STAFF and volunteers at the RSPCA Cat Hub in Darlington have successfully re-homed 1000 cats since the centre opened, and welcomed Julian Norton, also known as Channel 4’s The Yorkshire Vet as special guest.
Hugo has been at the centre for just a few months and in that time has stolen the hearts of staff, volunteers and of course, his new owners.
The RSPCA’s Cat Hub was set up four years ago to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats in need in the North East. During that time the Cat Hub has re-homed 250 cats a year, with Hugo being the 1000th.
Mark Gent, RSPCA Chief Inspector for Durham and Cleveland, said: “The Cat Hub was established with the aim of re-homing 120 cats each year, so re-homing 1000 cats in just four years means that we are performing very well.
"Up to 30 cats and kittens are available for re-homing at the Cat Hub at any one time. As soon as one cat leaves, another comes, so we are always fundraising and grateful for any support the public gives us.”
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Hugo was rescued by the RSPCA as a stray in November 2021 as he had injuries to his eye and jaw.
He was suffering from an eye condition called entropion and needed treatment and an operation.
Additionally, he needed three teeth removing before he was moved into foster care in January.
Hugo will be welcomed into the home of Jean and Andrew Pegg, from Darlington.
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Jean orginally fostered Hugo but after falling in love with him, she decided to make it a permanent arrangement.
After a cancer diagnosis, Jean starting fostering cats in 2008 as a distraction. Since the Cat Hub opened four years ago, she has fostered a whopping 90 cats for the RSPCA.
Jean said: “I have fostered a lot of lovely cats that have left me for forever homes but the ones I have kept have been the sick and the old with not much life left in them- the ones that no one else seems to want.
“They have all ben beautiful cats and would spend their last few months living in a warm, loving and safe environment. In 2016 we decided to make some changes to our house and converted our garage specifically for the cats. I’ve always worked from home so had plenty of time to care for them but now that I’ve retired I can spend much more time with the cats who need me. It’s very rewarding!”
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Julian Norton, The Yorkshire Vet, said: “Cats are very individual and can have a huge impact on their owner’s mood and general wellbeing. They can be known as being aloof but it really depends on the cat, they’re all different.”
Sophie Moran-Barker, re-homing coordinator at the Cat Hub, said: “We often see cats who have been abandoned, neglected, and abused and are in desperate need of care and love. It’s fantastic to be able to say we have rehomed 1000 cats and to see Hugo, and all the cats in our care, go off to loving homes is so rewarding.”
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