Central Dumfries Cats Protection charity is appealing for more residents to step forward and help with their vital work.
A spokesperson for the group – one of three branches that cover Dumfries and Galloway – said: “In order for us to be able to continue our work, we desperately need more volunteers, especially people who are interested in becoming fosterers.
“At present our cats in care are housed in purpose built cat pens in our gardens. These pens are insulated, have electricity and everything else the cats may need. The pens, equipment, preparation of ground and installation of electrics etc, are all paid for by the branch. All we ask is for your time.
“In addition, all cats brought into care and homed have been, blood tested (if necessary), neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and microchipped – along with any other treatment needed.
“Before any cat is homed a home check is done, to ensure that we get the right cat for the right home.”
Anyone who would like to become a cat fosterer is asked to call 01387 710083 to find out more.
The small branch was set up in 1998 and most of its present volunteers have been with there from the start.
Central Dumfries Cats Protection branch is totally self-funding through donations from the public and from tombolas, pop-up shops and so on, completley manned by volunteers.
Although Cats Protection is mainly known for the rescuing and rehoming of stray and unwanted cats, the branch said it does a lot more than people may be aware of.
One of the projects on a monthly basis for the past six years is to donate cat food/litter to five local food banks to help cash-strapped pet lovers keep their cats and not to have to give them up because they can’t afford to feed them.
The group also provides help for people on benefit or low income with the cost of neutering their cats, which is important to both for the pet’s welfare and to stop all the unwanted kittens for which it is a struggle to find homes for.
The charity warns that female cats can come into season as early as four months, when they are only kittens still themselves which poses problems. It also helps with farm and feral cats by paying for them to get neutered, blood tested, treated for parasites and vaccinated.
The branch has a Facebook page at catsprotectiondumfriescentra and a web page, and it advertises any lost or found casts i the area which has been successful in reuniting cats with their owners – even after a considerable time.