, we made a mistake with Hudson and we just want him back. We got a YES less than 10 hours after he left and then they went back on there word. Yes we both have health issues but we can still provide a very good home to our remaining pets and to Hudson also. He has always been happy with us, he has been with us since he was a baby. Hudson will get 24 hours a day attention and love, this is just what he needs as he is a very social cat. He hates to be on his own and likes to be with someone, with us he would have this from both of us and how is that not in his best interests?


4 Importantly, Hudson and Sonic are doing very well together in foster care it would not be beneficial to either cat to separate them.

No wonder they are doing well together, they have been in a foster pen for over a week together and so they are of course going to form a bond...its not surprising concidering what they have been through. We can only imagine how hard it must of been for them to be taken from there home that they knew and loved. We never advised they put them in the same pen together, in fact they never told us they would and implied they would be seperate. Those two cats together are not the best match, Sonic is a hyperactive kitten, he loves to cause chaos and run around like crazy. He loves the outdoors and will often be gone all day. Hudson is a relaxed cat who never leaves the house (he hates the outdoors, even tempting him to try it he just runs away and shows no interest), he likes to get lots of attention and needs company. If they were to be homed together Sonic would be out all day and leave Hudson alone. When they lived together with us they were never close, Sonic never showed any interest in him or wanted to relax with him. Now in foster care they might be showing this as they are scared and in somewhere totally different but given a home all that is mentioned would be shown. To be honest I wouldn't be suprised if Sonic has been driving Hudson made with all his energy in a small pen and not being able to have access to outside like he is used too. Sonic is also a very adaptable cat, he'll be fine without Hudson and given a little time will adapt well. OICP have made there bond closer through all this by putting them together and the fact they have now been in foster care for over a week.

I'd also just like to state that when we began fighting for Hudson to come home they tried to use point 4 against us and we gave them all the reasons we have above. They have both lived with us for quite a while and we know them best so surely they should be listening to our advise?!

I hope I have explained everything clearly, both myself and Rosie are very upset by the decision and we just want our cat Hudson back. We never wanted to adopt a cat and we never plan to in the future, we just want our cat back. We agreed to the home check as a method of getting him back, we did not feel in our case and curcumstances we should have to re-adopt him but it was the only way they were giving us and we'll do everything to get Hudson home.

Orkney Islands Cats Protection have been against him coming home to us so of course they were not going to give us a good result with the home check. They said how they had to pass on the details to the national branch in relation to our home visit and the national branch would make a decision. Well if you read the reasons given the points are very much coming from the local branch and not nationally. The home visit was not fair, it was done by someone at the local branch who never wanted to give Hudson back to us so we never had a chance. She also said at the time she would pass her recommendations onto the national branch, so its her thoughts and opinions. Seeming as we are in dispute with them a home check run by them doesn't seem very impartial does it?

We are devastated and wont give up the fight to get Hudson home, he belongs here with us and its not only in our interest but in Hudson's also. He will get everything he needs by coming back to live with us, attention and love any time of the day or night. He'll never be left a lone and will always have company, he would continue to have a good quality diet and all the vet treatment he needs. We have always kept his vaccinations, microchip, worming and flea treatments up to date and will continue to do so. We have always done everything for Hudson's best interests and health.

We do feel this is happening because its us, if it had been someone else things would of turned out differently. All we want is for our cat to be returned and for all of this to end. We have a good home for Hudson, that is what they are looking for and seeming as we have such a history with him we are the best thing for him.

Apologies for this being so long but we wanted to fully explain everything. We will not give up our fight and we really hope that you can support us in our plea to get Hudson home. If you can do anything at all please get in touch, if you haven't already done so. I would also just like to say again that we would go to Cats Protection about these matters if they hadn't stated in the email that it was the final communication on this matter. The reason we are going public with this, not only in our blog but the press is because how else are we meant to communicate?

Please, if you can help us get Hudson home we would be so grateful. If your thinking of homing him please think again, refuse the cat if your asked as you know how much we want him back and can provide a good life for him. We're his original owners and surely if he is able to come back to us its the best thing for him. Or if your going to home him, please return him back to us. Our email details are on our profile page, all we want is our cat back and if you can do anything to help we would be forever grateful.

Thankyou.

Thoughts

I know people read this blog in either a Positive or Negative way. We all have our opinions. One of our major complaints throughout this has been the lack of communication. If you read through all this you will notice that that is a continuing problem.

Bias so are we biased? Well everyone is biased to a degree depending on there situation. All we have ever wanted is to be treated with some respect and promises given to us honoured. I know some people out there may think we wish bad things to Orkney Islands Cat protection. We don't.

