Cat Chat

A staged rebuild with the consolidation and collocation of functions will improve workflows across the site whilst expanding useable area by building up. Stage 1 will see the demolition of the existing ‘cottage’ (admin, foster) with a double storey building in its place comprising sort/intake, clinic, office, and training facilities. Upon completion, the former clinic building will be refurbished for our foster operations and the former sort/intake area will be refurbished as dedicated volunteer amenities.

Stage 2 will be the consolidation and rebuild of cat accommodation facilities for holding, adoptions and boarding.

Stage 3 will see the removal of all remaining buildings/structures and replacement with the balance of facilities (quarantine, foster, utilities, store, maintenance). Subject to funding, options will be considered for a separate redevelopment of the existing reception/retail building and carpark.

Seven options were reviewed with six deemed unviable. Refurbishing or extending our facilities would not materially change underlying issues. Equally, doing nothing would just defer issues. Changing our business model to outsource clinical services would result in a loss of control, clinical cost increases, and potential reduction of service. Relocating our operations to an alternate site would allow for a bespoke build however previous investigations have not identified suitable land like our current site.

The last option is to rebuild on the existing site. A full demolition and rebuild would require relocation to a temporary facility to maintain operations with considerable setup costs. A staged rebuild would allow for continued operations, albeit with manageable disruption. The staged option would see smaller packages of work undertaken and, whilst taking overall longer to deliver, would likely be more palatable to funding stakeholders.

Capacity Planning: Addressing
infrastructure needs now allows us to proactively prepare for potential
increases in cat intake volumes. By expanding capacity and improving facilities ahead of anticipated changes in the Cat Act, we can better accommodate the needs of a larger cat population without compromising on care standards or overcrowding.

Operational Efficiency: Upgrading
facilities now improves operational efficiency and effectiveness, enabling us
to handle higher intake volumes more seamlessly. This will help facilitate
smoother operations, reduce stress on staff and volunteers, and ensure optimal
care for all cats. 

Compliance with Regulations:
Anticipated changes to the Cat Act may introduce new requirements or standards for animal welfare organisations. By undertaking the project now, we can proactively ensure compliance with future regulations, avoiding potential penalties or legal challenges associated with non-compliance. It also ensures we remain able to respond if smaller welfare organisations cannot.

Financial Considerations: Delaying
the project may result in increased costs in the long run. As cat intake volumes rise, we may face greater strain on existing facilities, leading to higher maintenance expenses, increased operational costs (particularly via
outsourcing), and potential emergency repairs.

Animal Welfare: Every day that Cat
Haven operates with inadequate facilities, cats may suffer due to overcrowding or substandard living conditions. Acting promptly to improve facilities means providing a better quality of life for cats in need, minimising their
suffering, and maximising their chances of adoption.

Improved Animal Welfare: Upgrading
facilities will provide better conditions for the cats, including better ventilation, temperature control, and space, leading to enhanced physical and mental well-being.

Enhanced Health and Safety:
Modernised facilities will improve infection control, reducing the risk of
diseases among the cats and workers. This also ensures a safer environment for visitors.

Increased Adoption Rates: With
improved facilities and a more welcoming environment, potential adopters are more likely to visit Cat Haven and consider adopting. This can lead to higher adoption rates and reduced overcrowding.

Better Working Conditions: Upgraded
facilities will improve the working environment for our workers, fostering improved morale and productivity. This includes ergonomic workspaces, improved lighting, dedicated volunteer amenities, and better-equipped medical facilities.

Community Engagement: A new Cat Haven will serve as a hub for community engagement, hosting events, workshops, and educational programs. This will foster a sense of community involvement and support for cat welfare initiatives including responsible pet ownership.

Our current Strategic Plan is premised around three pillars: organisational sustainability, technology infrastructure, and community and stakeholder engagement. New facilities will ensure Cat Haven can become more efficient with better resource allocation, increased capability, and capacity for care. The integration of new technology will ensure we can deliver the best care to our cats, improve site productivity, and reduce length of stay. Expanded capacity will ensure we can support more local government’s meet their requirements under the Cat Act and increase opportunities to host educators and their students to support the next generation.

Cat Haven submitted, and received, development approval in 2023 for a transportable building that was to be installed adjacent the cottage. The project encountered an unforeseen technical issue which would have resulted in a budget blowout requiring considerable additional funding by Cat Haven in addition to the grant. The Board decided to cancel the project as it did not represent good value for money. Lotterywest approved the repurposing of the grant for planning and design of Stage 1 of the redevelopment.

