Mr Giffard met employees and volunteers at the centre before enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour to meet some of the cats currently looking for new homes.

Cats Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity, has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 200 volunteer-run branches and 32 centres.

During the visit, Mr Giffard found out more about the campaigning work of Cats Protection to encourage more landlords to allow tenants to keep pet cats. They also discussed the charity’s calls for the Welsh Government to introduce compulsory microchipping for pet cats.

Mr Giffard said: “I was delighted to visit Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre and learn about the hard work carried out by the staff and volunteers to help cats, not just in Bridgend but the whole of South Wales and even over the border. As a cat owner myself, it is comforting to know we have so many dedicated people working to help cats here in Bridgend. I was also keen to hear how Senedd members can help Cats Protection improve cat welfare in Wales.”

Cats Protection Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Wales Daryl Gordon said: “We were pleased to welcome Mr Giffard to the centre to discuss the work we do to help cats and improve feline welfare in Wales and the UK. It’s great to see politicians taking a keen interest in cat welfare, which is an important issue for many people.”