The Alternative Lifestyle Cattery is the first of its kind for the RSPCA and they say it's vital to reducing the number of cats and kittens on the streets. Brandon Knapp reports.
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00:00Some cats enjoy the company of humans. When I come to volunteer at this RSPCA
00:04animal shelter, Jess always appreciates a friendly hello. Every cat in care has
00:09come from a different walk of life, meaning for some, being in a shelter can
00:13be a stressful experience. But taking a stride in the right direction is the
00:18Canterbury and District Animal Rehoming Centre, who have opened an Alternative
00:22Lifestyle Building, the first of its kind across more than 150 branches in the UK.
00:28But what is an alternative cat?
00:30An alternative lifestyle cat is sometimes called a farm cat or a barn cat,
00:35sometimes labelled as a feral cat, a cat that is unsocialised, maybe not so keen
00:42on spending time with humans. The normal kind of cattery is very stressful for
00:47that type of cat. It's a very busy environment, there's lots of people,
00:50there's also lots of other cats.
00:52To celebrate this vital step forward for the RSPCA's animal welfare mission, a
00:56community gathered to enjoy the delightful sights and smells of homemade
01:00cakes, nibbles and of course, a cup of tea. With a cut of the ribbon by the
01:04Mayor of Canterbury, the new cattery is open and can begin to help reduce the
01:08number of stray cats on the street.
01:10Five, four, three, two, one.
01:19As you can see, people are taking a look at the new Alternative Lifestyle
01:22Cattery, which is the first of its kind for RSPCA.
01:24These pods offer a more spacious environment for the cats during their
01:28temporary stay at the centre.
01:30It has the luxury of an outdoor catio on the back of it. So it gives them that
01:35extra space, freedom, that natural enrichment that you would get of sights,
01:39sounds, all of those types of things that they would normally have if they were
01:43in a barn or a farm.
01:45The facility here kind of mirrors more of a natural environment for them, which
01:50makes them more calm, more relaxed, and it's more in tune with what they are
01:55used to. And it's a very unique opportunity to be able to offer that
02:01facility.
02:02The new cattery was built in memory of a dear friend of the centre, an all
02:06involved wish for its success, and hope it inspires other branches to follow in
02:10the footsteps of Canterbury's.
02:11I believe with the amount of effort and support that's been put in from the
02:16team and the research and the build, it will be successful. I think it could be
02:21something that could be replicated in other RSPCA locations, subject to them
02:26having the facilities to support the build.
02:30Before I left, I had to give one of my favourite felines another visit.
02:34Brandon Knapp for KMTV.