Sponsor A Cat

We have several cats fostered out and although their new owners provide the day to day care, which includes the food, and if need be cat litter and usually the flea and worming preparations, we pay any Vet fees which may arise.

The cats are usually in advanced years e.g. 10 years or over, and the people who very kindly foster them for us on a permanent basis are usually retired and are unable to afford the cost of Veterinary treatment, but have a lot of love and devotion to give to a very special feline friend. They have usually had animals all their life, and are distressed to think they can no longer afford to share their home with a beloved pet. We find this scheme works very well but we do have a responsibility to provide the Veterinary treatment, and this obviously comes at a cost. To enable us to continue to help in this way we really need donations to help towards the cost of the cats who are permanently fostered out. We also have several cats now who we have found to be unhomable, either because they have a medical problem or are very nervous, so they stay with us on a permanent basis, and again we continue to provide everything they need. All have a very good quality of life, and live alongside my cats quite happily.

I will now tell you more about some of these rather special felines:

‘Tia’ was born in a feral colony last summer. ‘Tia’ has irritable bowel syndrome, which may improve in the future, but only time will tell. At present she is on daily medication, which helps to control the symptoms, and apart from that she is an active and very happy little cat. She is very small for her age, but she has an enormous personality!!

‘Ben’ approx: 8 years old has megacolon. We do not know if it was caused by a previous accident, but he came to us with the problem. Initially he had very intensive treatment at the Vets but we are now able to manage the problem very well with daily medication. ‘Ben’ thinks everyone who comes to the house has come specifically to see him; in fact they can go no further until they have spent enough time making a fuss of him!!

‘Willow’ is 17 years old in April. She came back to us as her owner went into residential care. They had ‘Willow’ for many years, so it is very sad that they could not have lived out their life together. ‘Willow’ is on supportive treatment for her kidneys and she is at present eating well and still enjoying life. We will not be rehoming her; she will live out her remaining life with us, which is also what her owners wanted us to do.

‘Smudge’ was feral when she came to us, and is still very nervous of people she does not know. We have not been able to rehome her because of this, so she will stay with us as a permanent resident. ‘Smudge’ does not have any medical problems thankfully, and she has settled well with the other cats, and living outside is definitely past history, she is far too keen on her home comforts now!!

‘Misty’ and ‘Meg’ also came from a feral colony. They are very stunted in their growth and we have had health worries with them over the past few months. They are quite timid with people they do not know, and although we have tried to rehome them, their nervous disposition has put people off offering them a home, so they too are now permanent residents.

I will now tell you about the cats we have permanently fostered out.

Bernadette has had three older cats from us over the past few years, and she has been fantastic with each of them. They have been great company for her and it all works really well. ‘Rosie’ will be 14 this year and she has been living with Bernadette for nearly 3 years now. ‘Rosie’ is on a prescribed diet as she had a problem with crystals in the bladder, and although she needed intensive treatment initially she is now stabilized on the special diet with no reoccurrence thankfully. We provide ‘Rosie’s’ prescribed diet and any Veterinary care she might need. Last year all she needed was a dental and of course her annual booster vaccinations and flea/worm treatments.

‘Archie’ is approx: 13 years old and has been in his new home since June ’08. His new owners did not think they would be able to have another cat, as they felt they would not be able to afford the Vet fees. They have had cats all their life, so when we told them about our scheme they were really happy to offer one of our older cats a home. ‘Archie’ is so happy with them, and they with him, so another very happy ending. So far ‘Archie’ has had dental treatment and vaccinations provided by us, the new owners provide his food, litter flea and wormers.

‘Huggy Bear’ is approximately 13 and has been living with Olive since the end of last year. His sight is pretty poor, and his hearing isn’t up to much either! He is a house cat now, although he may want to potter in Olive’s garden during the summer, as it is completely enclosed. He had a chronic skin condition when he came to us; in fact he was in an awful mess generally. He will probably need intermittent treatment for his skin, and so far he has also had dental treatment. He has really fallen on all four paws now, and just loves to sit on his ‘Mum’s’ lap and just adores all the attention. The saddest thing is that it has taken so long for this poor chap to be truly loved, as going on his past no one has ever really cared.

‘Tiddles’ is 13 this year and he has been living with Sheila since summer ’08. His original owner had passed away and he was desperate to find another quiet home. Sheila, as so many others, has had animals all her life, but the reality of the actual expense again prevented her from sharing her home with a beloved pet. We have changed all that, and both are very happy with the arrangement! ‘Tiddles’ received dental treatment last year and we will provide any necessary treatments as well as his booster vaccinations.

‘Purdy’ 12 years old has been living with Margaret since July ’07. She did have a chronic skin condition, but this doesn’t seem to have been a problem since Margaret has had her. We will though still help with any Veterinary fees if they arise.

‘Esme’ will be 16 this year, and Corinne, who also takes some of our older cats, is permanently fostering her. ‘Esme’ needed dental, flea and worm treatment almost as soon as she arrived, but is now flourishing!! She has settled well with Corinne’s other cats ( all rescues! ) although her language sometimes leaves a lot to be desired!! ‘Esme’ has been pushed from pillar to post over the last few years apparently, but this will be her last move. A home for life. We will be supporting Corinne with any Veterinary treatment needed.

‘Annie’ will be 19 this year. Jean sadly passed away recently, so ‘Annie’ came back to us when her ‘Mum’ went into hospital. Jean had ‘Annie’ from us 8 years ago and she worshipped the ground she walked on. ‘Annie’ had bloods taken to access her health status and then some simple dental work. Her only complaint was that she had to wait till teatime for her breakfast and lunch!! We are very grateful to Sue and Malcolm for taking dear ‘Annie’ into their hearts and their home, on a permanent fostering basis, so she can live out her natural life in the comfort she has become accustomed to. We will pay for any Veterinary treatment ‘Annie’ may need in the future, and her new Mum and Dad will provide the food, flea and worm treatments and oodles of TLC.

‘Pumpkin’ approx: 9 years old is being fostered by Pat, and she would very much like to keep her, but again the expense poses a problem. We are sincerely hoping we can add ‘Pumpkin’ to our scheme so we are able to provide any Veterinary treatments, while Pat provides all the tender loving care.

All but two of these very special owners are retired, and luckily do not go on holiday very often, if at all. We try to house the cats for them if they go away or have a hospital stay, rather than have the added expense of a cattery.

If you feel you would like to donate to this scheme or would like to speak to me further about it then please contact me by phone: 01983 521778