With new statistics released showing that the wellbeing of millions of people has been affected by loneliness during lockdown, this is now more important than ever.

We’ve also helped compile a report on loneliness, working alongside Battersea and Blue Cross as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats. The report identifies that cat ownership and interaction is one of a number of measures with the potential to tackle loneliness across all age groups – an area that, until now, has been underexplored.

Our Head of Advocacy & Government Relations, Jacqui Cuff said: “Even during normal times, people of all ages can be affected by loneliness. But this has been bought into sharp focus during lockdown.”

“Cats can help prevent feelings of loneliness in all sorts of ways, whether providing entertainment through play or being there for a soothing cuddle. Often, people tell us it is a great source of comfort to simply have another living being in the home to care for and talk to.”

While the lockdown situation has meant that our homing of cats was put on pause, there is hope that our new hands-free homing initiative will help to safely provide people with the opportunity to adopt a cat. We’re taking precautions to keep cats, volunteers, employees and the public safe through our new process.