Fostering
We believe that every cat that comes in to the shelter deserves the chance of a loving new home. Sadly, many cats that come to us are in a poor state of health and it may be many months before they are well enough to move permanently to a new home. We will not put a cat to sleep if we believe that it has a chance of recovery or of living a comfortable life, despite its illness. We therefore look for very special homes where the cat will benefit from lots of love and comfort, whilst the Charity remains responsible for continuing to provide the medical treatment it needs. We have had many successful stories where cats have subsequently been adopted by their carers, as their health has improved to the point where we can adopt them out (see Arthur's Tale on our adopted letters page for one such success story). However, if they need to remain under our care, we will provide whatever treatment they need for the rest of their life.
It is not always about taking on older or unwell cats, we also regularly need short-term fosterers for groups of kittens that would benefit from being socialised in a home setting.
To give you a taster of the great reward that fostering can bring, please read our lovely stories below. If you think you would be interested in fostering cats or kittens for us, please ring the warden on 0114 2724441 and we will be able to tell you who is waiting for that special person to come along.
SWEEP
Sweep has been on foster for some months now. He was in a terrible state when he arrived with us and needed a great deal of veterinary attention before we could consider finding a new home for him. Fortunately he was spotted by one of our supporters who offered to take him into his home on foster. Despite his poor start, Sweep is now thriving and is seen regularly by the vet and staff to ensure that he receives everything he needs to keep him fit and well. Here is a note from Sweep's foster carer about fostering:
Try fostering, it can be fun. You can give a cat a second chance, if you have time and love to give.
I have been a foster human for some months now and the difference I have seen in Sweep is great. For a cat that hid under the bed for the first 2 weeks and would only come out for food, he has come on amazingly. Speaking from personal experience, fostering is great. Sweep’s story was a sad one, he was in such a terrible state when he arrived at the Shelter, but he is coming on in leaps and bounds with a little love and attention, and he gives so much back.
Fostering a cat frees up a place for another poor cat that desperately needs taking in at the shelter. My advice to you is, try it!
From Sweep’s foster human.
FRANCES - FOSTERED DECEMBER 2009
Frances is a 15 year old, blind and partially deaf cat that made her way into our care earlier this year. The initial outlook for her was grim, she was very underweight and had stopped grooming herself, a sure sign that she had given up. She also had high blood pressure, that was causing her blindness. After weeks of loving care, treatment and a special diet, she soon started to regain her weight and her character started to shine through. She is a total chatterbox and just wants to find a lap and have a cuddle. She purrs like a train!
It wasn't long before this beautiful little soul caught the eye of a friend of the Charity who is currently looking another of our special cats (Sweep) and we were delighted when Frances was offered a home. Apparently her blindness doesn't stop her finding her way around her new home and her feline friends have accepted her into their home.
What a wonderful story after such a bleak start with us. We would like to offer special thanks to her fosterer and we look forward to hearing how she is getting on.
Tiger (Fostered August 2007)
We were drawn to Tiger when we visited the shelter but were unsure about adoption as he was at least 15 years old and had a longterm medical condition. However, we were told about the new fostering scheme for cats like Tiger so in August 2007 he came to live with us. He is an extremely affectionate and wellbehaved cat and we love him very much. His favourite pastime is being stroked whilst sitting on a lap followed by sleeping, preferably by the fire. The Riley Family.
Jimmy (Formerly Timmy)
Timmy, a 12 year old ginger boy, arrived at the shelter with very sore gums. He had 9 teeth extracted but the gums remained sore due to feline gingivostomatitis. He received steroid injections to reduce the inflammation in his gums, but these were not effective. We sought a foster home for Jimmy to enable us to continue looking after his gums in the future. Jimmy was fostered in February this year. His gums are not causing him any problems at the moment. He eats well and is leading a happy, healthy life - just look at the wonderful time he is having, with special thanks to his fosterer Ruth. x.
AN UPDATE ON JIMMY
Jimmy is in very good health and is pretty active, eating anything he can get hold of and telling us all about it very loudly. He recently had a bit of a scuffle with the next door cat and a bit later I saw a tuft of his fur near the door and pointed at it and he gave me a full action replay. Ferocious growls, lashing of tail, caterwauling I was left in no doubt that it had been a most serious incident and he’d been very brave.
I’ve never known such a vocal cat he cheeps and chirrups when he’s not purring or yelling and I’ve been sworn at because the sun has gone in several times.
Ruth
Tomy
My name is Tomy and I was fostered from the shelter in febuary 2008, I'm sure all the staff still remember me. I was suffering from feline gingivostomatitis when I arrived at the shelter. This is a severe and painful inflammation of the gums. I had all my teeth removed to help control the inflammation and am now on steriod tablets to help control the gingivostomatitis and to help promote hair growth since my fur started thinning at the beginning of the year.
Since being in my foster home I have settled in very well and I am very much the boss of the house. I like the other cats I live with, we get up to all kinds of mischief together and enjoy waking our owners up at 5am for our breakfast. Im not so keen on the dog that lives here, but he knows to stay out of my way. I have many favourite sleeping places around the house as this is my favourite past time. I love being the centre of attention and could sit on my owners lap for hours. Thankyou sheffield cat shelter for taking care of me and hope you enjoy the pictures of my in my new home. Tomy :)