A letter from Cats Protection's CEO

Cats Protection has shared a letter from its chief executive

James Yeates about the “triumph” of its Hands-Free Homing programme, launched in response to the first UK national lockdown last year.

The letter reads: “At Cats Protection we have much to be grateful for. This year has challenged us like never before, but we have come through with greater focus, and a renewed commitment to improving the welfare of cats and supporting better cat ownership.

“As we mark the anniversary of the first lockdown measures, we want to learn from our shared successes and experiences and acknowledge what we have achieved together.

“One year ago we launched Hands-Free Homing, a pioneering online adoption process that has become the new normal. Prospective owners pick a pet from our website and, after a chat with our adoption team, the cat is delivered to its new home.

“This programme has been a triumph, allowing us to successfully match more than 20,000 cats with their forever homes to provide much-needed companionship. Additionally, the number of cats returned by their new owners has gone down by a third.

“We do not underestimate this incredible achievement and the dedication of everyone involved in helping us reach this milestone.

"It is just one example of how our team of colleagues, volunteers, and supporters have risen to every challenge, and proven how we can progress by embracing change. Thanks to their hard work, cats in need continue to receive our support, even in these most trying times.”

The letter concludes with a thank you to the Cats Protection team:

“I would like to thank everyone at

Cats Protection who has contributed to our response to extraordinary circumstances and who continues to be part of our outstanding team.”