Our resident cats
'The ache for home lives in all of us' - Maya Angelou
Oldham cats is a strictly no kill shelter, so when we have exhausted every avenue and we cannot find a cat a home, the only option left is for them to become permanent residents of the rescue. Many of our permanent residents have gone on to be adopted, so we never give up on that hope! They may be cats with behavioral challenges, advancing age or difficult to manage health conditions. They are free to roam but live mostly on the grounds and in the office, as well as a new specially built indoor / outdoor catio. They may have experienced neglect and feel totally unwanted in their little hearts, but to us they are family, and it is our joy to take care of them all.
Head of security
Bella
Bella arrived at Oldham Cats in April 2022 aged 10 with her son Neil. Bella and Neil’s humans emigrated and were unable to take their furbabies with them. They both became residents but eventually, Neil was adopted.
Bella is very independent but will occasionally allow you to stroke her and may even sit on your knee – if she chooses to. She often finds a nice quiet area to curl up in where she won’t be bothered by anyone – human or feline. She can be seen stomping around the rescue and may give you a swipe if you happen to walk too close.
Lunch inspector
Cheeky Boy!
Cheeky was brought in with his sister in 2023 aged around 10. We managed to find a home for her but had no luck with Cheeky so we invited him to live with us forever! We have never regretted this decision, he is an incredibly loving boy that will jump on your lap for a cuddle leaving chunky pieces of ginger hair all over you! He is a renowned lunch thief and is disgusted with you if you bring an egg butty instead of ham. Cheeky has struggled with his health since living with us, needing dental attention and more recently treatment for hyperthyroidism. We are pleased to report that he is doing well and we just love taking care of him!
New recruit manager
Erica
Erica arrived at the rescue in 2024 after sadly her owner passed away, at the time she was 8 years old. One fun little fact is that Erica lived her first 8 years of life as Eric (Cantona), a mistake that happens more often than you might think! Erica was a tough nut to crack, Faye spent hours and hours trying to socialize her, but Erica always remained Erica. Even today, wandering around the place demanding dreamies, if you attempt to stroke her, you'll get a swipe! She definitely loves Faye a bit more than everyone else! Must have been all those blanket cuddles!
Rest assured, she loves it here, and we love her - just exactly as she is
Transport inspector
Jessie
Jessie arrived at the rescue in May 2016 aged approximately 1-2 years. He can be a very loving boy but isn’t beyond giving you a little nibble or a swipe if he’s not in the mood for you.
Jesse is the chief hunter of the resident group and likes to get his nose into everything to see what he can find. It’s not unusual for his white fur to be more of a shade of grey. He likes to inspect any vehicles that visitors may arrive in and very few leave without his signature paw prints on them.
Main Cattery "Front of House"
Lucy
Lucy became a resident cat in 2024, aged 2, after not one, but two failed adoptions.
This girl knows her own mind and she will not be contained, she goes where she wants, when she wants, and you all just have to do as you're told!
So long as you stick to these guidelines, she's the sweetest girl in the world! Anyone that has been in our main cattery has fallen under Lucy's spell and can never understand why she was never adopted!
If ever there was a cat that was born to be a resident, its Lucy!
Receptionist
Francesca
Francesca came to the rescue in 2025 aged 4, surrendered to us because she had become agitated around the children. It was discovered that she had a severe womb infection that would have been fatal had it not been caught in time.
Francesca did not enjoy cage life, and she told that to anybody that tried to touch her! After being unable to tame this wild soul the decision was made to let her live here as a resident She has become incredibly loving and playful, taking to life as a resident cat with gusto! She like eating catnip lollipops and getting involved in the paperwork!
Chief box & bag tester
Kat
Kat became a resident at the rescue in May 2019 aged 3-4 years old. Kat had been being fed as a stray for 8-9 months prior to arriving at the rescue.
Kat is defined as having an 'independent' temperament – basically you can only stroke her if she allows it. She can be very vocal if you should dare to even walk by her without asking her permission, but will also randomly choose to come and sit on your lap whilst giving you her best death stare! We all do our best to stay on her good side, and please don’t even think about being late with her food.
Milk monitor
Kiki (Keith)
Ah, Kiki. Kiki arrived at the rescue in early 2024 aged 4. We were a little confused by the name Kiki, as he is a boy. We did try to give him a more boyish name, but Kiki just stuck! This gorgeous soulful eyed boy savaged anyone that tried to visit him or even when we cleaned his cage, so we decided the best thing was for him to stay with us. He took a while to settle, and doesn't really like being part of a 'clan', but I think he knows now that here, he can be whoever he wants to be without judgement. We've recently discovered his love of milk! He knocks it out of your hand when you are making tea! So he has to have a little bit of cat milk everyday! We love him just as he is, and we have the scars to prove it!
Chief of Pee
Turbo
Turbo became a resident cat in 2025 aged approximately 3 years old. Turbo had been badly treated by cats and humans alike during his time on the streets, and his shyness meant that he did not get chosen for adoption by anyone. Since becoming a resident he has slowly built up his confidence to the extent that he was recently caught stealing a volunteer's ham sandwich! He does like to make his presence known by peeing on anything you may leave lying around at the rescue!
To see him getting strokes and interacting with everyone is just a dream come true.
Chief dreamies tester
Coco
Coco arrived at the rescue in April 2014 aged around 5 years. She was left in box by the gate and the only information given to us was her name. She is the ‘Old Lady’ of the resident group and lets the younger ones know that she’s the boss.
Whilst Coco is not excessively happy being stroked she does like giving head-bumps, and she will make it very clear when she’s had enough. She loves her treats and can often be found near the dreamies box. Do not believe her when she tells you she hasn.t had any!!!
Chief morale officer
Harry (half tail)
Harry came to the rescue in October 2015 aged 2-3 years. He had been taken into Crown House vets as a stray and needed to have an operation on his eye as he was suffering from a condition called entropion.
Harry says: “After being a resident for a while it was found that I had previously had a loving home – but went wandering and had been missing for a long time. I used to be called Thomas and whilst my previous owners had got a new cat in their home now, they still loved me and they sponsor me at the rescue, to help them to look after me.” Harry is a true one off, and a huge part of everyday life at the rescue.
Meet and greet
Brutus
Brutus arrived at the rescue in April 2017 aged approximately 3 years old. He had been a stray for several weeks around the Rochdale area and a lady had noticed that he was gaining wounds and becoming dirty.
Brutus did not enjoy his time in a cage, even escaping for a weekend. The decision was taken to allow him to embrace resident life. Since being given his freedom, he has become a mild mannered gentleman to humans but can still keep the other cats in line, when necessary.