If common sense had prevailed at the beginning and they had honoured there promise it never would have gone this far. If we had never trusted Cats protection in the first place there is no way we would have homed any cats with them so how could anyone assume we are out to cause trouble.The reason we started this blog was frustration. Frustration that no one would talk to us. We do not wish to dirty them. We just want Hudson back as promised

We involved the press as a last resort. Cats protection could have stopped it at any time but they chose the route. All we can do is hope it will come to an end tomorrow/today

Waiting

So its 5pm on Tuesday. We have still heard nothing about the home check. This I personally Ithink is disgusting as they must have made a decision by now. The fact that they are willing to treat people like this asks serious questions about the Charities Public Relations. We know its up to the Scottish part to decide but we have never had any contact directly from National Cats Protection. So we do not know who to contact regarding this.

This whole situation has dragged on and on. All due to Cats Protection. Are they hoping that if they drag it out the press coverage will subside. I am afraid they will be wrong on that point as we have had continued interest and there are things due to be published in the next few days.

I also find this all very strange as in there press release Cats Protection state that there priority is the cats welfare. Well Hudson has been in a Foster pen for 8 days now. With the best will in the world the fosterer will not be able to give him the amount of attention he requires. So by prolonging this Cats Protection are not doing the best for the cat.

As we have stated before all we wish is to get Hudson our cat back (as they promised on Monday night 16th Feb). Who has lived with us since he was 4 weeks old (he's now 2 1/2). He is a healthy cat and has been well looked after fully vaccinated and microchipped. So why make it so difficult. We will see what tomorrow brings.

Story on BBC website

The story on the BBC website is HERE

We'd like to thank BBC for putting our story up., thank you also to Radio Orkney who made this happen. We are very grateful, thank you!

2.30pm BBC Website Corrected. Thankyou

Interest

We've still heard nothing. It looks like our STV interview will be going out tonight as we have just had a phonecall. We are also having a bit of interest from the BBC News website.

Reflecting on the week

Its quite difficult to explain the effect a situation like this can have on you. The stress is quite unimaginable. One of the most frustrating things is all the waiting. Even when you know people are fighting for you. Days go by slowly, you forget meals and food. Other important things just fade into the background. Obviously you sometimes question what you are doing, I have thought about the situation frequently but I know if the same thing happened again I would act in the same way.

Other problems are when people won't talk to you and you are totally fobbed off. You have to learn to be persistent and suspicious of everything. We have had our hopes dashed a few times and this roller-coaster is just heartbreaking.

My wife spends most of her time crying, the more the days pass the worse it seems to get. She barely sleeps and is tormented by all that has been happening. As the days pass, the more distant she becomes. All of this has had a very bad effect on her health and wellbeing, its on her mind 24 hours a day and there is nothing I can do to make her feel any better. All I can do is keep fighting for Hudson's return, for Hudson to be back where he belongs and see him lay beside my wife again.

Since this all began on Monday I have lost 10lbs, sure I need to loose some weight but not this way...it just shows what a severe effect stress can have on your body. Even my wife who is currently bedbound has lost weight, I have seen her get weaker and its terrible.

All we want is for Hudson to come back home, for all of this hell to end and for life to start to get back to how it was.

I would not wish the last week on anyone. The stupid thing about it all is there was no point to it at all. We are Human beings and sometimes we can make mistakes. One mistake we haven't made is to campaign for Hudson back. I am disappointed in Cats Protection both locally and Nationally. Nationally it is impossible to get anyone to talk to you, if the complaints manager can't handle complaints whats the point? I think that no one can know what we have experienced but ourselves.

Charities that work with animals as much as they are there for animals need to remember that behind the animals there are people who may have made some of the hardest decisions of there lives and in doing so may have made a mistake. I think that everyone involved with charities needs to think about why they are there doing what they are doing. Are they there for there clients or themselves?

If someone is fighting as hard as myself and Rosie are for Hudson, there is a good reason. People do not start campaigning for something over a whim. We thought long and hard before going to the press. We could have quite easily gone a lot sooner but held out hoping that someone either nationally or locally would communicate with us. We hope that this weekend means that this will finally end. We do have a bad feeling that it wont though. If they refuse again we will continue to fight.

We are so appreciative of the support we have had from local people and businesses. The press also have been fantastic also. The majority of people we talk to are as confused as we are to why this is all going on. There are of course people who do not agree with us and we respect there opinions. I would like these people to think about two things. If we did not trust or respect what CP were doing we would never have homed any cats with them. Also no one would go through what we have in the past week unless they really felt that an injustice had been done.

Myself and Rosie are very private people we do not want are lives talked about or discussed all over the country. We feel what was an easily sortable situation has got out of control due to a lack of Communication, Compassion and common sense. Lent is almost upon us a time of reflection we pray that by this time this will all be over and Hudson will be home with us.