Urgent appeal for ‘foster carers’ for abandoned cats and kittens in Melksham

AN URGENT appeal has been launched for people to provide a loving home for abandoned cats and kittens.

Cats Action Trust North & West Wiltshire, based in Melksham, needs more support to cope with the number of unwanted animals.

The charity is looking for ‘foster carers’ who are willing to provide a safe and caring environment until new owners can be found. Over the last two years the charity has rescued more than 340 cats and kittens, successfully re-homing more than 300. Others stay with carers on a longer-term basis, especially older animals or those with health issues. Foster carers provide temporary accommodation for stray, abandoned or injured cats and kittens. They often use purpose-built pens in gardens, or adapted rooms indoors.

The charity covers all expenses and provides support from a network of local co-ordinators until a new home can be found. Trust chairperson Emma Lord said,“Fostering can be a wonderful way to make a positive difference to the lives of cats and kittens.

“We are looking for people who can feed, groom and socialise the animals while also treating them for any infections or helping them to recover from injuries. The charity supplies the pens, food and cat litter, as well as settling any veterinary bills, with support available from other local fosterers and volunteers.”

The Trust is looking for people with experience of cats and kittens as personal pets, together with good observation and communication skills. Carers would need to maintain accurate records of the animals in their care and keep the environment clean and any equipment in good condition. They could also receive training on how to conduct home checks for potential new owners, and would be invited to contribute photographs and captions for the Trust’s picture gallery of animals available for adoption. Emma said, “We want to find safe, secure and loving homes for as many cats and kittens as possible but we can only succeed thanks to the dedication and commitment of our local foster carers.”

“They take the animals to be checked by a veterinary surgeon, with blood tests to reduce the spread of contagious diseases and neutering to keep down the number of unwanted kittens. Our foster carers then provide unstinting love and attention until a potential new owner can be found.