East Devon's main cat rehoming charity, Axhayes Cats Protection, has moved into its new premises and is once again open to visitors..

The rebuilt centre has 66 pens for cats, a bright reception area and an onsite vet room. Outside it has landscaped gardens with a water feature.

Midweek Herald: Water feature at the new centreThe previous building had closed in 2021, and Cats Protection relocated to a small cattery in Exmouth. Staff were finally able to move into the new centre in November last year, and began operating an appointment-based rehoming process in January. Since then 97 cats have been rehomed from the centre, and volunteers have been welcomed back to help clean the cats' pens.

The centre is open for cat adoptions, advice and shop sales, and will soon be putting on coffee mornings for members of the public who would like to visit.

Axhayes is currently looking for a new owner for a cat who has been with them for some time. 

Midweek Herald: Agnes the cat

Jackie Phipp from Axhayes said: "Agnes likes certain people at the centre more than others and can at times be a lovely friendly cat who likes a lap and will purr away and drool. This has taken time to get to this point so she is looking for patient owners who can do the same.

"She needs an experienced cat owner, who can read her subtle signs that she has had enough attention.

"Agnes may suit a home where she can start in an outbuilding or a secure separate part of the house and venture into the main house when she chooses to. She likes playing with her toys and can be quite entertaining to watch, she is also very clever and enjoys her food in puzzle feeders which is great for her mind. If you have the right home and would like to come meet Agnes, please get in touch."

For more information about adopting cats, visit www.cats.org.uk/axhayes or call 01395 232377.