We have recently installed 8 double pens and a play area to help us cope with the ever growing demand for rescue spaces for cats in crisis. The welfare of our cats is very important, and we are keen to enrich their environment to ensure their stay with us is as stress free as possible.

Cats in care can suffer from stress-related behavioural problems, such as excessive grooming and aggression, as they adjust to an unfamiliar environment.

Research carried out at Cats Protection underlines the importance of providing cats in care with somewhere to hide. Dr Rachel Casey, a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, found that cats provided with a hiding place were much less stressed than those in equivalent housing without one.

The Feline Fort helps reduce stress levels in cats, allowing them to choose how much they want to interact with people. It enables cats to express natural behaviours like hiding, and increases their territory allowing them to view their surroundings from higher up, helping them feel safer.

The Fort is made from premium UV stabilised polyethylene; an extremely durable material. It will not crack or discolour, will stand up to most chemicals, is very easy to clean and will last for many years unlike ordinary cat towers which are difficult to clean, wear easily and ultimately have to be thrown away if in contact with certain diseases like ringworm.

At Rain Rescue we provide a place of safety for pets in crisis. Last year Rain Rescue helped a total of 491 pets. This included rehoming 96 cats, transferring 59 cats to our “pawesome partner” rescues such as Blue Cross and neutering 187 feral cats as part of our ongoing Trap, Neuter and Release project. The majority of cats we helped last year were strays, primarily pregnant queens and young kittens. Often left behind when owners move or unwanted litters abandoned on the streets. Without Rain Rescue many of these cats would face uncertain futures, living in cold and hunger