Eleven years post caring - should I have moved on?

[susieq]

Today, I went with a friend to visit Shropshire Cat Rescue at Bayston Hill. I'm not quite ready to take on the care of another cat myself as yet, but I always love visiting SCR with their kitten nursery and the wonderful Moggies' Retirement Village for the seniors! .

Dee have you ever thought about volunteering at the cat rescue ? Or, if that one is too far how about one a bit nearer to you ? Most rescue centres are crying out for volunteers - to do everything from cleaning out pens to socialising with the cats/kittens.

I adore cats (original mad cat lady me !) and volunteer at my local Cats Protection rehoming centre - although I haven't been as much lately (due to my own health problems) I really do love the job it gives me great satisfaction and the sense of being needed, something that's been missing in my life since I stopped caring after Mum died.7 years ago.

[Henrietta]

Great idea Susie- having a pet -in my case the mad dog lady gives you an identity again. Instead of being Dad's daughter I am now double dog mummy. Just another idea on th esame line- I now do support work for a young lady with learning needs. Like you said I think it fulfills that being needed and being useful that is so absent after full time care.

[Dee]

I would love to volunteer at the cat rescue, but there are a couple of practical difficulties. The main one is that, being self-employed, my hours aren't predictable and right now I wouldn't be able to commit to a set number of hours on set days of the week (that would change if I could find sustainable part-time work with a regular set of hours). The other is that Shropshire Cat Rescue IS slightly off the beaten track (but in a totally wonderful setting!) and I don't drive. I don't know of another, similar charity that would be any closer or accessible to me. But it is definitely something that I would like to do if my working hours stabilised or when my SRP finally arrives (2024 under present rules, but who knows?). For the time being, it looks as if I will have to content myself with visits on their open days and with sponsoring the mother and kitten nursery, which I have done in memory of my lovely Kelvin, the cat I had to say goodbye to last October. I also follow them on social media and get lots of lovely updates!

[Dee]

Great idea Susie- having a pet -in my case the mad dog lady gives you an identity again. Instead of being Dad's daughter I am now double dog mummy.

It's very true! And someone said to me recently that when you have a pet there is always another heartbeat in your home, which I thought was lovely.