Gone are the days of depressing cages fit only for cats who have committed crimes, because the RSPCA Tasmania is transitioning to "socially conscious sheltering".
The RSPCA's Invermay, Hobart and Latrobe retail centres were all privy to an upgrade providing comfortable living conditions to cats waiting to be adopted.
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RSPCA Tasmania chief executive Jan Davis said the "socially conscious sheltering" model was one the organisation was excited to move towards.
"We are revamping all of our retail centres to make sure it reflects the principles of socially conscious sheltering, where animals are front and centre and the have the best living conditions we can possibly provide," she said.
"It's is also part of a new approach to animals in a shelter environment where we're trying to minimise the time any animal spends in a shelter. A lot of our animals will never have to go to the shelter."
Ms Davis announced the upgrades alongside four cats who were hoping to be adopted to their forever home.
Nellie, Nigel, Nancy and Nina had all found a temporary place in the upgraded facilities where they seemed content and relaxed awaiting new owners.
Ms Davis said the improvements were positive for the animals involved, but research had shown potential adoptees were receptive to the fresh environment.
She said it also enabled an adopted cat to transition more effectively into a new home.
"It's good for the animals and it's good for the people. It's much, much less stressful and the really good thing is, if you were to adopt one of these cats, they'll settle for a lot more quickly, because they're a lot less stressed," Ms Davis said.
The upgrades were made possible by donations and generous tradespeople.
They came just before an expected uptick in cats coming into the RSPCA needing adoption, ahead of "cat season" as Ms Davis termed it.
There remained about 100 cats currently awaiting adoption through the organisation, but that number was expected to rise over the coming months.
Ms Davis said the RSPCA would be on the lookout for potential new adoptees with the wave of new cats.
She said the value of adopted pets had been reiterated during the COVID pandemic which had also seen numbers of animals needing rehoming drop.
"If somebody is after some love and affection in their life, there's nothing better than an adopted pet," Ms Davis said.
"They appreciate the effort you've made and they probably love you as much as anything possibly could. And it gives them a home and a lovely future they otherwise might not have had."
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