Mr Fletcher met staff and volunteers at the centre before enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour where he met some of the cats currently looking for new homes.

Cats Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity, has helped an average of 166,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.

Wales is a nation of cat lovers, with 28% of householders owning one, according to Cats Protection’s Cats and Their Stats report, published October 2022.

During his visit, Mr Fletcher found out more about Cats Protection’s campaigns to encourage more landlords to allow tenants to keep pet cats. He also discussed Cats Protection’s calls for the Welsh Government to introduce compulsory microchipping for pet cats and regulation of animal welfare establishments.

Mr Fletcher MS said: “I was delighted to visit Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre and find out about the charity’s work to help cats in Wales. As an animal lover myself, I know how much companionship and joy cats can bring to their owners, so I was particularly keen to find out more about Cats Protection’s work to encourage more landlords to allow pet cats. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Cats Protection to improve feline welfare in Wales.”

Cats Protection’s Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Wales Daryl Gordon said: “We were pleased to welcome Mr Fletcher to the centre to discuss the work we do to help cats and improve feline welfare in Wales and the UK. It’s great to see politicians taking a keen interest in cat welfare, which is an important issue for many people.”