There’s no doubt that cats have a very important role to play in people’s lives, bringing many positive benefits which can help reduce loneliness and improve owners’ well-being.

Having heard such positive stories about the Cats Protection Dereham Adoption Branch (based at Longham), I was delighted to visit the team this past Friday. Following their £1.2 million refurbishment earlier this year, they have been able to step up their efforts to improve feline welfare in our area and help people across Mid Norfolk welcome a cat into their lives.

As a cat lover myself, I enjoyed the chance to meet a number of the cats – and to hear more about the campaigning work that Cats Protection undertake. At the moment, the charity is promoting its ‘PurrFect Landlords’ campaign to encourage landlords in the private rented sector to allow their tenants to own cats. Statistics show that more than 75% of cat friendly landlords report no problems from cats in their properties, and that the well-being and good behaviour of their tenants is increased when a cat is in the home. (To find out more, please click here)

I look forward to continuing my support of this most worthwhile charity, and I hope to visit again in the New Year to hear how the team are getting on.