Harrow East MP Bob Blackman and wife Nicola Blackman – councillor for Edgware ward – paid a visit to Cats Protection’s Harrow Homing Centre to see first-hand how the charity helps cats both in the local area and across the UK.
The pair met staff and volunteers at the centre, in Tudor Road, and also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour where they met some of the cats and kittens currently looking for new homes.
Cats Protection speaks up for the 10.8 million UK cats and their owners and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
As the leading voice on cat welfare, Cats Protection is calling on the UK Government and politicians to introduce measures to help improve the lives of UK cats, legislating to create an offence of cat theft, prevent cat and kitten smuggling and by supporting tenants to rent with a pet by ending blanket ban ‘no pet’ policies.
Mr Blackman MP said: “It was great to meet the staff and volunteers at the Harrow Homing Centre. The cats are clearly so well cared for and such an effort is made to understand each cat’s unique needs. It was also great to hear about the work Cats Protection does in the community helping cat owners as well as feral and stray cats.
“I was also interested to hear about the Lifeline service, which provides invaluable help to those fleeing abuse. It is devastating that victim-survivors often see having a pet as a barrier to getting to safety. This service will provide a temporary loving home with specialist care for the cat, until they can be reunited safely with their owner.”
Cats Protection’s Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer Annabel Berdy said: “We were so pleased to welcome Mr and Mrs Blackman to the centre to discuss the work we do to help cats, such as encouraging more landlords to allow tenants to have a pet cat. We also discussed the amazing Lifeline service which helps those fleeing domestic abuse by offering a temporary home to their cats until they can be safely reunited. It’s great to see politicians taking a keen interest in cat welfare, which is such an important issue for many people.”
