Volunteer Profiles: An Interview with Fostering Volunteer, Sara May
Whilst many people profess an interest in fostering a cat for Catcuddles, in reality, finding reliable, long-term fostering volunteers poses a constant challenge for the charity. Foster carers must be committed, resourceful, willing to learn on the job, and selfless enough to say goodbye to cats that they’ve loved and cared for.
After joining the Catcuddles team in February 2020, Sara May has proven herself to be all of the above. Along with her hamster, Tofu, she has approached the task of fostering with both an open mind and a big heart, welcoming a steady succession of needy cats into her home during the Covid-19 pandemic. We asked her to share her experiences of fostering for Catcuddles in a recent interview.
In spite of suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, on September 25th, Sara has also committed to walk 50 KM in the Chilterns to raise funds for Catcuddles. You can sponsor her here.
What inspired you to start fostering for Catcuddles?
I wasn't ready to commit to my own forever cat or dog, but I love animals and I've also been keen on supporting causes related to animals, so I looked into fostering. I did a Google search and found Catcuddles and got in contact, and the rest is history.
Has fostering differed from your expectations, and if so, how?
Only that it's more rewarding than I could have imagined. I was nervous about saying goodbye to my first foster cat, because I didn't know whether I'd be really upset, and while it is sad saying goodbye, it always brings a smile to my face to think of the kitties in their loving forever homes.
Is there any cat that you've fostered during your time at Catcuddles who was particularly special to you?
It surprised me just how different their personalities are and I've fallen for each of them in their own way. Milly was my fourth foster and has a particularly special place in my heart. She could be challenging at times and cheeky as anything, but she never failed to make me laugh and I miss our nap times together. Her forever family are amazing though and it's the best feeling to know how much they love and appreciate her, and how much she loves them!
What's your favourite part of being a foster carer for Catcuddles?
It's really special to be part of a cat's journey and to give them a loving place to stay when they're in a time of need. And it's a lot of fun getting to meet new cats!
What inspired you to do a sponsored walk for Catcuddles?
I was inspired to use the walk to raise money for Catcuddles, because as a fosterer I've seen the level of work that goes on behind the scenes, all of which is done and funded by volunteers and supporters. Cats need a constant supply of food, litter, medical care, etcetera, and it all costs money. This is my small way of contributing to those costs and supporting the charity's operations - which helps so many cats in their time of need.
What has been the biggest challenge involved in fostering and how have you overcome this challenge?
When they've had medical issues, it's been challenging at times. I had to learn how to put a cone on a very resistant cat, and how to clip a cat's nails, two things I'd never done before, but the other volunteers are a great source of support and each time I've learned how to deal with a new situation, I've grown in confidence.
What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a fostering volunteer/daily routine volunteer?
Do it! It's a wonderful experience and it's been a really important part of my life, especially during the pandemic and the lockdowns. There's a great community feeling with the volunteers and supporters, and I love following the Facebook group and seeing people's photos of their cats. My only caution would be not to foster if you want to 'try out' having a cat - you'll probably find it really hard to say goodbye, and setting people up as fosterers is a long process for organisations like Catcuddles. If you're not sure whether a cat is right for you, try having a chat with a cat owner instead, and find out more about their experiences.