Dr Martine van Boeijen with Rollie the cat and head nurse Colleen O’Meara at the Perth Cat Hospital.
Camera IconDr Martine van Boeijen with Rollie the cat and head nurse Colleen O’Meara at the Perth Cat Hospital. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie        d449802

Hospital a labour of feline love

Sophie GabrielleWestern Suburbs Weekly

The Perth Cat Hospital in West Leederville opened this week and has already attracted more than 2500 Facebook followers.

It has been six years in the making for vet Martine van Boeijen.

“It is a fully equipped hospital,” Dr van Boeijen said.

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“A lot of people are worried about taking their cats to the vet because it can be a very stressful experience for them.

“All the staff here are specially trained for cats.”

Nurse Colleen O’Meara said all of the hospital’s staff, including her, loved cats.

In keeping with the area, artist Rahalie McGuirk painted a large, colourful mural on one of the hospital’s exterior walls.

“In West Perth and West Leederville there is a really strong street art movement,” Dr van Boeijen said.

“We wanted to give something to the community. It would be good if we can get some more (street art) around here.”

The hospital will donate a portion of pro-bono time to the Shenton Park Cat Haven every year.

An open day will be held at the hospital from 10am to 4pm on February 21.