'Miracle' kitten found in bin becomes 500th cat rehomed by RSCPA project

A kitten found in a rubbish bin is the 500th cat to find a new forever home through the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub.
Miracle the kitten, who has now been renamed LunaMiracle the kitten, who has now been renamed Luna
Miracle the kitten, who has now been renamed Luna

Originally named Miracle and now called Luna, it is assumed that she was deliberately placed into the bin, as the lid was down.

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RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Shane Lynn, who rescued Luna, added: “There was nothing else in it apart from her, so whoever closed the lid couldn’t have missed her being inside.”

Lucky kitten Luna is the 500th cat rehomed by the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub near Darlington. (rear) RSPCA Officer Shane Lynn (middle l-r) RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Co-ordinator Sophie Moran-Barker, Pauline Irwin, (front l-r) Grace Irwin, 7, Jessica Irwin, 10.Lucky kitten Luna is the 500th cat rehomed by the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub near Darlington. (rear) RSPCA Officer Shane Lynn (middle l-r) RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Co-ordinator Sophie Moran-Barker, Pauline Irwin, (front l-r) Grace Irwin, 7, Jessica Irwin, 10.
Lucky kitten Luna is the 500th cat rehomed by the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub near Darlington. (rear) RSPCA Officer Shane Lynn (middle l-r) RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Co-ordinator Sophie Moran-Barker, Pauline Irwin, (front l-r) Grace Irwin, 7, Jessica Irwin, 10.

Luna was taken to the Cat Rehoming Hub, based just outside Darlington.

Since opening in 2018, the Cat Hub has cared for and rehomed 500 cats across Sunderland, Teesside and North Yorkshire.

The first of its kind in the UK, it was set up by RSPCA branches in the north east to deal with the growing crisis of abandoned cats in the region.

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Much of its funding comes from donations, business sponsorships and regular fundraisers.

The most common way for a cat to be rescued is if they have been abandoned or neglected by their previous owners.

Luna was cared for by cat fosterers, who volunteer for the Cat Hub, before finding her new home with the Irwin family from Stanley.

Pauline Irwin spotted a picture of Luna and immediately knew she would be the perfect addition to her family.

They were the first family to visit Luna at the Cat Hub.

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RSPCA Cat Hub Rehoming Coordinator Sophie Moran-Barker said: “We are pleased that Luna is the cat who takes us to the milestone of 500 cats rehomed, as she had such a terrible start in life.”

When it opened, the Cat Hub had the aim of rehoming 120 cats a year.

According to Moran-Barker, rehoming 500 cats between April 2018 and December 2019 shows how well the cattery is performing.

“As soon as one cat leaves, another comes,” says Moran-Barker, “so we are always fundraising and grateful for any support.”

Further information about the work of the Cat Hub and cats available for rehoming can be found at www.facebook.com/rspcacatrehoming and www.cathub.co.uk

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