Hitchin MP Peter Lilley Visits Local Blue Cross

MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, Peter Lilley, visited the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Kimpton last week, to learn more about the work the charity does for sick and homeless pets.

Animal-lover Peter and his wife Gail visited the centre near Hitchin to meet some of the unwanted and abandoned dogs, cats and rabbits who are looking for new homes and talk to staff about the challenges faced by the charity during the recession.

They were given a behind-the-scenes tour by Blue Cross chairman Zair Berry and deputy centre manager Emma Pannell and were introduced to some of the centre's newest residents, including a litter of tiny kittens and a four-week-old puppy called Tilly who has since found a new home.

Peter said: "I am proud that we have this centre doing such a fantastic job re-homing animals in the heart of our constituency.  I was particularly impressed by the way the staff knew the character and needs of each animal so that they could find a home suitable for them.  Gail and I were smitten by the Jack Russell, Tilly, but as we have no garden, we had to admit we would not be suitable owners!"

Emma Pannell, deputy manager of the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Kimpton added: "We're caring for 66 dogs, cats and rabbits at the moment who are all desperate for happy homes, so it was lovely of Peter and Gail to pop in and meet some of them.  It was a great opportunity to show them the work we do here at the centre and talk about how events like our Blue Cross Tea Party raise money to help even more animals in need."

The Blue Cross Tea Party is an annual fundraising event which encourages people all over the country to hold a tea party on or around the 11th May to raise money for the sick, injured and homeless pets in the charity's care.

Local animal lovers are invited to join the Kimpton centre in their own 'Best of British' themed Tea Party from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 12th May.

For more information, contact the centre on 0300 777 1490, email hertfordshire@bluecross.org.uk or drop in at Kimpton Bottom, Kimpton, Herts, SG3 8EU.  You can also keep up with all the latest news at the centre on their website or on their Facebook page.