Tank

Tank is another very special resident who came to us from the colony of 15 abandoned cats that another rescue desperately needed help finding suitable outdoor homes for.

When we offered to take three of these cats, we had absolutely no preference as to which ones we received. We simply wanted to give them the safety, love and second chance they deserved.

And one of those three was our biggest boy, Tank, a name that couldn't suit him more perfectly!

When Tank first arrived alongside Elsie, he was absolutely terrified. He would spend most of his time hiding at the back of their pen, wanting very little interaction with anyone, including poor Elsie, who would occasionally receive a little swipe if she got too close!

He didn't understand that we weren't there to hurt him. He didn't know that this strange new place was going to become his forever home.

So we gave him something every frightened rescue cat deserves: time, patience and the freedom to trust us at his own pace.

Over the following weeks, Tank slowly began to decompress. He started venturing towards the front of his pen, particularly when he realised we were bringing his favourite thing in the entire world... FOOD!

He would rub his little teeth along the bars of the pen and gradually began allowing the occasional gentle stroke. Although he still preferred the safety of his corner, those tiny moments of trust meant absolutely everything to us.

From a Frightened Boy to the King of the Barn 👑

Fast-forward around two years, and the transformation in Tank is something truly special.

Today, Tank absolutely adores his outdoor farm life. He has his own cosy spaces, a lovely warm bed and his beloved cat tree in the barn.

He also loves coming indoors for a cuddle, although only on his terms! Once he's had enough, he'll soon let you know he'd quite like the door opened so he can return to his kingdom.

And believe us, Tank genuinely believes he runs Burland Cat Barn!

Every morning, when our farm cats gather eagerly for breakfast, Tank makes sure he's at the front of the queue. He'll run ahead of everyone, making the most hilarious noises we've ever heard from a cat, almost as though he's telling the others to get out of his way!

He has a personality bigger than his already enormous size, and his cheeky little gangster attitude never fails to make us smile.

But underneath that tough exterior is the most incredibly loving, affectionate boy.

The same cat who once sat terrified in the corner of a pen now allows me to scoop him up and cradle him in my arms like a baby.

And that, to me, is what rescue is really about.

Watching an animal who once feared human interaction learn to trust, feel safe and eventually give you their whole heart is something no amount of money could ever buy.

❤️ Why Sponsor Tank?

Tank has gone from being one of 15 abandoned cats, uncertain of his future, to a much-loved permanent resident with a lifetime of security ahead of him.

By sponsoring Tank, you'll be helping towards his food (and trust us, he loves his food!), veterinary care, preventative treatments and everything he needs to continue enjoying his wonderful life here.

As a self-funded rescue, every sponsorship makes a genuine difference to the cats who depend on us.

Tank holds an incredibly special place in all our hearts, and we genuinely couldn't imagine Burland Cat Barn without his larger-than-life personality.