Unique hospital partnership launched to profit sufferers and cats in want

Cats Protection Northampton Branch has constructed a foster pen within the intensive grounds of Broomhill Hospital, a specialist psychological well being hospital.

The pen will play host to cats ready to be adopted, who might be cared for by sufferers skilled and supported in take care of their feline fosters.

The partnership advantages Cats Protection Northampton Branch because it offers further fostering capability, whereas providing tailor-made Occupational Therapy to Broomhill sufferers who’re given a accountable and motivational function as a part of a rehabilitation programme.

Kate Lines, Senior Occupational Therapist, who spearheaded this mission stated: “This fostering programme was first mooted when we rehomed a cat, Aurora, at Broomhill last summer. Aurora is cared for by a patient who found this experience had a positive impact on her mental health and helped build her confidence. We wanted to build on these positives.

“Cats Protection was open to partnership working, expanding on this initial work with patients as Assistant Fosterers. Work began to install a Cat Pen to provide a welcoming safe space for cats or kittens while they waited for their new homes. The role of supporting a cat in their recovery journey to moving on, mirrors the patient’s own recovery journey.

“This dovetails with our broader use of animal therapy within the setting. And importantly will enable patients who love and miss having animals to be able to interact with them again.”

The first residents of the Broomhill pen are actually settling in properly and getting used to their new environment. Two-year-old Rue and her son Buddy, one, are extraordinarily shut so might be adopted collectively as soon as they’re signed off as match to home.

Cats Protection Operations Manager Josh Ferron stated: “This is a unique partnership for Cats Protection, and while getting to this point has involved input from a lot of people, everyone has been so committed to the project. To see it get off the ground is already a rewarding experience for all involved.

“To be part of the rehabilitation journey for patients while also increasing capacity for the branch to bring in and help more cats really is an epic win-win and we look forward to nurturing and building this collaboration.”