Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk, 34, and his wife Rike Nooitgedagt, 33, have added another chapter to their legacy of quiet philanthropy, officially opening “Paws Haven”—a state-of-the-art £5 million cat sanctuary in Merseyside dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray felines. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 12, 2025, at the 10-acre facility in Knowsley, was a far cry from Anfield’s roar, but the warmth it generated was no less powerful. “Every life deserves love and safety,” van Dijk said in a heartfelt statement, cradling a rescued tabby kitten as cameras flashed. “Football gives me trophies, but this gives me purpose.” With the couple’s three children—Nila, 7, Axl, 5, and Jurre, 3—joining them to release the first cats into outdoor enclosures, the event reminded the world that van Dijk’s greatness extends far beyond goals and glory—he’s a champion on the pitch, and in his heart.
The van Dijks’ journey into animal welfare began in 2020 amid the COVID lockdowns, when Rike, a former corporate lawyer turned full-time mom, began fostering strays during family walks in Liverpool. What started as a kitchen corner for two kittens grew into a passion project, fueled by Virgil’s own love for cats (he credits his childhood pet in Breda for teaching him “unconditional loyalty”). By 2023, they had fostered over 50 animals, partnering with local shelters like Cats Protection. Paws Haven, funded by Virgil’s endorsements and Rike’s savvy investments, is their magnum opus: solar-powered barns, heated enclosures for 200 cats, a vet clinic, and adoption lounges designed like cozy living rooms. “We wanted a place where cats feel home, not caged,” Rike explained, noting the sanctuary’s no-kill policy and focus on traumatized strays.
The opening drew Liverpool’s elite: Jürgen Klopp (now Germany’s manager) brought his dog, Jürgen Jr., for a photo op, joking, “Virgil scores headers; I score adoptions!” Mayor Joanne Anderson praised the couple: “In a city of fighters, you’ve built a haven for the vulnerable.” Over 500 attendees, including Anfield stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones, toured the grounds, with proceeds from a charity auction (featuring signed Reds jerseys) raising £100,000 for the facility.
Fans adored the human touch: van Dijk bottle-feeding kittens while Rike read stories to shelter volunteers, their kids giggling as cats batted at Virgil’s dreadlocks. Social media lit up with #PawsHaven (300k posts): “Virgil’s a beast on the field and a softie off it—legend” (@LFCFamily, 50k likes). The couple’s post-event gesture? Adopting a one-eyed rescue named “Anfield,” who now curls up during family movie nights. “He’s our reminder: every scar tells a story of survival,” Rike shared.
Van Dijk’s off-pitch impact is no accident. Since joining Liverpool in 2018 for a £75 million record, he’s championed causes from knife crime prevention to mental health with the LFC Foundation. Paws Haven aligns with his 2024 pledge to “give back to the community that gave me everything.” Rike, who stepped away from law to support his career, has channeled her skills into advocacy, founding the van Dijk Family Fund in 2022 for animal welfare and children’s education.
As Liverpool eyes a Premier League title push, van Dijk’s compassion shines brighter than any trophy. “Goals fade; kindness endures,” he said, echoing his post-match mantra. Paws Haven isn’t just a sanctuary—it’s a testament to a captain who leads with heart. Britain’s smiling warmly; the cats are purring. What a purr-fect legacy.
