Black cat Erica becomes 1,000th cat to be adopted in Fareham and Waterlooville districts

Erica the black cat with her new owners Grace Alexander, 10, and her brother Joe, eight

The landmark for Cats Protection is a huge achievement, having set up in the Fareham and Waterlooville areas five years ago.

Erica became the 1,000th cat to be given a new home. She has been adopted by a family with two children who adore her.

Named after the volunteer Eric who collected her, Erica was found as a stray with poor skin condition, thought to be due to a flea allergy.

Following treatment and lots of care, the two-year-old cat has been re-homed and she is settling in with new owners Chris Alexander and his children Grace, 10, and Joe, eight.

Chris, from Southsea, said: ‘Grace looked on the Cats Protection website at all the cats and she thought Erica looked cute.

‘We went in to see Erica and found that she was very friendly and we immediately wanted to take her home.

‘She has settled very quickly and has the run of the house. Her favourite place is the top room where the sun shines in.’

Nicky Davies, re-homing officer for Cats Protection’s Fareham and Waterlooville Districts Branch, said they were pleased to have been able to find a new home for Erica.

She said: ‘The sad reality is there are many unwanted cats and this is what keeps our branch so busy.

‘Cats come into us for all sorts of reasons, the main one being that their owner’s circumstances have changed, such as a change in landlord.

‘The saddest cases are those such as Erica who was wandering as a stray in poor condition. There must have been a time when she was a pet, but at some point she was left to fend for herself.

‘We’re thrilled she has now found such a lovely and happy new home.’

Nicky added that one of the biggest challenges facing the branch was a shortage of volunteers to help care for cats and raise money for the branch.

She added: ‘We desperately need more fosterers to look after cats while they are in our care.’

While Erica is settling in well to her new home, there are other cats at the charity in need of new owners. Dolce and Banny, both aged 12, have been in the branch’s care since January.

To find out more about adopting a cat, volunteering for the branch, or for more information about its work, please visit fareham.cats.org.uk or call 01489 574529.