Local MS Huw Irranca-Davies and the Mayor of Bridgend Councillor Huw David joined the fun of a jazz-themed open day at the Cats Protection Wales Cat Centre in Bryncethin, which raised funds for local homeless cats and saw seven find new homes.

This year with a jazz theme, it was filled with activities and stalls as well as opportunities to learn about the charity’s work and go behind-the-scenes to meet the cats.

Huw Irranca-Davies MS said:   “I was delighted to support the Cats Protection Wales’ annual open day and meet one-eyed kittens Tinky and Winky. It’s a true testament to the dedication of the staff and volunteers that this event not only raised vital funds but also found loving new homes for seven cats. As a rescued cat owner myself, I know how crucial their work is and the huge impact they have in our communities. The Cat’s Protection does fantastic work under enormous pressure, and cat welfare is an important issue for many people.”

The Mayor added: “The open day brought together cat-lovers from across the county and I really enjoyed going behind the scenes at the centre to understand the variety of ways Cats Protection helps cats and their owners in the community. Congratulations to the team for even managing to find homes for cats at the same time as ensuring a great day out was had by all!”

The day raised over £1,500 with all monies going to help the cats in care thanks to sponsorship of the event by Shepherds the Vets. Highlights included stalls of cat-themed merchandise from Cats Protection Gwent and Cardiff volunteer teams, a children’s activity corner with hook the duck, a raffle, a ‘barrow of booze’ and delicious food including The Graham Family’s popular cake stall.

The Ogmore MS and Mayor met 15-week-old cats, Tinky and Winky, who were both handed in to Shepherds the Vets from an unwanted litter before being signed into the centre’s care for treatment and rehoming. They were very poorly and suffering with cat flu which led to each of them needing an eye removed, however both recovered well from surgery and have since been homed together.

Centre manager, Sue Ben-Saud, says: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended our open day and also all our brilliant volunteers, supporters and staff who really pulled out the stops to make it happen.

“It was a truly fun-filled day and we were honoured to welcome Huw Irranca-Davies MS and the Mayor of Bridgend who both joined in the festivities but also took the time to not only find out what goes on behind the scenes at our busy centre but to also understand the challenges cats and their owners are facing locally and across Wales.”

All funds raised will help the centre care for its cats including two-year-old black and white Rosie who arrived at the centre with her kittens. Rosie had previously been living with a number of other cats and her owner became unable to care for them all meaning Rosie has not had much human interaction and is quite fearful of people. The centre is therefore looking for a predominantly outdoors home for her, such as a stable or smallholding, where she can start off outside with option to come into the home if she chooses to. Rosie would make an excellent mouser and the team can talk through the best ways to help her adjust.

Like all Cats Protection cats, she will arrive in her new home having been vet-checked, microchipped, neutered and will be up to date with her vaccines as well as flea and worm treatments. Four weeks of free pet insurance will also be available to her new owners.

To find out more about Rosie and the other cats in care at Cats Protection Wales Cat Centre visit www.cats.org.uk/bridgend