Humane Society in Canada launches "iPads for Cats" program

There’s a new market for Apple to target… cats!

The Regina Humane Society launched its iPads for Cats program in late 2016. (Scroll down for video.)

via Regina Humane Society

"It's a new program for us, but it's certainly not a new program for cats," said Lisa Koch, executive director of the Regina Humane Society.

"Owned cats around the world have apps that they play with on their owners [iPads], and it's something that we've adopted here at the Humane Society for cats who don't have families to make the environment that they're living in more stimulating for them mentally."

There are several interactive play programs specifically designed for cats. There are programs that have fish, insects or mice that move, make sounds, and disappear while the cat tries to play with it and capture its prey.

via Regina Humane Society

via Regina Humane Society

via Regina Humane Society

"Cats love to hunt and stalk things, and what these programs do is they give the cats the opportunity to do that on the iPads," Koch said.

There are actually plenty of interactive play programs specifically designed for cats you can find in the app store. There are programs that have fish, insects or mice that move, make sounds, and disappear while the cat tries to play with it and capture its prey.

"Cats love to hunt and stalk things, and what these programs do is they give the cats the opportunity to do that on the iPads," Koch said.

This helps ease the stress of cats living in a shelter and gives them a chance to play and have fun.

via Regina Humane Society

“It is interesting that we have observed some of the younger cats in a communal room will gather around the iPad and play for a bit, but then it can expand to the point where they start playing and wrestling with each other,” spokesperson Bill Thorn added. “A nice bonus as the socialization improves between the cats and they get more exercise as well.”

"A shelter is not a home, but we try our very, very best to make it as much like a home as possible," said Koch.

"This is just another way, another tool in our toolbox that allows us to keep our animals healthy and happy while they're awaiting their special someone who's going to take them home forever."

Watch the video below!

You can donate to the RHS here.

Related Story: Every time they go out, they now leave their kitty an iPad

via CBC News