Selby, North Yorkshire
A rescue built on foster homes & kindness
Alfie's Cat Rescue is a small, foster-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming stray and feral cats. We cover the YO8 area around Selby, and because we don't run a commercial shelter, every cat in our care lives in a dedicated network of private volunteer foster homes.
We're a small team – and that's the honest truth
Our admin is run by a handful of volunteers, often a single person alongside a full-time job. That means replies to applications and enquiries can take a few days. We promise we read every message – thank you for your patience while we get back to you. Building tools that lighten this load is exactly why this site exists.
What we stand for
Four values guide every decision we make – from the cats we take in to the homes we choose.
We put cats first
Every decision we make is with cats’ welfare in mind. We demonstrate compassion and respect for cats and judge our effectiveness by the extent to which their lives are improved.
We support each other
Community is at the core of what we do. We act in an inclusive and supportive way, and empower each other with the tools and support to get the work done.
We are trusted by the community
We do what we say we will do, when we say we’ll do it. We manage expectations and are accountable for our outcomes.
We seek out ways to improve
Learning is a priority and we proactively look for ways to develop ourselves and the rescue.
Our name
Why “Alfie's”?
The rescue is named after our founder's childhood cat, Alfie – a tabby who loved a good back scratch, sleeping in the sunshine and patrolling the neighbourhood as if he owned every garden on the street.
He was the reason she fell in love with cats, and the inspiration behind everything we do today. Naming the rescue after him felt right: it means his legacy lives on in every cat we help across Selby.
What we do
Three things sit at the centre of everything – rescue, rehabilitation and prevention.
Rescue & TNR
Safe trapping, scanning and veterinary assessment for stray and feral cat populations across the YO8 area.
Foster & Rehabilitation
Temporary, loving home spaces where nervous cats rebuild confidence and social skills before placement.
Population Control
Community-funded neutering and spaying so every cat and kitten is fixed before finding a forever home.
Behind the scenes
Every cat travels the same journey from rescue to forever home.
- 1
Intake
Cats arrive through owner surrender, stray intake or welfare cases.
- 2
Quarantine
A short period of isolation prevents the spread of illness to other cats.
- 3
Veterinary care
Treatment for illness, injury and dental issues, plus neutering and vaccination.
- 4
Behaviour assessment
We learn each cat’s sociability, fears and what kind of home will suit them.
- 5
Listing & promotion
Photos and honest profiles go up so the right family can find them.
- 6
Screening applicants
Applications are reviewed and matched against each cat’s individual needs.
- 7
Transfer & follow-up
Records are updated and our support continues well after the cat goes home.
The roles that make it happen
A rescue is only as strong as the people behind it.
Foster Carers
The heartbeat of the rescue. They provide temporary homes, monitor health and behaviour, give medication, help cats socialise and report back – so we can make the right matches.
Volunteers
They raise local funds, carry out home visits, drive cats to appointments, manage our social channels and answer enquiries. Without them, we simply couldn’t operate.
Veterinary Partners
Local practices examine and treat our cats, vaccinate, neuter, microchip and provide medical records – often at discounted charity rates.
Want to help?
Whether you can open your home, spare an hour a week, or make a one-off gift – there's a place for you at Alfie's.
Made with for cats across North Yorkshire
