Are there any CP fosterers here..?

[Therewere5inthebed]

I’ve done all my paperwork and references are back so i’m just waiting for the base to go down for my pen, I’m so excited and nervous too, please tell me about your experiences.

[chemenger]

I’m a fosterer but in the house rather than a pen. It’s really satisfying to see the cats go to lovely new homes. It is also quite sad, I just said good bye to two kittens, one of which was quite poorly when they came to me, I know they have a great home but I do miss them. My CP group are really good fun, we have a great laugh at meetings, rehoming days and online. They are very dedicated to the cats, it’s a lovely supportive community. Be prepared for some very sad situations- we recently had an elderly cat, both deaf and nearly blind, who was found sitting at the side of his elderly owner who had died. He has a lovely new home now. I’ve posted quite a lot about my fosters, I’ve had some characters!

[Therewere5inthebed]

We currently help socialise at our local branch after getting our much loved cat from there and it’s the sad stories that have moved me to want to help more.

The volunteers at our local branch are really super and I really feel like I’ve found my people.
The socialising is the hi-light of my week, lovely, like minded people and cats too.

[yellowDahlia]

OP what do you mean by 'socialising'? I would so love to be a fosterer for CP but DH won't entertain it .

My work is right beside a branch of CP and I used to pop in from time to time on a lunch break to time to say hello to the cats, but not in a formal/volunteer way - is that the same sort of thing as you have been doing?

I'm honestly gutted that we can't have a cat at home but if there was another way to help I would be interested to know. Also what's the set up with the pen? Is this an alternative to fostering in the home?

[wormery]

I was a cat cuddler for c.p. and have thought about fostering so am following this thread. I've heard they pay for everything, is that true and what happens if you go on holiday. I have a spare room but would be happy for KitKat to have full use of the house, is that allowed. I would happily take pregnant cats, nursing cats, elderly or hard to home.

[Vinorosso74]

I volunteer for CP (Cat Care rather than fosterer). Most centres need more volunteers (needs will vary from centre to centre) so contact them. My role does involve a lot of cleaning but I do chat to the cats/stroke them whilst cleaning the pens. I do get to spend time with them as well.

[Vinorosso74]

CP will provide you with all the basics as the cat is still under their care. If you have holiday planned let them know so they will make sure you don't have a cat a that time.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I was a cat cuddler for c.p.

How do I become a cat cuddler?!

[wormery]

Pink, best job in the world, although hardly a job I just went to the local cp rescue centre and they said they were looking for cuddlers/socialisers, it was also on their website under volunteer opportunities. I went in, got a key to the pens, cuddled them, sat on the floor with the shy ones, brushed them, referred any interested visitors to the staff, played with a few toys, washed my hands zillions of times then went home. They also had care assistants early morning who cleaned out the trays, fed and watered kitties and generally kept the pens tidy.

[Therewere5inthebed]

Pink I do exactly what Wormery said, we go one morning a week to groom and play with the cats and cuddle them if they like it, it stops them becoming institutionalised and gets them ready for their new home. It’s the hi-light of my week.

Yellow that’s exactly what we do, just give them a bit of company really.

CP do supply all of the basics within reason and I think it depends on your local set up as to whether they are happy to supply outdoor pens instead of indoor fostering, give your local branch a call and have a chat, I’m sure they’d be pleased with any offers of help.

I’ve got my home check being done in the next week and I’ve completed all of the online learning so as long as that goes ok hopefully I’ll have pens and cats within a few months.

[chemenger]

We also always need people who can help with fundraising and with doing home visits for prospective adopters as well as fosterer. My branch doesn’t have a shelter, it’s all fostering in homes, with a couple of people having pens in their gardens. We have an arrangement with a cattery if someone is on holiday, but usually you can work around. Some people have a special cat room, others let them have the run of their house. You can’t allow contact between foster cats and your own cats.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I thought about being a CP volunteer but don't know how to go about it. I'd love to be a cat cuddler!

[wormery]

toddler, is there a cp near you, if so just look up their website and go to the volunteer/help us page.

[chemenger]

Just to confirm, CP cover all expenses for fostering; food, litter, equipment, vet and travel costs.