Exeter cats take to online dating

The animals are taking over!

Cats at Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre have a new way of finding someone to look after them. Think of it as Tinder for moggies. The centre is piloting a hands-free homing scheme.

Every feline needs a friend, so when you check out a pet on the Exeter Cats Protection website, you can arrange a time for the cat to video-call you!  

The first cat to be adapted using the technology is two-year-old Bellamy. The Axhayes Adoption Centre took him in after his owner’s new landlord wouldn't allow cats. Bellamy now lives with pensioners Lyn and Barry from Teignmouth. Lyn said: “We were excited to hear about the new scheme and that it was being trialled at the Exeter centre. We had been thinking of getting a cat for a while and when we saw Bellamy online we knew he was the cat for us.

Cats available to rehome are neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and a special aftercare package includes follow-up calls in the first weeks to ensure that the cat and new owner are both happy.

Hands-free homing helps cats waiting for homes and give prospective owners a chance to adopt and enjoy feline company as lockdown continues. 

Mark Magee, the adoption centre manager, said: “We have had an excellent take-up of cats through the new hands-free homing process. It not only helps us to find loving homes for the cats in our care, it provides much needed companionship for people at this difficult time, as well as giving cats and owners a good amount of time in the new home together getting to know each other.”

If you think you could be the purrfect match for one of the cats at Exeter Axhayes Adoption Centre, visit www.cats.org.uk/axhayes/adopt-a-cat