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Motherland star becomes surprise patron of small cat rescue centre

Antonia MatthewsBBC Wales
News imageMoggies Cat Rescue Diane Morgan, pictured holding a large, fluffy white cat which looks directly at the camera. Diane has long red hair and wears a brown corduroy jacket; she is smiling at the camera, standing in front of a window with trees in the background.Moggies Cat Rescue
Diane Morgan, pictured with rescue cat Zowzi, has become the patron of Moggies Cat Rescue in Aberdare

Actress and comedian Diane Morgan has become the patron of a cat rescue centre in south Wales.

Moggies Cat Rescue, in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was founded 12 years ago by Eileen Sewell and Doreen Miller, becoming a registered charity last year.

The charity takes in cats when owners have to go into hospital or cats whose owners can no longer afford vet bills, as well as rehabilitating stray and injured cats. It has rehomed more than 125 cats over the past 12 months.

Morgan, who stars in BBC's Motherland and Philomena Cunk, has Welsh roots and has admitted having a soft spot for cats. She said she was "really touched" by what the charity was trying to achieve.

News imageMoggies Cat Rescue Diane Morgan who has long red hair smiles as she pats a grey cat. A ginger cat sits in the backgroundMoggies Cat Rescue
Morgan poses with two of the cats at Moggies Cat Rescue in Aberdare

Earlier this month, Morgan popped in to meet founder Ms Miller, alongside various foster cats and kittens, and chatted to some of the charity's staff.

The actress said she first heard about the charity through a friend who supports the rescue centre and has rehomed one of its cats.

"I'm a big animal rights supporter, and when I saw what Doreen and Eileen are trying to achieve it really touched me," said Morgan.

"They're working so hard to provide injured or unwanted cats with shelter and medical help.

"They rely solely on donations, and their kindness is truly heartwarming," she added.

At the centre, Morgan met Zowzi, a cat who was taken in by Moggies Cat Rescue because she needed a lot of medical treatment, and her owners - who were not insured - were unable to afford the treatment.

The comedian recalled a childhood cat called Merlin, whom she described as her "whole world".

Since her visit, Zowzi has been rehomed and gone to her "forever family", said staff member, Nikki.

News imageMoggies Cat Rescue Doreen Miller and Diane Morgan standing side by side. Morgan has her arm around Doreen Miller who is holding a catMoggies Cat Rescue
Diane Morgan visited Moggies Rescue Centre earlier this month and met one of its founders, Doreen Miller

Moggies Cat Rescue liaises with local social services when people unexpectedly have to go into hospital, leaving their cats with no one to look after them.

But it also deals with local strays, cats injured on the road, or cats whose owners have mental health problems and can no longer take care of their pets.

They also help people fleeing domestic abuse, who are concerned about what will happen to their pets if they leave home.

A vet working with the charity helps restore ailing cats back to health - and ensures they are fully vaccinated and neutered - before they are rehomed.

Any prospective owners are interviewed, with their homes checked by the charity, before being approved for rehoming.

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