The Mayhew Animal Home is always on the lookout for new Foster Carers to assist in the care of cats and kittens. This includes the cats in our care as residents of The Mayhew, litters of feral kittens who need socialisation and assistance with care for the cats needing help through our Pet Refuge scheme.

Why do we need foster carers?

Although the animal housing in our Cattery is stimulating, comfortable and homely, some animals simply don't do well in any environment they are not familiar with and need a lot more time and attention on a one-to-one basis; fostering provides the perfect remedy for this.

In addition, fostering frees up cabin space at The Mayhew for other cats in need of our care, especially emergency cases. The high standard of our cat cabins can never substitute a real home and we therefore aim to ensure that any animal does not stay with us for an unnecessarily long time.

What does fostering entail?

Fostering provides an cat in need with temporary care and accommodation in your own home. It is an extremely rewarding role but requires a high level of time, emotional commitment and patience. Of course, many fosterers find it difficult to part with an animal after they have taken them into their home and cared for them, but by fostering one animal you are helping many many more by giving us additional space at the Home.

Please be aware that most foster carers will need to be based at home for the majority of the day, in order to spend that one-to-one time with the cats and kittens who need the benefit of a foster home.

Required Skills

• Experience of caring for cats
• Time to commit to the needs of the animal to be fostered
• A suitable environment for the cat (a home visit will be required)
• Ability to respect the decisions of The Mayhew on an animal's long term future

All care equipment e.g. bedding, food, bowls, and costs are covered (with the exception of travel costs) although we do appreciate any offers of contributions towards these items.

It is important to be aware that the majority of cats that go on foster require socialising, they may have medical problems that need regular medication or have behavioural issues. It is therefore important that volunteers are experienced so that the cats can get as much out of being in a foster home as possible.

Please take the time to read our Cat Fostering Introduction and if after reading you feel that you have what it takes to become a Mayhew cat or kitten fosterer, then please request a cat fostering application from our Cat Foster Co-ordinator by email or telephone 020 8968 2350.

Sponsor a Cat Unit

A wonderful way of supporting Mayhew cats is to sponsor the rooms they sleep in at night. At The Mayhew we have pioneered state of the art animal units for many years and provide cosy, hospitable and secure surroundings for every animal that passes through our doors.

Our logic is simple. We work with cats who may have suffered terrible hardship and abuse and aim to find them loving new homes where they will feel safe and cared for. By experiencing homely surroundings whilst at The Mayhew, a cat can begin to make the mental adjustments that they need before finding the lifetime home that they deserve.

Sponsoring a cat cabin costs just £100 per year and the process is quick and simple. A personalised plaque will be placed on your sponsored unit and you will receive a sponsorship certificate, as well as regular pictures and updates about the current tennants of your room! To find out more, please click here.