Caroline's SWAR Foster Caring Experience

My partner and I have been cat foster carers since October 2007. When we moved to Bunbury from the goldfields, we brought with us a cat we had rescued as a kitten (who barely acknowledges our existence) and a vague idea that I wanted to do *something* to help animals. I had no idea what, but as both of us are shift workers, it needed to be something that fit easily into our lifestyle. For us, fostering cats for SWAR has certainly fit the bill.

We had no idea what sort of animals we'd be getting from SWAR, and were expecting them to be much like our own half wild moggy. We were so wrong. Our first foster cat was a tom named Charlie. He was so beautiful and friendly, we joked to each other that this was the 'starter cat' that SWAR sent out to all their new foster carers. He wasn't. I'm not sure how many dozens of cats have come through our door on their way to their forever home, but they have all been a delight. Each has it's distinct personality and story, and many have arrived hungry, scared and missing their loved ones. The one thing they all have in common is that once they feel safe and comfortable, they are friendly and eager to give and receive lots of affection.

We tend to foster only one or two cats at a time, although before Christmas we had four little kittens, which was sooo much fun! While it usually averages us about a month to rehome each cat, we've had some for less than a week and one (my all time favourite cat - the ubiquitous Chocolate) we had for three months.

When people find out we do this, the question we are most asked is 'Isn't it hard to give them up' and the answer is yes, sometimes it is hard to let a cat you've gotten attached to, go on to their new home. But, the wait is never very long before the call comes through asking if we would take a new cat, or - as is more often the case - me calling Tanya asking where the next cat is!

We get a lot more out of foster caring than we put into it, and not just because it feels good to know you are trying to do some good, or that the animals SWAR saves would otherwise be put down. It's for that purely selfish reason that we get to have a cat and pat it too, without the 18 years of responsibility.


- Caroline Franklin, SWAR Foster Carer

Lacey

Lacey, like her litter sister, Lucy, is a 5 1/2 month old kitten with short, super soft fur.
Lacey is very loving and smoochy, a great companion cat who will spend hours curled up next to you and loves lots of belly and ear rubs.
She enjoys being outside, but never strays far from the creature comforts of indoor living.
She is low maintenance, will occasionally talk to you in her soft voice and always makes you feel loved.
Lacey's easygoing nature means she is great with kids, other cats and friendly dogs.


- Caroline Franklin, SWAR Foster Carer

Lucy

Lucy is 5 1/2 months old and has short, super soft fur and a friendly, inquisitive nature. She can often be found with her head cocked staring at something that has caught her attention - the sounds of soft drink bubbling in a can, moving shadows, whatever catches her attention.

Indoors, she will head butt you for pats while purring loudly and snuggle up on the couch. Outside, she loves to play in the garden and bolts from one end of the yard to the other at top speed - which is why we've nicknamed her Cannonball - displaying the fearlessness and hilarious gymnastics that only a young cat can possess.

Lucy is confident, but not demanding (she barely meows) and is very low maintenance. She isn't intimidated by kids, will be happy around other cats and cat friendly dogs, and can be left alone all day. Lucy's easygoing nature will ensure that she quickly become a much loved member of any family.

- Caroline Franklin, SWAR Foster Carer

Josie

This gorgeous girl is Josie.

She came into foster care as a very skinny but doting mother of 3 young kittens.

While the kittens were growing she was very protective of them, but still allowed us to pick them up and nurse them. However she didn’t like dogs and would get very protective if any got too close. Her kittens have all grown and were recently rehomed to wonderful new families.

Josie was sterilised and her gorgeous, friendly personality began to shine through. She has even started to get used to having dogs around her and the other day smooched up to our old golden retriever!

She loves to sleep, play with ribbon and likes been picked up and cuddled.

Josie is a real pleasure to look after and we love having her here.

Im sure whoever adopts her will have a wonderful companion for many years to come.

- Kellie Hodgson, SWAR Founder and Foster Carer.

We have a blog!

Hi and welcome to the South West Animal Rescue blog. Thank you for taking time out of your day to drop by and visit us!

This blog will soon be filled with pictures, stories and updates on the abandoned domestic animals currently in our care.

We hope to be able to share with you reports of their bravery, their loyalty and their love while they rehabilitate and learn to trust us humans again.

For more information on the animals currently at SWAR you can view them on our website at http://www.southwestanimalrescue.com/

Become a follower so you are first to know about our updates (which I promise are coming soon!)

Take care
Clare