A VOLUNTEER-RUN charity, which will celebrate over two decades of helping cats in July, is seeking fosterers for needy moggies and looking for committee members to spearhead the group.
Cats Protection’s Frome Branch has operated locally since 2000 and covers Frome, Warminster, Trowbridge, Westbury and surrounding areas. The branch meets as a group on the third Wednesday of each month at Frome Cricket Club and provides a range of support to cats and their owners. It rehomes unwanted and stray cats of all ages; operates a lost and found register; provides low-cost neutering for pet cats to those on a low income and gives feline-focused information and advice.
The branch is now in the rare position of not only being able to invite new volunteer fosterers join its ranks but also has space for new committee members.
Fosterers care for cats while they’re waiting to find their forever homes while committee members shape and govern the branch, providing guidance and support to all its volunteers and cats.
Area branch development manager Nicola Parry explains, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the branch to help even more cats locally and for people with strong leadership experience to safeguard the future of Cats Protection across Somerset and Wiltshire.
“The team has been supporting the area for many years and is looking to spread its wings a little further but can’t do it alone. That’s where new volunteer fosterers and committee members come in. Fostering allows cat-lovers to enjoy giving hands-on care to cats without the long-term responsibility of pet ownership. As a committee member you are part of the beating heart of the branch, ensuring it runs in line with the charity’s policies while also being a nurturing, warm place to volunteer and a safe haven for cats.”
Fosterers will be caring for cats in their own home until a new owner can be found. No special equipment is needed but cat fosterers do need to have a spare room, or in some cases the charity can provide a custom-built outdoor pen, where their foster cat can enjoy living safely in a home-from-home. It is also vital that fosterers have IT skills and internet access to enable them to keep details of their cat’s stay up to date. The branch takes in cats from all backgrounds and at all ages, meaning fosterers might be looking after a ‘senior kitizen’ first and then a mother with her new-born litter of kittens next.
A behind-the-scenes glimpse at being a fosterer can be found here http://bit.ly/BeingAFosterer and the charity provides everything needed to create the cats’ temporary home, from food, toys and litter to vet care.
Committee members traditionally attend at least three meetings a year and come from a variety of backgrounds. They support and champion the importance of welfare policies and good cat welfare with all branch volunteers and cover roles as diverse as treasurer, secretary, welfare team leader adoption team leader and fundraising team leader.
Nicola adds, “The branch volunteers are a friendly, welcoming group with a real love of helping local cats. It’s an exciting time to join, especially if you are able to share leadership expertise or offer your home to a moggie while it waits to meet its new family. Volunteering with the branch is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and be part of a truly dedicated group.”
To find out more about the branch visit www. cats.org.uk/frome or for more details about the current opportunities at the branch visit www.cats.org. uk/support-us/volunteeropportunities alternatively please call 07733 390 345 or email fromecp@ gmail.com.
