Phoebe the cat is the purrfect visitor thanks to Velma’s Pets As Therapy

Phoebe the kitten is the cat’s whiskers when she visits residents at retirement villages.

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Phoebe the kitten was the cat’s whiskers when she visited residents at several Anglicare villages at Castle Hill last week.

It was Lyn Deacon’s first visit to the retirement villages with nine-month-old Pheobe who delighted everyone.

The Cessnock resident has been taking cats on visits around Newcastle and the Central Coast for many years which is why she travelled down to carry out Velma’s Pet Therapy’s first feline visits in Sydney.

Lyn Deacon and Thelma Dawson 90 with Phoebe

Phoebe was just a week old when she was handed in to Lyn after she survived being washed down a drain during the violent Christmas storms.

The dynamic duo visited more than 60 elderly residents over two days at Castle Hill including 90-year-old Thelma Dawson (pictured).

“I love cats. I have had a cat since I was eight years old,” said Mrs Dawson

Phoebe was the first cat she has had the chance to pet in nearly two years.

“She was so beautiful.”

Lyn Deacon and Thelma Dawson 90 with Phoebe. Photo David Swift

Velma Harris who has run Velma’s Pets as Therapy for 17 years said it was residents at Castle Hill who asked for a visiting cat.

“(Volunteers) have been visiting ARV (now Anglicare) for many years with dogs and it was the staff who told us that more and more people were asking for a friendly, visiting cat.”

The program is now looking for cats and volunteers in the Hills area.

“It’s been quite difficult finding suitable cats,” said Velma.

“They don’t have to be just friendly they also have to be confident and comfortable travelling in a car, wearing a coat and harness and walking on a leash.”

And if you have a cat that ticks all the boxes then it can be trained to do tricks. Phoebe can sit and beg, gives kisses and high fives and can also find things. On Thursday though she found a book shelf and curled up after numerous laps were given the Phoebe treatment!

Velma’s Pets As Therapy has 40 volunteers and their pets visiting the frail and elderly.

Most are dogs, and the occasional rabbit, but in the past there has been a huge variety including guinea pigs, rats, parrots and even a chicken.

Cats and their owners are needed. If you want to know more contact Velma on 0432 578 210 or email [e-mail]. The website is velmaspetsastherapy.com.au