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The cat's whiskers

Fostering cats was fab for my kids...


Published by: Fiona Ford
Published on: 23rd June 2011

His green eyes looked up at me pleadingly. ‘Please come and play football,’ begged my son Charlie, 12.
‘Oh darling, I wish I could,’ I said. ‘But I need to feed your sister, then bathe her and put her to bed.’
‘Oh, okay.’ He wandered off to play on his own.
It couldn’t be easy for him. But being a single mum to a disabled little girl meant I spread myself thin.
When Rebecca, 10, was born, tests had revealed she had a heart condition and needed surgery. She also had a gap between her throat and stomach, and microcephaly which meant she had learning difficulties, epilepsy, deafness and would need a wheelchair.
She needed round-the-clock care. And, sadly, that meant Charlie didn’t get as much attention as he should.
So, a week later, when he came to me, eyes pleading, my heart melted… ‘Mum, could I have a cat?’
‘Oh, darling,’ I said. ‘I don’t know if I’d have time to look after a cat and…’
Then I stopped myself. It could keep him company while I was caring for Rebecca. ‘How about we foster some cats?’ I said.
He leaped at the idea. So, we contacted Haworth Cat Rescue, and soon Pepper and her kittens Mistyfoot and Dustpelt came to live with us. Charlie loved them, but I couldn’t believe the effect they had on Rebecca.
Whenever Pepper left the room, she’d start crying.
‘It’s all right,’ I’d soothe.Then I’d put Pepper on her lap, and she’d be all smiles.
Our furry friends brought Charlie and Rebecca closer, too. Watching them play with the kittens, I couldn’t stop smiling. ‘Be gentle,’ Charlie would tell her.
After 10 weeks, Pepper and her kittens found a permanent home. Charlie and Rebecca were so upset. ‘Bye, bye,’ she whispered.
But we soon welcomed more cats. Now, a year on, we’ve fostered more than 11. Charlie and Rebecca have spoilt every one.
Not only do the cats get a loving, caring home, but Charlie and Rebecca are so much happier too.
• For details, visit www.haworthcatrescue.org
Nicola Slator, 44, Bradford, West Yorkshire