Today's blog post is by Louise, one of the volunteers at Woodland Nook.
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| Louise, a volunteer at Woodland Nook |
It’s Monday morning – but no groans from me. It’s my volunteering slot at Woodland Nook, our local cat shelter.
Once inside the gates the cats and kittens greet me with miaows, playfulness and general ‘where’s my breakfast?!’ sort of behaviour. If you know cats, you’ll know what I mean ☺
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| Cerise has now gone to her Forever Home |
We get to know the cats as individuals – they all have their own funny little ways, their likes and dislikes, their favourite hidey holes, their ways of getting our attention! Once breakfast is cleared and washed up (we have a dishwasher, all mod cons here…) it’s time to sort the litter trays and make a note of any of the cats having ‘toilet troubles’. The wonderful Jane (who runs the shelter and who has done for the last 23 years … brilliantly!) has a diary so we can make notes of those kitties who may turn their sweet little noses up at breakfast, who may have decorated the litter trays in a rather artistic way, etc. Jane also is our top feline nurse and records all meds given to our kitties not feeling on top of the world.
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| Loulou playing in the lounge |
Cuddles and fun are all part of the ‘job’ here at Woodland Nook. Giving our cats time and our attention is a priority. So it’s out with the laser pointer on the floor and a quick game of hunt the material mouse in the scalextric car before I’m off in search of my brush and pan to sweep the floors.
After a brew, a natter with Jane and a cat on my knee I’m off towards the kettle again to fill up the bucket. A few of the cats still think the mop is just one big hairy playmate and it entertains them enormously!
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| Mittens has happily been rehomed |
Checking for any blankets which need a freshen up in the washer, I spot a cat watching me. They know our routines, he’s waiting for more cuddles or perhaps I’ll put down another bowl of food right under his nose. I don’t need persuading twice.
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| Daisy by the castle - still waiting for a new family |
We ensure all the cats from Woodland Nook have a wonderful life whilst they are with us. Whether they be from down the road or those we take in from Crete who are without a home, we look after each and every one of them as though they were our very own. Sky TV is on for them, as is the radio! The cats are absolutely treated like kings – in fact they even have their own kitty castle in their cat garden!
The greatest satisfaction, however, is when we say goodbye and wave them off to their forever home. We love to hear how they are getting on!
When we’re not at the shelter itself, we’re busy trying to raise funds and awareness of our kitties in need. There’s the annual tea party event in June, our annual garden party in July and in October we hope to even have a Halloween fundraising event! We are so very grateful to each and every one of you who spend time raising funds and looking after our very precious cats.
I couldn’t think of a nicer and more rewarding thing to do at the start of my week. I love Monday mornings!
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