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I love Cats (obviously, I have four), but what actually prompted me to volunteer was my Gramps.
He was also a cat lover (the big cats included) and he sponsored, adopted and donated throughout his life to the welfare of animals and to Cats Protection specifically. He passed away last year and I felt like the cats had missed out to be honest, so I originally started to try and fill the gap he left (if that makes sense?). As a young family we don’t have a lot of money to donate, and with four cats of our own (meet them here) we weren’t able to adopt anymore so I thought the best way I could help would be to donate my time instead.
When did I start?
I started in January 2015 and have over 62 hours under my belt so far (which is a lot less than some of the others on the team!)
What do I do ?
I work on the phone and email helpline – so when you call or email in you might speak to me (sorry :p) – I answer queries, questions and offer advice, support and help to those with cats, looking to adopt or in some instances give up their cat.
I have donated … hours so far and although I have had to cut my phone hours down recently due to other commitments I still volunteer on weekends when I can. I will continue to offer as much time and support as I am able because it is such a great organisation. If you want to learn more about them, you can visit their website here.
The Bad Bits
Giving up of cats – It’s hard to help arrange the giving up of animals when there are so many looking for homes, luckily Cats Protection don’t put healthy animals down but it can be difficult knowing there is another animal who’s going to be looking for their forever home again.
Injured cats – As a re-homing charity Cats Protection doesn’t have the resources to also provide emergency veterinary assistance, and because not many people know this we get phone calls about sick and injured animals that just mean that we can’t help, we have to direct them elsewhere and not being able to help is the worse part.
There are hundreds of cats out there needing homes or to be rescued and it is difficult knowing that we can’t always reach them all, but focusing on all the positives and help that we’ve provided over shadows all the bad bits 🙂 so..
The Good Bits
There are a lot of great things about working for Cats Protection
The support – it’s a great network of people and volunteers who are all working towards the same thing and we all support one another! – also I can post all the cute cat videos and pictures to them without my friends getting annoyed :p
Helping people too– Providing advice to cat owners to help them understand what is happening with their cats can make a stressful home situation a lot better – ultimately it stops cats being given up, but it is great to start a conversation with someone stressed, concerned and feeling like giving up their cat is the only option and then you manage to give them advice which changes their mind and helps them.
Getting the low down on all things cats – For example did you know that you can register under the Cat Guardianship scheme to have your cat cared for in the event you pass away (kind of like cat custody arrangements) or that if you provide indoor cats with trays of grass it will make their environment more stimulating and help them digest their food better (I’ve learned loads of these little tid-bits)
The Adoptions – Helping hopeful people find branches and answer their questions about adopting a cat so they decide it is for them, means one more cat finds its forever home!
Ultimately I enjoy feeling like I am helping in some way or another and as one of my favorite animals, I like to know they are cared for and help others care for their cats.
How can you volunteer?
There are opportunities for everyone – working from home, fundraising, support, branches and adoption centres there is something for everyone.
Checkout the latest volunteering opportunities here.
Or find your nearest Cats Protection to find out how you can help them.
*if you want to support cats protection in a different way, you can find out how here.*
This is day 2 of #CatWeek, for the other days click here.*
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23 comments on “A Volunteers View of Cats Protection”
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Hi Charlotte, I would like to reach out and let you know that this article is an inspiration. Personally, I would advocate (whenever there’s a chance) that people who are capable to work and earn good money should continue doing it, not juts for their own sake or their families. I believe the higher purpose of us all is to work for other beings who needs our help. And thank you for highlighting that money is not the only way to contribute. Time is equally important as well.
Its so obvious that you love your cats but its nice that you can use your love to help others too
I used to volunteer for Cats Protection. I currently have two cats from them as well as another two.
I adore cats and for that very reason couldnt volunteers, I would be bringing them all home x
How brilliant that you volunteer to help cats! I love them so much, we have two now, sadly one lovely guy had to be put to sleep a couple of years ago but the two remaining are such sweeties. I think what you are doing is just fabulous, x
Wow such a cool volunteer job to have.. must be so rewarding and heartbreaking at times thou hun :). Good on you 🙂 xx
Thats wonderful that you do this type of volunteer work. I would not be strong enough to do it and would end up with 50 cats
Well done you, I wish I had a bit more time to volunteer at something like this. I tend to help out at school though so that is where my volunteering hours are spent
It must be very rewarding to see cats rehomed, i think any neglect would really upset me though
It’s sad to think of a home without a cat, or a cat without a home. You’re clearly doing your bit to help out – above and beyond. Thanks for the info about adopting cats. I may just look into it. 🙂
You’re doing good and admirable work there. I am not a big fun of cats and mostly I am scared of taking care of them but I am loving your support as a volunteer
All your kitties are adorable, Phoneix, Pablo, Diablo, Lucky such characters. It is lovely of you to finish what your gramps started!
What a great thing to do and very admirable. Have a lot of respect for anyone who volunteers so well done.
I bet it is so rewarding to help people. I would become too distressed if I couldn’t help the cats x
It is so lovely that you give up some of your time to help out! It makes me sad that there are so many unwanted cats looking for homes!
I love cats and we have 4 although Foggy spends more time away than here, bad boy! Well done for helping the charity and I do love the idea of the Cat Guardianship. I always pop into the Cats Protection shop when I am in Minehead and it has brought me many a good buy 😉 Thanks for adding your feline post to #AnimalTales.
what a lovely organisation to be involved with, i love the scheme for adopting cats after the owner has passed
Every respect for you, the injured cats would break my heart #AnimalTales
This is so lovely I had to share!
Popped over from #ShowcaseTuesday and so glad I did! 🙂
Hope this day is treating you well. 🙂
Thank you so much : ) x
Your passion for cats is obvious in your post so I imagine this is very rewarding for you 🙂 It’s such a shame when people give up their pets. #ShowcaseTuesday
Debbie
It is very admiral that you volunteer your time to animals in need and Cats Protection sounds like a wonderful organisation.
Thank you for sharing this in #ShowcaseTuesday