The CatRescue team was very supportive from the outset, allowing me to gradually build my skills and confidence by placing healthier adult cats with me before I cared for the more traumatised and sick cats or very young kittens. The CatRescue team and their preferred veterinarians have always been available for me when needed, to provide advice and appointments, and cover any associated costs. We provide food, toys and transport for the cats we look after and give them all the love and care they need. It is such a rewarding process, and such a worthwhile cause I can’t imagine my life without the little visitors we continuously have staying at our home.

I often joke that our house is the ‘Hotel de Cats’ as we have a regular turnover of cats and kittens, sometimes the house is full with existing and urgent placements or a litter of 4 kittens, other times it may be quieter with just one cat. It’s never dull, and it’s always a joy to return home to furry little cuddles and wet noses.

Both my partner and I work full time and we both study part time. We are able to go away for weekends as CatRescue will always organise to board the cats or look after them for a few days. The more adventurous cats we sometimes take with us to stay with family at Christmas and for holidays.

I view each cat or kitten that is placed with us as an individual little personality to discover and nurture. Many of the cats we care for come directly from the pounds, or are found as strays or abandoned. They can often be sick, malnourished and non-trusting of humans, or conversely they may be bursting with affection and simply craving of your attention. Getting to know each personality is such a joy! Watching them learn to trust, giving them a routine and yes – sharing your bed – is a unique experience with each cat. Finding a name for each cat or kitten can be a lot of fun, as is capturing their personality in a photo and placing their description on the website for adoption.

People always ask me how hard it is to let my foster cats go when they are adopted. The truth is it’s a sad goodbye each time, but ultimately it’s what the CatRescue team work for – to know that each cat or kitten is going to a permanent, safe and caring home. Besides, the house is never quiet for long and the process starts again….a new little furry friend to meet and care for. Fostering through CatRescue has been a fantastic and rewarding experience and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves animals and wants to help save precious little lives.