Cats Protection would like to hear from cat lovers who would like to volunteer their time as fosterers for its Chiltern Branch.

Five roles are available and fosterers can look forward to hands-on cat care while they look after felines on a short-term basis, either in cat pens in their garden or a spare room in their home, while the cats get back on their paws.

Veterinary experience is not needed and Cats Protection provides all a fosterer needs, from litter and food to toys, vet bills and, if needed, an outdoor cat-pen. Foster cats must not go outside so a house or flat without a garden is not a barrier to fostering.

Anyone wishing to foster who already has a cat is very welcome, providing the foster cat can be kept in an area securely away from the owned cat; this ensures the safety and health of both the foster cat and the fosterer’s cats.

Briony Martin, Cats Protection’s Area Branch Development Manager, says: “Fosterers create a loving temporary home for cats and kittens who come into our care while we get to know them and match them with a new owner.

“We provide help, support and training to ensure the welfare of both cats and fosterers from the outset. We never ask a fosterer to care for a cat with which they do not feel comfortable and work with our fosterers to ensure it is an enjoyable, fulfilling experience. Becoming a volunteer is also a great way to meet new friends – both human and feline.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps around 200,000 cats and kittens each year through a national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches, 110 shops and 36 centres.

Anyone interested in the volunteer roles should email bsuee@cats.org.uk or call Cats Protection’s National Information Line on 03000 12 12 12 for more information.

A leaflet about fostering can be downloaded from bit.ly/CatFosterLeaflet

There are many volunteering opportunities available, all which can be found here.

~ Ends ~

For media enquiries please email media.office@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741 911.