We will seek to minimise impact to operations during construction. Access around the site will change to facilitate safe access with fencing and signage. There will be temporary facilities in place to allow certain functions to continue operating. The builder will seek to limit noise and vibration as best possible. Calming music and Feliway diffusers will be maintained in the cat accommodation areas.

Yes, the new buildings will be compliant with current access requirements including lifts.

The full site redevelopment is likely to cost in excess of $30m based on a recent similar development undertaken by RSCPA South Australia, however, will be subject to the final scope and when construction is anticipated to be undertaken. The Stage 1 development is likely to cost around $9-$11m, including full fit out and temporary works to support the build.

Cat Haven delivers an essential community service to the Western Australian community particularly as a place of last resort. Our ongoing operations not only save local government rate payers around $3.4m of direct cat management costs annually, we also conservatively save environmental damages of around $2.6m by removing stray and unwarranted cats from the streets. By 2034 these savings are anticipated to rise to $5m and $4m, respectively, in today’s terms.

Despite saving the Western Australian community annual direct costs of over $3m, our annual Stage Government grant under the Companion Animal Shelter Program is $150,000.

Benefit cost ration modelling for the full redevelopment over a 20 year horizon shows a BCR of circa 3.8.

Cat Haven is liaising with potential funding stakeholders including the State Government, Lotterywest and private entities.

Cat Haven will contribute some funds toward the redevelopment.

Cat Haven runs at a considerable operating loss every year and must rely nearly entirely on community goodwill. Whilst bequests do provide a welcome source of revenue, they are unpredictable and cannot be quarantined for capital expenditure purposes such as this redevelopment. Cat Haven is attempting to diversify revenue streams through initiatives such as the Op Shop and is undertaking a holistic review of the Cat Management Facility program.

Cost-Efficiency: While direct spending on cat welfare is crucial, neglecting infrastructure can result in higher operational costs over time due to inefficiencies, maintenance issues, and potential liabilities. By addressing infrastructure needs now, we can reduce long-term expenses and allocate more resources to the cats in the future.

Impact on Animal Welfare: Improved infrastructure creates a healthier and more comfortable environment for the cats, which can lead to reduced medical expenses, improved adoption rates, and overall better welfare outcomes for the cats.

Impact on Worker Welfare: Modern facilities will ensure we can create a collaborative and more efficiently run the organisation. Worker retention (both staff and volunteers) will be improved by providing a comfortable workplace where all workers feel valued and can perform at their best. New facilities will remove legacy hazards and potential liabilities.

Donor Stewardship: Investing in infrastructure not only benefits the cats but also enhances the ability to fulfill our mission and serve the community. Prudent and responsible financial management to date has positioned us to be able to invest in our future and minimise future exposure.

Long-Term Vision: Investing in our infrastructure is part of a comprehensive strategy to build a sustainable and resilient Cat Haven that can continue to provide high-quality care for the cats for years to come. The redevelopment lays the foundation for future growth and success.

Community Impact: A modernised shelter will attract more visitors, volunteers, and support from the community, leading to increased awareness, engagement, and collaboration on cat welfare issues. Our enhanced capacity will ensure we can support the Western Australian community more comprehensively.

Balancing Priorities: We are committed to finding a balance between immediate needs and long-term investments, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maximise impact for both the cats and the community.

Consultation commenced with key staff in late 2023 to ensure functional requirements and building workflows were understood. A designer has been engaged to provide specialist technical input and to further develop the design suitable for development approval.

As the project develops, there will be opportunities for the community to contribute to ways that Cat Haven can celebrate its history.

Mission Alignment: Our core mission and values remain unchanged. The redevelopment is aimed at better fulfilling this mission by improving the facilities and services provided to the cats.

Continued Commitment: We dedicated to our primary objective of rescuing cats from the perils of the streets. The redevelopment is intended to enhance our ability to fulfill this commitment, rather than detract from it.

Animal-Centric Approach: Every decision regarding the redevelopment is being made with the cats’ best interests in mind. This includes considerations such as providing comfortable living spaces, enriching environments, and high-quality veterinary care.

Maintaining Core Values: Our core values, such as integrity, respect, kindness, and ongoing improvement, will continue to guide all aspects of our operations, even amidst changes brought about by the redevelopment.

Open Communication: We will maintain open lines of communication throughout the redevelopment process to address any concerns or questions that arise. This will be undertaken through regular project updates and forums to allow our members and the wider community the opportunity to understand the project and its benefits in more detail.