Have you ever wondered what volunteering in a cat rescue shelter is really like? In the last article by More Purrs, we explored various ways to help animal rescue shelters for free! Of course, monetary donations enable charities to survive but there are so many more ways you can help if you don’t have spare money to donate.
One of the most rewarding things you can do is to volunteer some of your spare time. We all have different skills and abilities which, combined with a sprinkling of compassion and enthusiasm can make a huge difference (to your life too, not only to the cats!)
So, whether you think you could help at fundraising events, support retail operations, take on some administration, knit, crochet, make things to sell, get involved in educating others, transport animals, foster cats or help with socialisation – your contributions will all add huge value where it matters. In this article Rebekah Cawley, Animal Welfare Student from Solihull College & University Centre talks passionately about her experience volunteering at the Solihull Blue Cross Cattery.
My First Day…
I first entered the Blue Cross Cattery at Solihull College in October 2018. I remember my first day in there really clearly. I was nervous as I had never worked with cats before, let alone had much experience with them. I grew up with dogs and only recently have people in my family adopted cats (I have birds!)
This is the day I met Nadia, now owner of More Purrs. Nadia was ever so welcoming and really bought cats into my heart – kitty cats as I call them. On my first day, Nadia showed me the basics which included cleaning litter trays, sweeping, tidying, and mopping each enclosure. I sat with some kittens and played with them; this is when I realised that I actually really liked… loved cats. They were ever so sweet and playful.
After a few months…
Over time I became really passionate about cats, especially the ones in the Cattery as they were there for reasons beyond their control. Some had been mistreated, others were stray or needed to be rehomed because their owner had passed away or had to relocate… so many reasons really.
Each cat that came in had a story; some were hard to hear, but the care that we all put in for them was purely from the heart. They are all individuals with a very special character, no one cat is the same. It was hard to see some who came in looking worse for wear, but it was so lovely seeing them recover and getting to know each and every one of them, that I worked with.
After a few months I became more and more confident with cats and the high standard of care that was required. Me and Nadia every Saturday came up with a plan to get all 10 enclosures cleaned and tidied. I would do 5 and she also did 5 – we referred to it as room service and took pride in doing the best job we could!
It was so satisfying and fulfilling to work with each and every cat, even those with challenging behaviours.
A typical day
We would start the day by reading the diary to update ourselves on important notes from others who worked in the cattery. We then checked each cat to make sure they were well and content before getting their morning feed. Once we had dished out their breakfast and any required medication, we would start the cleaning. This involved checking all bedding thoroughly to make sure it was not dirty or wet, we would shake it too, making sure there was no build-up of hair or bits on the bedding.
We would sweep, mop, and tidy each enclosure. The litter trays were cleaned, and observational notes for each cat were filled out every day. After lunch we would give them their afternoon feed and any medication that needed to be given. We would vacuum the hallway, sweep the kitchen, and tidy the whole place. We would clean litter trays again if needed and spend time socialising with the cats – this was the best time of the day!
Before leaving we made sure each cat was warm, safe and snuggly.
My happy place
Working in the Cattery was my happy place, it bought me so much joy being able to sit and play with the cats. I would see many cats come and go. As a student, I was not able to carry out rehoming visits, but I learnt a lot by observing. I mainly cleaned and played with the cats… I also helped new students to learn the ropes!
It was amazing to see the cats being rehomed to lovely people and lovely to think of them in their new homes soaking up all the love and not being alone anymore. Even though cats are independent it’s just the thought of them being safe and loved unconditionally.
I have cherished my time at the Cattery and have so many fond memories, especially of Ghost, O’Malley, Spooks, Brian, David, Luke Skywhiskers, Austin, Polly, Grace with the seven beautiful black kittens and so many more, I really could go on and on.
The future
After many months of work experience, I chose to continue spending my time in the cattery and became an official Blue Cross Volunteer!
Now, following 3 years of studying Animal Welfare at Solihull College and University Centre I am planning to study Zoology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Once I’ve settled in, I hope to find a local rescue cattery to continue volunteering.
Why should you volunteer?
It’s amazing to feel the satisfaction after a day’s work at the Cattery, it’s something you don’t feel in other work environments. Mental health wise I really felt the benefits from being with the cats, it’s something about caring for them.
Taking one day out of the week to volunteer at a Cattery was the best day of the week for me! It really was my happy place… no two days are the same!
It is heart-warming to know that I played an important part of looking after each cat during their time of need. I often think about the cats I’ve cared for and how much I enjoyed working with them.
As the saying goes, time with cats is never wasted.
Visit this page next to see how you can Volunteer with Blue Cross or contact your nearest cat rescue shelter today!
