In October, actually on our Anniversary the 31st of October 2021, I officially (and finally!) got to start my volunteer placement at Cats Protection. I originally applied to volunteer in 2019, had my phone interviews etc and had a meeting booked to go into the centre in February 2020. We all know what happened then... Thankfully I was very lucky to hear back in September 2021 and although I hadn't left my house for over a year and a half at that point, I pushed myself to do this because it was such a special opportunity.
My title is technically Cat Desensitization Volunteer and as of the start of this year, I have also been running our centre's Instagram. Once a week I get to go in and spend a few hours with the cats. I hug those that want to be hugged, play with those who want to play and just sit with those who may have some trauma or are timid to help 'desensitize' them and give them company.
While in I also take photos and videos to use on the Instagram and/or website. Obviously, they also feature in my daily photo project as I want to remember every single cat I have the pleasure of meeting and loving. I did and didn't want to share the photos here but have decided that I'm going to share them with a 6-month delay as by that time they will all be re-homed and most have had their names changed etc.
This is purely for my own memories, as with everything on this blog but I'm sure people won't mind getting to see photos of cute cats...?
Stella
Jasmine and Sasha
Bob
Bell and Mya
Sooty
Susie
George & Mildred (was Bell and Mya)
Widget
Leo
Tiggy
Eggy
Mocha
Milo and Star
Squeaky
Karamel and Bustopher
Tobias
Minnie
Sausage
Geronimo
Dylan
Tamara
Florence
Delphi
Katie and Sophie
Stripe
Humbug
Gillan
Minnie
Alice
Mildred and George
---
At this point in time, I had started to go in twice a week to the centre and help with some admin work, adding cats to the website and making videos for the YouTube channel. So that being said, some of these photos were taken on my DSLR - with the cats who were confident enough.
You may see a few faces popping up regularly and those were longer staying residents usually. George and Mildred completely stole my heart and I really felt they were meant to be my cats. I adored them and I feel like they loved me too with both of them enjoying grooming me and George (who had a deformity of his feet) liked to climb up and sit on my shoulders. If I wasn't already Mam to 10 I would have applied to adopt them for sure.
Sasha and Jasmine were another pair who I got some great satisfaction out of seeing their progress from very, very timid girls to starting to trust so much more before they found their home.
I tell each and every cat ' I love you' when I leave and my heart always breaks to close the door behind me whether they are sitting cosy in their hide or clawing and meowing at the glass. This volunteer placement has become a huge part of my life and part of my weekly routine. I can't wait to continue my journey with Cats Protection and urge you to check out your local centre!
Pop on over to Cats Protection | UK’s Largest Cat Welfare Charity to find the centre closest to you. Donate, shop online, buy from the centres' Amazon wishlist and most importantly ADOPT DON'T SHOP!!! Oh, and spay and neuter you're bloomin' pets. Rescue centres all over the country are really struggling right now and they all need your support. Thanks!
Check out lots more cute cats in the previous post in this series here > Cats I Met in November & December
You may see a few faces popping up regularly and those were longer staying residents usually. George and Mildred completely stole my heart and I really felt they were meant to be my cats. I adored them and I feel like they loved me too with both of them enjoying grooming me and George (who had a deformity of his feet) liked to climb up and sit on my shoulders. If I wasn't already Mam to 10 I would have applied to adopt them for sure.
Sasha and Jasmine were another pair who I got some great satisfaction out of seeing their progress from very, very timid girls to starting to trust so much more before they found their home.
I tell each and every cat ' I love you' when I leave and my heart always breaks to close the door behind me whether they are sitting cosy in their hide or clawing and meowing at the glass. This volunteer placement has become a huge part of my life and part of my weekly routine. I can't wait to continue my journey with Cats Protection and urge you to check out your local centre!
Pop on over to Cats Protection | UK’s Largest Cat Welfare Charity to find the centre closest to you. Donate, shop online, buy from the centres' Amazon wishlist and most importantly ADOPT DON'T SHOP!!! Oh, and spay and neuter you're bloomin' pets. Rescue centres all over the country are really struggling right now and they all need your support. Thanks!
Check out lots more cute cats in the previous post in this series here > Cats I Met in November & December
No comments:
Post a Comment