Rent-a-cat: app lets Londoners borrow rodent-catching moggie

Update, 17 November 2017: Wood Green would like to point out that they no longer offer the service described below.

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Londoners with rodent problems can now temporarily foster a rescue cat through a new app service.

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The cleaning company Handy has partnered with animal charity Wood Green to offer 'foster-able felines' alongside its more typical cleaning and DIY services.

Customers can take the rescue cats for as long as a month and it's thought that just their scent is enough to keep mice and rats at bay.

While the service is free to Handy app users, people are encouraged to make a donation to the animal shelter - or even consider adopting the cat permanently.

"We have over 200 cats in need of good homes, some of which will benefit from being cared for temporarily in a home environment, until they find their forever homes," Juliette Jones, animal welfare consultant at Wood Green told the Press Association.

"We hope that this unique service will open people's minds to the positive impact – both practical and emotional – of having a loveable feline in residence."

Peter Dowds, manager at Handy, said he was responding to numerous requests from customers. "From Mayfair to Mile End, Chalk Farm to Chelsea, mice are unwelcome residents in homes across the capital," he said.

But, he said the main emphasis was on finding loving homes for the cats. "We hope that Londoners will fall in love with some of the attractive mousers that come to stay: potentially turning temporary residences into permanent ones as a result."

Potential fosterers will need to be within 40 minutes of Wood Green and be able to drive.

The app is available on both iOS and Android.