Record year for Newbury Cats Protection as 500 felines rehomed

The figure marks a 36-per-cent increase on 2013, which centre manager Karen Clarke said reflected the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers at Cats Protection’s Newbury adoption centre, in Curridge.
It follows the establishment of Cats Protection’s first homing and information centre, which opened at Newbury Pets at Home, London Road, in April.
Ms Clarke said: “Because the store has such a large footfall, we have been able to reach a much wider audience than we could ever hope to at our adoption centre.
“Even though Cats Protection has been at Curridge for almost 50 years, the centre at Pets at Home has highlighted how many people in the community are unaware that we are here.
“Although primarily an information centre, the rise in our profile has exceeded expectations and had a positive impact on homing.
“We are thrilled to bits with our homing figures for 2014. We have also helped many other cats, either through help and advice, returning stray cats to their owners and through our neutering schemes.
“In 2014 we issued almost 450 vouchers towards the cost of neutering.
“We are hoping to help as many cats this coming year. In 2015 we will celebrate our 50th anniversary and it would be fantastic to end the year with another record homing figure.
“Owners adopting from Cats Protection have the peace of mind that their cat will have been examined by a veterinary surgeon, microchipped, vaccinated, neutered and will also come with four weeks’ free insurance.”
Thanks were sent to the adoption centre’s eight members of staff, the volunteers who donate their time on a weekly basis and to all those who have helped raise the running costs to keep the adoption centre going.