Meet Pixie the cat, Kintyre Care Home’s first pet

Kintyre Care Home residents are feline happy after welcoming their first ever pet, Pixie the cat.

 

The nine-month-old black kitten is being well and truly spoiled by residents and staff, having arrived at the home's downstairs unit a few weeks ago.

 

“It’s been great having her – the residents are all daft on her,” said care home staff member Rachael Bridgewater. “They’re so excited every day to see what she’s getting up to. They call her Princess Pixie!”

 

"attachment_882052" "aligncenter" "300"] Pixie, centre, with Kintyre Care Home staff, from left, Maree Townsend, Susan Ellis, Rachael Bridgewater and Jennifer McKellar.

 

The idea for a care home pet came when manager Jennifer McKellar saw how much joy residents received during visits from her dog Cooper.

 

The suggestion of getting a pet was put to residents at one of their monthly meetings, during which any issues can be brought up, upcoming events talked about or proposals like this discussed.

 

A vote was taken and it was agreed that the new pet should be a cat, as many residents had them before moving into the care home.

 

Donnie Mclean at Campbeltown Cat Rescue was contacted and he revealed he had two female cats – sisters, one black and the other a tabby – looking for homes.

 

Jennifer and deputy home manager Maree Townsend visited the cat rescue and decided the black kitten would be ideal for the home.

 

"attachment_882058" "aligncenter" "300"] Care home resident Jean Burns enjoys a moment with Pixie.

 

However, bereft at the idea of leaving the tabby behind, Maree decided to take her home, and named her Dixie to match her sister!

 

Both cats are settling in well at their new homes, Pixie already having found her favourite spots to sit, hide and play at the care home.

 

She is an indoor cat, so signs have been erected at the care home's doors to warn visitors and staff to be extra careful in ensuring doors are closed securely when they come and go from the building to ensure she doesn't escape – although, it is unlikely that she would want to as she is so spoiled at the home!