Liverpool is the first area to benefit from Cats Protection’s Emergency Respite Cat Care initiative, which allows affected cat owners to temporarily hand over their cat to be looked after by dedicated staff at Warrington Adoption Centre.

During the coronavirus crisis the charity has been looking at new ways it can offer help and support to cat owners.

The scheme will see cats cared for by the team at Warrington Adoption Centre until the owner returns home and feels well enough to take care of their cat again.

A family member or friend will need to arrange to bring the cat in to the centre, where it can be handed over in a safe and socially-distanced manner.

If the Liverpool pilot proves a success, the Emergency Respite Cat Care Scheme will begin to rollout to other areas in need, taking the weight off owners’ mind as to what may happen to their pet if they fall ill.

Cats Protection’s Branch Operations Manager Caroline Burden said: “The Covid-19 crisis has affected so many people and we wanted to be able to offer some peace of mind to cat owners that find themselves in hospital that their beloved pet will be looked after.

“Owners will be able to keep ownership of their cat as opposed to having to give them up because they have no alternative; and they can be reassured their pet is being well looked after.

“If the pilot proves a success we will be looking to extend the Emergency Respite Cat Care scheme to other areas in need to help alleviate the worry facing cat owners affected by the Covid-19 crisis.”

Anyone living in a Liverpool City Council postcode wishing to access the Emergency Respite Cat Care service should call 01978 809 168.

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For further information or an interview, please call Cats Protection’s Media Office on 01825 741 911 or email media.office@cats.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. Cats Protection is a national network of around 230 volunteer-run branches and 37 centres that help around 200,000 cats and kittens each year
2. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland).  The charity’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
3. Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity.
4. More information about the work of the charity can be found at www.cats.org.uk