AN ANIMAL charity, which has a shop in Wokingham’s town centre, has launched a unique campaign to help more animals find homes.
Blue Cross, which has a branch in Market Place, has launched the world’s first Estate Agent for Cats, a pop-up shop in London’s East End offering unique properties for sale which are all designed and built exclusively for cats.
The cat houses – ranging from a Georgian manor to quaint cottages – are all made out of cardboard boxes and have been designed by journalists, bloggers, designers, retailers, university students and school children, and will be put up for sale in a silent auction.
The proceeds from the sale of the houses will go towards the Blue Cross, who help thousands of homeless, unwanted, sick and injured pets every year. And what’s more, every pet featured in the campaign is a rescue cat who is looking for their forever home.
The more serious message behind the Estate Agent for Cats is the importance for pets to have mental stimulation and a private place to have some quiet time where they won’t be disturbed. The charity also wants to promote the hundreds of homeless and unwanted cats currently in its care all needing a real home to call their own.
Ryan Neile, Head of Animal Behaviour at Blue Cross said: “Cats are very inquisitive and love to explore new things, so most won’t hesitate to jump inside a cardboard box. Owners often provide cardboard boxes for kittens to climb and play on and jump in and these early experiences create an affection for boxes in later life. Cats also love to hide and feel safe and secure, they will often seek out dark nooks and crannies with high sides.”
The pop-up shop is located at PetsPyjamas at 81 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4QS and is open to the public between 10am and 4pm from April 26 to April 29. If you can’t make it along to the pop-up shop but would like to bid on one of the houses, visit https://www.bluecross.org.uk/catsloveboxes for more information.
