Hundreds extra cats might be rescued and rehomed after the launch of a ‘fabulous’ new cattery at Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre.
The new lodging has been unveiled this month on the animal care facility in Ince Blundell.
Deb Hughes, a spokesperson for Freshfields, stated: “It’s a improbable place and it’ll imply we will rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome cats extra shortly as they transfer by means of the lodging.
“We can look after their health better, help them with their well-being and socialisation, and we can monitor them more closely.”
Last yr Freshfields rehomed 293 cats, already above its common of 250-290.
At the start of 2023 it launched a fundraising enchantment to exchange the present lodging which had been in place for 25 years.
Deb stated: “It was in-built the way in which many had been on the time and was a timber and mesh construction with individual models and models the place pairs or cat households may very well be saved, and it did its job for a lot of years, however it wasn’t perfect.
“It wasn’t absolutely sealed, it was tough to wash and, whereas we did one of the best we might, it wasn’t as much as the usual of lodging that we wished to offer.
“We started a fundraising plan early last year because we wanted to make the cattery a place that was fully sealed, that was warm and safe, but could be ventilated and temperature-controlled.”
Donations got here from Pets at Home Foundation and the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, in addition to assist from its ‘dedicated and generous’ animal-loving area people.
Work started in Summer, and it was accomplished and prepared to be used by the top of the yr.
The primary unit now has 28 pens in addition to a medicine room, an indoor ‘intake’ room and a separate isolation unit, the latter created by changing a former storage space to develop an eight-pen space the place cats can get better from surgical procedure, keep in the event that they want vaccinations, or if they’ve an an infection.
“They can be separated from the main cattery population,” stated Deb. “It’s improbable, it’s clear and hygienic. The new cattery is constituted of UPVC and Perspex with air flow so we will management the individual temperature of every pen and the workers have kitted it out fantastically with resting areas and climbing areas, rugs and blankets, and toys and treats, and it seems nice.
“There’s a brand new meet and greet space the place potential homeowners can meet a cat, with a settee and a rug, and a few toys. It’s a relaxed, stress-free area, the place the cats and potential homeowners can sit and get to know one another and see if they’re an acceptable match.
“The staff work really hard to make sure they match the animals at Freshfields with the most suitable owners and environments.”
She added: “It’s now fully functional and so as we start 2024 we can be more effective and help and rehome hundreds more cats thanks to these improvements.”
Freshfields is bracing itself for extra surrendered animals as austerity continues to hit and homeowners are pressured to surrender pets they’ll not afford.
“It’s heartbreaking when we don’t have room. We want to make sure we have an effective rescue and rehoming system and this new facility and this new accommodation will help us, so we can be there for everyone and every animal who needs us.”
Deb added: “Even the most caring cattery like ours is no substitute for a loving home, and that’s what we want for all our animals. This new facility will help us achieve that.”
Freshfields additionally wants some new volunteers to assist it in its work on the new cattery! Deb stated anybody desirous to become involved in altering the lives of its ‘fabulous felines’ can contact them at [email protected]
