A new £1.16m cat homing centre has opened its doors in Glasgow.
Cats Protection, who run the site, said it will work in tandem with the charity’s adoption centre in Auchinloch.
The new facility has 20 specially designed pens, which could help to rehome as many as 5,000 cats every year.
“This facility is invaluable in terms of capacity, which has been the main issue for everyone over the past year in terms of the cost of living crisis and new licencing laws.
“It’s invaluable to have this facility here so we can rehome cats without having them in here too long,” said the organisation’s operations manager David Paterson-McKearney.
“We try and provide a facility that is as close to the home environment as possible and give them all the love they deserve but the main aim is to get more cats into a safe loving home as quickly as possible.”
Cats are helped to settle in to their new surroundings with soothing music being piped into the corridors.
For those not quite ready to meet the public yet, a quiet zone has been set up away from view to minimise any potential stress.
The site also features larger facilities like care rooms, laundry rooms and storage rooms – and there is more space for staff to work.
Rehoming and welfare officer Andrew McPhee said: “It’s going to make a massive difference in terms of homing our cats.
“Having this new location means we have all areas of Glasgow covered which means we can get the cats homed quicker.
“It’s so fresh, so airy, there is loads of room for the cats and the staff. It’s very quiet, we can cut down ambient noise which is reducing the stress level of the cats too.”
Like many animal rehoming organisations, Cats Protection say they’ve seen demand rise during the cost of living as people make impossible choices about if they can afford to keep their pet.
“We are seeing the number of those relinquished getting higher because of the cost of living rising,” David said.
This facility was designed before that really happened, so in some ways it’s a good thing that we were able to be ready.”
Volunteers, staff and guests were on hand to see the official opening, which included tours and the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon by ambassador and cat love, Antiques Roadtrip’s Roo Irvine.
“It is unbelievably exciting, every time a new facility opens its more cats that are being helped,” said Roo.
“It’s in my backyard. I’m a Glasgow girl, to be here opening the centre is a real honour.
“The staff and volunteers do a wonderful job. After today, more cats will be helped and that’s the best feeling in the world.”
Anyone interested in adoption should contact Cats Protection directly.
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