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’ had irritable bowel syndrome, which which we are pleased to announce has resolved itself! She is an active and very happy little cat. Although very small for her age, 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!!

‘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!!

‘Meg’ also came from a feral colony. She is very stunted in her growth and we have had health worries with her over the past few months. She is quite timid with people they do not know, and although we have tried to rehome her, she has a nervous disposition that puts people off offering her a home, so she is also now a permanent resident.

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.

‘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 20 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, has moved in with Sheila and her husband after ‘Archie’ sadly had to be put to sleep due to an abdominal tumour and also another on his hip. ‘Archie’ had a very happy and contented year, it was sad he could not have had a lot longer. ‘Pumpkin’ has settled in really well and is enjoying all the TLC bestowed on her. She has gone from living outside as a stray for some considerable time to living in the lap of luxury, and it’s obvious which one she prefers!!!

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