Every morning a cat called Dumpy stands at the window of a sheltered housing facility, waiting for staff to let her in.
Charlotte Wilson works there as a care coordinator.
The facility offers round-the-clock supported living for people with psychiatric vulnerabilities.
The facility took Dumpy over from the neighbours across the street six years ago.
A shared calendar for one cat
Dumpy does not go into the residents’ own homes, but the residents do drop by to visit her.
She comes in for food and to be stroked.
Wilson says they look after the cat together and keep a shared Dumpy calendar to organise her care.
Part of the daily routine
According to Wilson, Dumpy has become very important because she is now part of their routine.
In summer the cat spends most of her time outdoors, and Wilson says they are genuinely upset if she stays away for a day.
She adds that Dumpy brings them a sense of calm, especially when a lot is going on.
If Dumpy’s morning visits have you longing for a calming companion of your own, here is where to find an animal in need of a home around the city.