Getting involved with cat welfare with restrictions?

[Drikanyx]

Hello!

I'll preface this with an apology if I'm in the wrong board, I considered posting in Rescue and Rehoming but this doesn't directly involve active rescue and is more of a question related to it.

As some background, I'm a 29 year old gent from Milton Keynes. For years I've wanted to get involved in cat welfare, rescue, etc. but everything seems to be stopping me. I suffer with a condition called Fibromyalgia, which means I'm always in pain. I have to use a walking stick as it affects my balance, and I can't walk for long without getting exhausted both mentally and physically, and being out for days afterward.

As a result, I've found myself feeling distant when it comes to helping cats. I like to think I know a lot about them, and I'd love to do things like help with TNR, shelter work, rescues etc. but The Big Problem as I mentioned above is a limiting factor. I'm also unable to drive myself - so it's not easy to get around to do these things. Most of the local rescues that I can find are outside of the city and suburbs so travelling would be hard.

I also live with my partner's mother, who is unfortunately allergic to cats - plus we have a large dog. I think he'd be fine with cats as he's a friendly and harmless lump, but the cats might not be fine with him - in relation to fostering. It would be very difficult to keep them separated if somehow my partner's mother could handle the allergies.

I guess I feel frustrated as I have help I want to give to these animals so badly, and though I do donate to cat welfare charities, it feels a little empty to not be out there helping and doing, if you understand me! I've tried getting in contact with a local rescue and the local Cats Protection branch, but not had any reply or I can't commit to because of work.

To sum it up - can any of you lovely people suggest anything I might be able to do to start getting involved? I'm aware of things like fundraising, awareness campaigns, charity stalls etc. which I'm trying to do - I regularly share info and campaigns on social media - but as for working with the cats themselves, how can I start? Is there anything possible for me to do that I haven't thought of?

[fjm]

My local rescues often ask for help with socialising kittens - sitting and talking to them, playing with them, etc. Older cats might also appreciate some calm, quiet companionship. If you were able to clean a few trays that might also help of course!

[Ruth B]

Do you have a spare room you could use as a home for foster cats. Many charities don't want them having the run of the house and would rather they were just kept in a single room. Keeping them separated would also probably help on the allergies side and with the dog. Fostering those that need time to socialise would be helpful to charities as you could then spend the time need with the cat to get it used to being around humans, you might even be able to slowly introduce the dog to the cat and see if they get on, being able to advertise a cat as good in a family with a dog could also help find it a home, or even if the cat really decides it hates dogs the charity knows not to try and settle it in a family that has one.

If you have any tech skills then offering those might be welcome, good photos and even videos can be a real help when it comes to finding homes for the cats and as anyone who has tried to take a good photo of a cat knows, it takes time and patience and a bit of luck to get the really good photos.

Rather than just messaging them it might be worth working out bus routes to the charities bases and then going to see people and talk to them in person. A message to ask when's a good time to visit to chat to them would be a good idea, but actually going over there might help encourage them you are serious about wanting to help.

[Mollycat]

Or if you don't have a spare room, would a secure run with a heated cat house in the garden be an option?

There seem to be so many obstacles, I do hope there is a way to harness that enthusiasm you have for helping unwanted and neglected cats into loving homes.

[Drikanyx]

Thank you for the replies, it is much appreciated! Some of these are definitely things I might be able to do. Regarding fostering, We have a spare room but not one I'd be happy keeping a cat cooped up in. It's essentially a closet with a bed shoved in, and regularly used by guests, so not an option sadly.

The secure run and heated cat house might be an option, though I'd need to do some research and see if it's something my partner's mother would be happy with. It would keep her away from the cat, but she's rather protective of her garden. Might be able to work something out. There's no electrics out there either, so I'd need to find out how much it would cost to power at least, and figure out how to get power to it. Our garden isn't big, but it's LONG, and the only place I'd really see there being space is towards the back... Though, thinking on it now, our garage is only used for storage. If we could clear some of it out, fitting a run and cat shed in there *may* be possible. Long shot, but it would be easier to heat and power.