In a heartwarming initiative aimed at addressing the issue of stray cats and the companionship needs of elderly individuals, Coast to Coast Cat Rescue, located in Kerikeri, is pioneering a program that pairs older cats with senior citizens. According to Sam Stewart, the chairperson of the charity, there is a noticeable surplus of stray cats in Northland, with many older felines being abandoned and overlooked for adoption.
Stewart shared the inspiration behind the program, highlighting the challenges older cats face in finding new homes. “We’ve got one cat in care at the moment who’s 11, she’s called Minnie, and the idea came to me when I was cleaning out her cage one day because I was like nobody’s really interested in taking her on so much because everybody just wants the kittens and the younger cats and they’re worried about older cats and the cost associated with that,” said Stewart. She further explained, “So I thought wouldn’t it be great, because she’s the ideal cat for an elderly person, if we could get some sponsorship from local businesses to help pay for the ongoing food and any medical bills that may come up, and then an older person that can’t afford to do all that themselves also gets a companion, so it’s kind of a win-win for everybody.”
The success of this program largely depends on gaining more sponsors and raising awareness about the issue of stray cats in the region. Stewart emphasized the importance of matching the right cat with the right person, considering factors such as the person’s physical condition and the cat’s temperament. “It’s about matching the cat to the person as well, there’s no point giving somebody who’s really frail and can easily fall over a kitten or a teen cat that’s going to trip them up,” she added.
Coast to Coast Cat Rescue has seen a significant increase in the number of adult cats under their care, housing approximately 100 adult cats in recent months, a number that exceeds their usual intake. Stewart attributes this surge to the rising cost of living and restrictions imposed by landlords on pet ownership in rental properties.
The program is designed to assist older individuals who desire feline companionship but are concerned about the financial responsibilities associated with pet ownership. Stewart explained, “We kept hearing from people saying I can’t quite make my super stretch that far, or I’m worried about what’s gonna happen to the cat when I die. So it was sort of an amalgamation of ideas that we suddenly went, hey hang on what if we did this?”
Looking ahead, Stewart envisions a future where more adult cats find loving homes while providing companionship to elderly residents. She noted, “It’s keeping older people company, it’s keeping our numbers down in the shelter. I mean let’s face it, it’s nicer for a cat to be loved and in a home versus in a cattery. In an ideal world this will really take off, we’ll get lots of sponsorship, we’ll get lots of cats in houses.”
Stewart stressed the significant benefits of the program for the elderly individuals involved. “There’s mental health benefits with an old person on their own, there’s the companionship, it’s sort of giving them a reason to get up and get things done like changing a litter tray, grooming, or taking them to a vet visit,” she stated. “There’s just so many actual benefits I think, and benefits for the cat as well that it’s warm, safe, dry, fed, and loved versus sitting in a cage or cattery environment.”
Ultimately, Stewart hopes that this initiative will address a broader societal issue while bringing comfort and joy to both cats and the elderly.
