The new Interactive Learning Centre at the Paws and Claws cat sanctuary has officially opened with the goal of increasing awareness of cat care following a drastic decline in the number of stray cats and kittens on the island.

The facility in Matavera will provide education to adults and children about the importance of cats beyond keeping their homes free of rats.

It was officially opened on Monday by Tui Dewes, the outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands. The new facility was funded under the New Zealand High Commission Embassy Fund.

Dewes urged the attendants to treat animals on the island with respect and care and to show humanity.

“As well as this anecdotal feedback, it’s good to know that there is clear evidence number of unwanted cats is decreasing, thanks to the success of the sanctuary, and your desexing programme in partnership with Te Are Manu,” she said.

“For all these reasons, the NZHC is thrilled to be partnering with Paws and Claws for the construction of this learning centre to support hands on learning and interaction programmes that teach people more about cats, and aim to enhance understanding, empathy and wellbeing.”

The island-wide cat population is believed to be decreasing drastically compared to two years ago, thanks to the Paws and Claws Sanctuary and its desexing programme.

However, more needs to be done, especially around education on the importance of cats, according to the sanctuary’s manager, Shannon Paul.

Speaking during the opening of the facility on Monday, Paul highlighted that while it was saddening to see the declining number of kittens coming to the sanctuary, the evidence of a decreasing stray cat population was a significant milestone for Rarotonga.

“Honestly, we would not be able to be teaching without the facilities and it’s been a blessing that the High Commissioner of New Zealand could do that for us,” she said.

“We have just had three kittens brought in to us and this is week nine that we have had no kittens until now where we had three kittens brought into the sanctuary.

“We’re actually grateful for the community for actually buckling down and doing something about the situation because without their support we wouldn’t have done this because it’s not a one-man band.”

The facility hosted desexing days in partnership with Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

Paul added that spaying and neutering cats was the best way to reduce the number of unwanted kittens on the island.

She explained that their desexing programme may be working, but the dog population needs a little bit of training in not killing cats. This can’t be taught if people can’t learn what a cat is and why they have cats, adds Paul.

Paws and Claws Cat Sanctuary’s initial goal is to see 85 per cent of cats and kittens on Rarotonga spayed or neutered and for the facility to no longer be needed.

Friends and supporters of the sanctuary including Member of Parliament for Matareva, Vaitoti Tupa, attended the ceremony on Monday.

Meanwhile, the next round of the New Zealand High Commission’s development grant will be launched soon under the theme: Ngakau aro’a, “which is all about caring for the community”. Dewes encourages everyone to apply.