Emergency Boarding Facility Fundraiser

We need your help.

Cat Haven is receiving an increasing number of emergency boarding requests from owners and cats in crisis situations. Over the last few years, Cat Haven has provided emergency assistance for cats requiring housing and care while owners are seeking refuge or treatment in situations of domestic violence, homelessness and emergency medical treatment. The enquiries we receive require immediate action as owners are often hesitant to access help for themselves until they know their cat/s can find accommodation and care, compromising their own health and safety.

Cat Haven recognises the community need for this service and to ensure we can provide an on-going service, even in peak times, we desperately need to refurbish an area of our shelter to create a purpose built and dedicated respite accommodation area for our emergency boarding cats. The area has been allocated for this purpose however needs a lot of work to get it up to standard so that the cats that come into emergency care are able to receive the very best care while their owners receive the assistance they need to bring them home.

Who does this service help?

Cats where owners:

·         Are receiving inpatient mental health treatment

·         Are receiving emergency medical treatment

·         Have been made homeless and need to access emergency shelter accommodation

·         In a domestic violence situation

We know the true love that exists between cats and their owners and wish for this service to offer support to owners and cats in our community that are the most vulnerable, ensuring that they can be reunited once treatment or help has been received. Often, in the situations we encounter, owners have no access to support from family or friends and are socially isolated in their situation. For these owners, the bond and companionship they share with their cat is a lifeline.

So what does this area need?

This area is part of Cat Haven’s original building – as you can see from the photos it has not been refurbished for a very long time, lacks natural light and is stark. This is not ideal for any cat.

In order to bring the area up to date, expand the current housing capacity and to ensure that the stay for the cats is as stress free as possible we are seeking funding to create the following changes:

·         Skylights to bring natural light in

·         2 additional kennel runs

·         A new door

·         Perspex walls between kennels to reduce stress between cats housed

·         New paint on walls and floors

·         Artificial lighting

·         Storage space for food, litter and utensils

·         Cat furniture in each run

·         Greenery

·         A cat calming station

·         A workstation for staff and volunteers to provide company and enrichment on a daily basis

We are also seeking funding to provide essential care for cats that require this service including food, vaccinations, sterilisations, flea and worming and general health checks while they are with us. On average an emergency boarder stays in our care for 3 weeks at a cost of $600 when providing basic veterinary treatment. It is vital that this service is accessible and free of charge for those in our community that need it most.

Can you support us in providing a permanent emergency boarding department?

Our goal of $25,000 will used for the refurbishment of the site and providing the on-going care, free of charge, to emergency boarders for 12 months. We hope to gain additional funding within 12 months to see this dedicated service continue well into the future, keeping cats and owners together through times of crisis.