The first kitten to be homed from Cats Protection’s new National Cat Centre has got stars in her eyes after appearing on the popular children’s TV programme, Blue Peter!

Nine-week-old Molly, the first feline to be adopted from Cats Protection’s new National Cat Centre, stole the show recently when she was filmed meeting her new family with the help of popular TV children’s presenter, Liz Barker.

It’s a happy ending to a sad story. Molly’s mum was one of 140 felines recently removed from just one house in the Midlands, during Cats Protection’s biggest-ever rescue mission.

Black and white Molly’s new owners, Richard and Clare Brock and their children Hannah, 10, and Matthew, 7, from Horsham, West Sussex, were delighted with their new feline friend.

Mum Clare said: “We desperately wanted another kitten to keep our other aging cat company and our first instinct was to go to Cats Protection so we could support a worthy charity. Molly has brought us so much happiness, even in the short time we’ve had her!”

Blue Peter visited Cats Protection’s new National Cat Centre (NCC), situated north of Haywards Heath, last Thursday to film the charity’s work – including the transfer of 80 cats from Barnjet Centre in Crawley Down (now closed) to the organisation’s new flagship Cat Adoption Centre at the NCC.

Cats Protection currently finds loving homes for around 60,000 cats a year through its large regional network of 29 centres and 260 voluntary-run Branches – more than any other animal welfare charity. Even though the cat is the UK’s favourite pet, many pet owners are unable to keep their cat throughout its lifetime. This is due to a growing feline population that is living longer, coupled with the fact people’s personal circumstances are changing faster than ever. So, for every two cats currently in CP’s care, there’s another one waiting to come in.

The NCC’s Cat Adoption Centre will be open seven days a week, from 10.00am to 4.00pm, with late night opening on Fridays. Visitors are welcome. For directions to the site, and to find out more about adopting a Cats Protection cat, please contact the charity’s Helpline (tel: 08702 099 099, e-mail: helpline@cats.org.uk or log onto www.cats.org.uk