Cat protection charity calls for fosterers and volunteers

More cat fosterers and volunteers are needed to join a local cat protection charity to provide loving care for cats in need.

Cats Protection Frome is urging for additional cat fosterers and fundraising or event volunteers to come on board to provide more temporary homes for cats, and help generate funds needed to look after those cats.

Covering Frome, Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge and the surrounding areas the volunteer-run branch of the national cat charity has found new homes for almost 300 cats in the past three years and helped many more through its lost-and-found work, neutering voucher provision and information and advice.

“To help us reach more cats, we would love to hear from anyone who can either help with hands-on cat-care, join us for events or share their fundraising skills,” explained area branch development manager, Nicola Parry. “We are also keen to hear from local businesses who might like to volunteer or fundraise for us.”      

Next year, Cats Protection celebrates its 25th year and Nicola says that in this ‘remarkable’ amount of time, volunteers have helped to transform the lives of thousands of cats.

“Volunteer fosterers care for unwanted cats in their own home until a new owner can be found,” says Nicola. “No special equipment is needed but cat fosterers do need to have a spare room where their foster cat can enjoy living safely in a home-from-home. Fosterers need to have IT skills and internet access to enable them to keep details of their cat’s stay up to date.

“Fosterers take care of the cat’s day-to-day needs including feeding, changing their litter trays, cleaning their living space, making sure they have fresh water, socialising them, grooming them, taking them to vet appointments as well as ensuring they receive any medication.

“Fosterers are in the unique position of being able to provide the charity with pictures and information about the cat to help match them with the perfect home. They also receive pre-booked visits from potential adopters wishing to meet the cat and find out more about them.

“It is a lovely opportunity to enjoy the company of cats without the long-term responsibility of pet ownership. We take in cats from all backgrounds and at all ages, meaning fosterers might be looking after a mother with her new-born litter of kittens first then a more mature moggy next.”

Fundraisers can help in a variety of ways from building online support for appeals to hosting bake sales and joining community events. They work alongside events volunteers who will be taking part in seasonal fairs and markets, sharing information about the charity and selling a range of new and donated goods as well as cat-themed gifts and Christmas cards.

One of the cats who has benefitted from funds raised and being in foster care with Cats Protection Frome is friendly Morticia, who arrived heavily pregnant having been found as a stray with no microchip to help the volunteers find an owner.

Nicola said, “She went on to have five healthy kittens, four boys who have been named Merlin, Dexter, Cedric and Sylvester and a girl named Tigerlily. They are all thriving, with Morticia receiving extra support with her kittens from their fosterer as needed. Like all Cats Protection cats, once the kittens have been weaned and are old enough the family will be fully vet-checked, neutered, microchipped and given vaccines and parasite treatments before being found new homes.”

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 enquiries@frome.cats.org.uk

More information about fostering can be found at www.cats.org.uk/foster-a-cat. The charity provides everything needed to create a temporary home for the cats, from food, toys and litter to vet care.

Photos by Cats Protection