Gosport Cats Protection returns to taking in needy cats and rehoming through contactless approach

Alongside all other Cats Protection branches, the charity’s Gosport Town branch had to stop rehoming and close its pens to new admissions when lockdown came into force, in order to comply with legal restrictions.

Only able to take in emergency cases through the charity’s central triage system, the branch looked after the cats it already had in care and assisted with emergencies throughout lockdown until hands-free homing was introduced, meaning they can now rehome cats and bring in unwanted felines.

Once a prospective owner chooses a cat from the branch’s website, a meet-up via phone or video call is arranged by Chris Scott-Reid, cat welfare officer, who then confirms suitability with a simple welfare questionnaire and series of checks.

Once the adoption fee has been paid, arrangements are made for the cat to be delivered or for its new owner to collect it, followed by an aftercare package including follow-up calls in the first weeks to ensure that the cat and new owner are both happy.

Tabby-and-white Ronnie has benefitted twice from hands-free homing, after being reserved just before lockdown came into force.

Unfortunately, his new owner had strong, previously unknown, allergies which meant Ronnie returned temporarily to branch care but was united just 12 days later with Chris and Karen Thorn from Gosport, who have been enjoying his company for three weeks.

SEE ALSO: Gosport Cats Protection calls for support from animal lovers to raise £500 for cat care

Karen said: ‘Although we were sad to hear that Ronnie’s previous match hadn’t worked out, it was brilliant for us, as we had been really keen to get a cat because our last cat, Tinker, had passed on and we were looking for another cat to adopt.

‘The hands-free homing process was surprisingly simple, and even though we were the first to be using the system with the branch it all went very smoothly.

Having homed all the cats and kittens they had in branch care through the contactless approach, the feline-focused volunteers are now ready to start taking in cats that need new homes.

Anyone needing advice or wanting to rehome their cat should contact Chris on (023) 9258 2601 between 8am and 8pm.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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