Cat Protection charity calls for new feline foster carers after news of SSPCA rescue home closure
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The Caithness branch of a national cat charity says its search for more feline foster homes has become more urgent due to the imminent closure of the local Scottish SPCA centre.
The rescue and rehoming centre at Balmore, near Reay, is due to close at the end of next month, but the SSPCA says it will have an even bigger presence in the community with more outreach workers.
However, Cats Protection's Caithness branch said it was now looking to recruit volunteers fosterers to care for unwanted and abandoned cats while they wait to find a new owner.
It says that fostering is hands-on cat welfare work, looking after felines on a short-term basis, either in cat pens provided by the charity or in a spare room in the home.
The branch, which is run entirely by volunteers, needs people who can offer a temporary home to one or more cats whilst they get back on their paws.
“Cat fosterers play a vital role in our charity by caring for cats in their own home until a new owner can be found,” said Deirdre Campbell, the branch coordinator who is also one of the current fosterers.
“Our need for more fosterers has become more urgent in light of the forthcoming closure of our local SSPCA centre, but please be assured that Caithness Cats Protection will do its very best to continue to help all cats and owners who need our assistance. You could be part of this ongoing support."
Cat fosterers need to have either a spare room or an area in their garden where a 4m x 1.2m (13ft x 4ft) cat pen can be housed. The charity will provide assistance, training and all required support materials for new fosterers.
“Offering a temporary home to a cat in need can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and becoming a volunteer for Cats Protection is a great way to meet new friends – both human and feline.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and the Caithness branch is part of the charity’s nationwide network of around 230 volunteer-run branches and 37 centres that together help around 200,000 cats and kittens each year.
As well as finding new homes for unwanted and abandoned cats, the charity also offers cat care advice to the public and can help towards the cost of neutering.
Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer for Cats Protection’s Caithness branch is asked to email enquiries@caithness.cats.org.uk or message via the Facebook page.
