An unexpected holiday souvenir - The Worcester Observer

An unexpected holiday souvenir

Worcester Editorial 23rd Sep, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

A CARING Northwick family brought home more than just their luggage when they adopted a feline friend they found on holiday in France.

Simon Fall-Taylor and his wife Rebecca travelled to the south of France for their summer break with their three sons George, 14, Archie, 11 and William, seven.

While there they discovered Woody, a 15-week-old kitten who was weak and starving and in need of a loving home.

During their two week vacation, Woody bonded with the children and in the last couple of days the family found out they were the last people using the holiday home for the season.




“It was clear that if we left him there he would have starved, if we took it to the vets or a shelter he would have been put down, I know some people may be critical but when the cat is sitting on the children’s laps and you look in the cats eyes you can’t just leave them there,” Simon told the Observer.

Simon posted their dilemma on Facebook and several of their friends suggested they set up a Just Giving page, they put the campaign online to bring Woody back with them the 822 miles to England and within 24 hours they raised more than £200.


“I’m a firm believer that cats choose you and this cat clearly decided it wanted to be with us,” he said.

“I was amazed by the support we received by people who gave anonymously who just saw the story.

“This cat was part of our family from day one, it was not just hanging around the garden it, when we woke up in the morning he was waiting by the front door for us. in the evening he would come and sit on our laps.”

On their last day the Fall-Taylor’s managed to get Woody a pet passport and all his tests and inoculations ready to make his journey to the UK.

“I can’t quite believe we did it and managed to organise everything in 24 hours but we could not leave him their to die he is such a loving cat.”

They have received £382 from donations towards the £1,000 it has cost to bring woody to his new home which he reached on September 7.

“The children were thrilled to have Woody home to join our other two cats and two gerbils. He’s settling in really well, but in future I shall call ahead and make sure there are no more strays around before we go on holiday.”

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