RSPCA opens first-of-its-kind 'cat pods' in Canterbury

KentOnline / KMTV

The Alternative Lifestyle Cattery is the first of its kind for the RSPCA  and they say it's vital to reducing the number of cats and kittens on the streets. Brandon Knapp reports.

Transcript

00:00Some cats enjoy the company of humans. When I come to volunteer at this RSPCA

00:04animal shelter, Jess always appreciates a friendly hello. Every cat in care has

00:09come from a different walk of life, meaning for some, being in a shelter can

00:13be a stressful experience. But taking a stride in the right direction is the

00:18Canterbury and District Animal Rehoming Centre, who have opened an Alternative

00:22Lifestyle Building, the first of its kind across more than 150 branches in the UK.

00:28But what is an alternative cat?

00:30An alternative lifestyle cat is sometimes called a farm cat or a barn cat,

00:35sometimes labelled as a feral cat, a cat that is unsocialised, maybe not so keen

00:42on spending time with humans. The normal kind of cattery is very stressful for

00:47that type of cat. It's a very busy environment, there's lots of people,

00:50there's also lots of other cats.

00:52To celebrate this vital step forward for the RSPCA's animal welfare mission, a

00:56community gathered to enjoy the delightful sights and smells of homemade

01:00cakes, nibbles and of course, a cup of tea. With a cut of the ribbon by the

01:04Mayor of Canterbury, the new cattery is open and can begin to help reduce the

01:08number of stray cats on the street.

01:10Five, four, three, two, one.

01:19As you can see, people are taking a look at the new Alternative Lifestyle

01:22Cattery, which is the first of its kind for RSPCA.

01:24These pods offer a more spacious environment for the cats during their

01:28temporary stay at the centre.

01:30It has the luxury of an outdoor catio on the back of it. So it gives them that

01:35extra space, freedom, that natural enrichment that you would get of sights,

01:39sounds, all of those types of things that they would normally have if they were

01:43in a barn or a farm.

01:45The facility here kind of mirrors more of a natural environment for them, which

01:50makes them more calm, more relaxed, and it's more in tune with what they are

01:55used to. And it's a very unique opportunity to be able to offer that

02:01facility.

02:02The new cattery was built in memory of a dear friend of the centre, an all

02:06involved wish for its success, and hope it inspires other branches to follow in

02:10the footsteps of Canterbury's.

02:11I believe with the amount of effort and support that's been put in from the

02:16team and the research and the build, it will be successful. I think it could be

02:21something that could be replicated in other RSPCA locations, subject to them

02:26having the facilities to support the build.

02:30Before I left, I had to give one of my favourite felines another visit.

02:34Brandon Knapp for KMTV.

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