WATCH: Cats' new crib remembers "extra special" residents

Monday 12 August 2019

The Animals' Shelter’s cattery recently got a long overdue revamp with a heartwarming twist: the different wings were named after cats with an “extra special place” in the hearts of the team.

The Foundations Back to Work team carried out the work at the JSPCA’s cattery, repainting the peach, yellow, pink, green and blue walls in fresh and white grey and adding photos of the cats staff have cared for over the years.

The work took just over six months to complete and staff at the JSPCA decided to pay tribute to six cats that had “an extra special place in our hearts” by naming the brand new wings after them. “All cats are special to us,” the team said. “It was very difficult to pick only six.”

Video: A look at the refurbished cattery.

“The wings are named after Splash, Honey, Star, Bo, Phoebe and Sassy,” Babs Keywood, PR and Media Manager at the Animal Shelter, said. “All cats that are at the JSPCA are special but these cats needed extra care and they all developed illnesses of some sort and passed away or were euthanised on medical grounds.”

The JSPCA shared their stories...

Splash was at the JSPCA for about nine months. She was 13 years and 11 months old and had an overactive thyroid. She unfortunately had to be euthanised before finding a home as she was very unwell and was starting to suffer from her condition. “Splash was a gentle old lady and is missed so much by all at the JSPCA,” Babs told Express.

Pictured: The cattery's decor aims to remember residents that have left a special impression on JSPCA staff.

Honey was left at the JSPCA because she often urinated in inappropriate places. Her owners really struggled to deal with the problem. Staff at the JSPCA discovered she had dementia and had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep. She was a really affectionate, sweet cat and described as very fondly remembered.

Star came in to the JSPCA as a cute kitten with fluffy black hair and big paws, after he had been found wandering around Green Street on his own. As one came forward to say they were missing their cat, he was rehomed. Star was very affectionate and friendly at the JSPCA and would go to anyone that had time for cuddles. He was adopted and then a few years later, developed heart failure and unfortunately, passed away within 10 months. 

Bo was an “older gentleman” that spent over a year waiting for a home at the JSPCA. He had a serious heart condition but eventually found a loving home. Unfortunately, he was only in his home for just over a month, before he passed away. “We are forever grateful that he was in a home, feeling happy and loved before he passed,” Babs said.

Pictured: The Foundations Back to Work team carried out the work at the JSPCA’s cattery.

Phoebe was at the JSPCA for some time.  She was very obese when she first came to the shelter so she had to be kept on a strict diet and do gentle exercises every day. “Poor Phoebe did not enjoy this and preferred to be sleeping, relaxing and being waited on hand and foot like the princess she was,” Babs recalled.  

Phoebe had a heart condition but did found a great home. Unfortunately, she passed away shortly after getting to her new home but at least she was happy and well cared for in her last days.

Sassy was 17 years and four months old. “She was such a lovely cat but she had kidney failure and was put to sleep because she was very ill and we didn’t want her to suffer any longer,” Babs explained. “She was well loved and got lots of love from staff and volunteers and will always hold a special place in our hearts.”