Section: Cat Centre
About Us
Who we are
Ten Lives is the largest dedicated cat shelter in Tasmania. We are a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation. Ten Lives is dedicated to caring for and rehoming the unwanted cats and kittens of Southern Tasmania. We also work with improving feline welfare in Tasmania and encouraging responsible cat ownership.
The Centre’s primary function is to re-house unwanted owned, stray and feral cats. Thousands of cats pass through the centre each year and in kitten season. The average is one every 30 minutes during our seven days a week operation.
Our history
Ten Lives has a proud history of more than 70 years of caring for the unwanted cats and kittens of southern Hobart. We started life in 1949 as the Tasmanian Animal Protection Society. Founded by Joan Allport, it became a dedicated cat centre in 1974 under the leadership of Florence Robson. She had a vision to provide a shelter for all unwanted cats and kittens of Hobart. The Hobart Cat Centre was located in Strickland Avenue, South Hobart until 2007. It then moved to the new now current facility at 12 Selfs Point Road in New Town, generously provided by the Hobart City Council.
Our name
In March 2017 we changed our name to the Ten Lives Cat Centre to better reflect who we are, what we do and where we do it: for cats, the environment and the community in Tasmania. “Ten Lives” gives us a voice on a state, national and even international level as a leading cat management organisation.
“Ten Lives” is a play on the old English proverb that says, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.” We believe that when a cat comes to us, we give him one extra life, so he in fact has Ten Lives. Ten Lives represents cats, the environment and the community. The ten colours of the logo represent the ten lives of a cat and the pillars of our Strategic Plan, which are: our cats, our people, our sustainable organisation, our environment and our community.
Our organisation
Ten Lives is overseen by a voluntary Board and managed by Noel Hunt, our Centre Manager. We have an extremely dedicated and hardworking team of staff and volunteers. The volunteers include an army of foster carers, who make it possible to care for and rehome our cats.
Our purpose is, “Helping cats to be a positive part of the community” and our vision is, “Leadership for all things cats”. Our objectives are to:
- promote and improve the welfare of cats and kittens.
- promote responsible cat ownership and humane animal welfare principles.
- shift public attitude towards the welfare of their cats so that there are no stray, abandoned, lost, unwanted or feral cats.
- operate the Ten Lives Cat Centre effectively and sustainably and provide the best possible care for cats in need.
- facilitate successful adoption of cats and kittens into appropriate homes.
- reduce unnecessary euthanasia of cats and kittens.
Please come into the Centre for a closer look. Enjoy a coffee as you wander, have a smooch with our kitties for adoption and pick up some goodies for your favourite puss. Thank you – our success relies on your support!