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    • 15 Oct, 2024

    Confessions of a Cat Foster Carer

    An insight into what it’s like to be a Foster Volunteer at Mayhew, from James: 

    “I first went onto the Mayhew web    site thinking about adopting a cat, but unsure whether I wanted a long term commitment to care as my previous kitty lived until she was 20.

    I’ve recently found myself living alone following a bereavement, and will be moving house in the near future once affairs have been settled;  so was apprehensive to adopt when there’s so much uncertainty in my life, and didn’t want to subject a cat to the same disruption.

    As soon as I saw the page for Mayhew’s foster scheme, I knew it was for me. I could have look after cats until my situation is more settled, and then hopefully adopt. I guess you could say I entered the scheme with mostly my own well-being in mind. I knew I would benefit from the companionship of a cat and didn’t really even consider it to be “voluntary work” as looking after cats is such a joy to me.

    The first cat I fostered was Star. A beautiful one year old girl who brought a huge amount of energy and life into my home. Looking after her was amazing, and having her in my home for half of the summer meant I got to know her really well and was able to describe her quirks and traits accurately so prospective owners would have a really good idea of her personality.

    She was eventually adopted by a lovely couple who came all the way from the south coast. They wanted a cat who’d offer a lot of interactivity, and told me they’d searched locally, and didn’t find any that matched, and it my my description of her unlimited play-drive and her love for warm laps that made them travel all that way for their perfect match.

    I took a short holiday and went back to Mayhew the very next day after I returned. Star was supposed to be an easy cat for beginner fosterers.. but this time I said “give me the cat most in need of help” – so I was presented with Princess She-Ra. 12 years old, and clearly very grumpy about being abandoned and spending a month in the shelter. Most unbefitting for a member of the royal family of Eternia!

    They said she was sassy, and might hit me, but within a couple of days she showed her true colours as an extremely relaxed and sociable lady, always wanting to be in the same room as me, either sleeping quietly on her favourite chair, or relaxing on the floor, striking poses like she wants to be painted like one of Leonardo’s french girls.

    An elegant and dignified lady, the complete opposite personality to the lunatic Star, yet she has just as much joy to look after. All of my friends who have spent sufficient time with her have been charmed by her.

    I’m hopeful she will find her perfect match soon, and then I expect I’ll be back at Mayhew asking who else needs my care. It’s such a wonderful scheme and I can wholeheartedly recommend fostering to anyone who wants to look after a cat but isn’t at a place in their life where they’re comfortable to adopt.

    People ask me if I’m sad to give them up… and the answer is always yes, but the satisfaction of knowing they’ve gone to a loving home – especially if it’s a cat that doesn’t present well for adoption straight out of the shelter…. that satisfaction is vastly greater than any short term sadness (plus I can go get another kitty from Mayhew the same day!).”

    If this story has inspired you to volunteer with us, we’d love to have you! Please visit https://themayhew.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/ to find out more.

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