The Isle of Wight Zoo has joined together with Cats Protection Ryde for a new feline imitative.
The Sandown-based zoo, which specialises in the welfare and conservation of big cats, is now offering its support to the homeless cats being cared for at Cats Protection in Ryde.
Zoo director, Charlotte Corney said:
“Exotic or domestic, no cat should be without a place to call home. While our responsibility is to provide sanctuary to tigers, lions and jaguar, we are overjoyed at the chance to have them raise the profile of little cats which deserve a secure and loving future”.
The Isle Of Wight Adoption Centre has been helping and homing cats on the Island since 1961 and is appealing for cat lovers to come and adopt their next feline friend. Last year the centre homed 450 cats and so far for 2016 the centre has taken in 406 cats/kittens and homed 350 cats/kittens and is likely to reach over 400 by the end of the year.
Mel Read, Manager of the Isle of Wight Adoption Centre said:
“Cats are our passion and we are very excited to be linking with the Isle of Wight Zoo to promote the cats needing homes. Cats Protection is always looking for fresh ideas to promote the work we do and we were thrilled when the zoo approached us with an offer of help. This is an amazing opportunity for Island cats”.
The zoo will be attending the Cats Protections Christmas Fayre on Saturday (26th November) between 12:00-15:00, showing their support for this new joint venture. They will also offer information on the Big Cats at the zoo and promote their ‘Pet Cats for Wild Cats’ scheme; this unique gift for the cat who has everything will enable your family pet cat an opportunity to help protect their wild cousin tigers in India.
This December will also see the launch of the Zoo’s Santa ‘Claws’ festive tree appeal which will enable the zoo animals to add their special gift requests to Santa. With a little help from their keepers, each zoo animal will leave a wish list gift idea on one of the trees on display at the zoo, zoo supporters and visitors will then have an opportunity to provide the gift for Santa ‘Claws’ to deliver to the zoo animals on Christmas day. The Cats Protection will also have a tree decorated with hopeful cats desperate for homes this winter.
A community board for cats appealing for homes is being supported by the zoo and further ideas for 2017 promotion are in development.
