Please help our London centres to continue to admit, care for and rehome cats and kittens this Winter.

When the UK went into lockdown in March, it became clear that Cats Protection would need to find new ways of working. Our centres were closed to the public but care continued and there was a need to rehome cats as speedily as possible to reduce their time in care. Our London centres and branches came together virtually with their teams of staff and volunteers to find the best ways to be here for the cats.

Nationally, a Hands-Free Homing scheme was created to match prospective owners with cats in need using interactive video technology and safely deliver them to their new homes without need for human contact. It was launched at the Mitcham Homing Centre in the Spring. As lockdown restrictions eased a Covid-safe collection service was also introduced following the online matching process.

By November, the number of cats homed since lockdown began clocked in at 10,859. The method has been such a success for cats and their new owners that it has become standard practice as the charity continues to care for cats during the pandemic and beyond.

However, these intensive new processes and the lifesaving care provided our staff and volunteers does not come cheap, and fundraising has been a significant casualty of the pandemic. Cats Protection’s work continues within government guidelines, thanks to the financial generosity of its supporters.

Please help us now, so we can care for more cats like six-week-old Hans who was the lone surviving kitten when he arrived at one of our London centres from a feral colony. The cute tabby was understandably nervous and a bit hissy at first, but he was a plucky survivor and responded well to hands-on foster care, before successfully being homed with a loving family.

Former street cat Maggie had three tiny kittens when she came in for specialist care at Cats Protection’s newest homing centre in Harrow. The kittens were transferred to the Richmond branch for homing but Maggie’s knew only an outdoor life and longed for the freedom that gave her. A local stable owner came forward to help and now Maggie can have the life she needs and deserves.

Any funds raised above and beyond our target will be used to help other cats and kittens in our care at North London, Mitcham and Harrow Homing Centres.