Ribbon cutting ceremony marks the grand opening of the ‘Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre’
Earlier this year, colleagues from Premier Coatings Ltd. (PCL) were proud to attend the grand opening of The Big Cat Sanctuary’s newest purpose-built habitat: the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre.
The Big Cat Sanctuary’s ‘Cats in Crisis’ appeal was launched at the beginning of 2026 with the aim of raising £100,000 to help fund the rescue of Ursa, a Eurasian lynx, from war-torn Ukraine and build a brand-new home for her and other small cats at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent. Ursa, who was malnourished and underdeveloped when she was found, had been kept illegally as a pet before she was removed to a rescue centre in Kyiv. Whilst now being cared for by professionals, she urgently required a more permanent rescue and given the chance to thrive in a new home that offered a peaceful and enriching environment for her.
PCL and the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust share a long history of supporting their neighbours at The Big Cat Sanctuary. After hearing of Ursa’s plight, PCL and the Trust were thrilled to once again lend their support with a donation of £50,000—half of the campaign’s target. Once combined with donations from other sponsors and the public, the ‘Cats in Crisis’ campaign far surpassed its original fundraising goal, reaching a total of £135,000 in under one month. In recognition of their generous donation, The Big Cat Sanctuary officially named the new habitat in honour of Premier Coatings Ltd.
The Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre was formally opened on Thursday 23rd July, with Steve Crawley, PCL Managing Director, and Mrs Jane Ashton DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and the former High Sheriff of Kent, cutting the ribbon. The centre provides Ursa, now rescued from Ukraine, and three other small cats at the Sanctuary (Rhys, another Eurasian lynx; Blob, a bobcat; and Boson, a fishing cat) with their own uniquely designed habitats, allowing each cat to thrive in a place they can permanently call home. PCL colleagues, friends and family were thrilled to view the new facility first-hand and witness this momentous occasion for the Sanctuary.
On opening the new centre, Steve Crawley said, “Our feline friends have provided companionship, entertainment, and a unique talking point. It therefore seems only right that they should have a safe, comfortable, and purpose-built space of their own.”
Sarah Hashmi – a trustee of the F.B. Coales No.4 (Family) Trust – commented, “I was impressed and delighted to see Premier’s name in such a prominent place, not just on a small commemorative plaque. The new enclosures are stunning and I look forward to a future visit to see how they have all settled into their new homes. Another lovely, well organised event on a beautiful summer’s day.”
On behalf of everyone at PCL and the F.B. Coales Trust, we’d like to offer our sincerest congratulations to the whole team at The Big Cat Sanctuary and wish the small cats the very best for the future in their new home.
For further information on this campaign and other fundraising efforts, please visit The Big Cat Sanctuary’s website, here: https://thebigcatsanctuary.org/
The grand opening of the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre. The opening of the Rusty Spotted Cat Conservation Centre also took place on the same day.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent.
New signage erected at the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre.
Speaking at the opening was Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary (L), and PCL Managing Director, Steve Crawley (R).
The cutting of the ribbon marked the official opening of the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre.
The new habitat provides information on its new residents, such as Ursa the Eurasian lynx.
(L-R) Chiara Sorrentino, Louise Morilla and Alejandra Fernandez attend the opening of the new centre.
(L-R) Steve Crawley, Bruni Dunsterville, Brian Dunsterville (Director, PCL) and Nicki Crawley at the grand opening.
The Big Cat Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of wild cats globally (L) and a Eurasian lynx in its new habitat (R).
A Eurasian lynx in its new habitat.
A Eurasian lynx in its new habitat.
Friends, family and colleagues of Premier Coatings Limited attend the grand opening.
Friends, family and colleagues of Premier Coatings Limited attend the grand opening.
The grand opening of the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre. The opening of the Rusty Spotted Cat Conservation Centre also took place on the same day.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent.
New signage erected at the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre.
Speaking at the opening was Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary (L), and PCL Managing Director, Steve Crawley (R).
The cutting of the ribbon marked the official opening of the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre.
The new habitat provides information on its new residents, such as Ursa the Eurasian lynx.
(L-R) Chiara Sorrentino, Louise Morilla and Alejandra Fernandez attend the opening of the new centre.
(L-R) Steve Crawley, Bruni Dunsterville, Brian Dunsterville (Director, PCL) and Nicki Crawley at the grand opening.
The Big Cat Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation and rescue of wild cats globally (L) and a Eurasian lynx in its new habitat (R).
A Eurasian lynx in its new habitat.
A Eurasian lynx in its new habitat.
Friends, family and colleagues of Premier Coatings Limited attend the grand opening.
