VOLUNTEERS at Cats Protection Adoption Centre in St Helens are on the lookout for potential fosterers who can welcome unwanted and abandoned cats into their homes.

The centres are busy at this time of year, with kitten season in full swing, so the charity is keen to expand its team of volunteers who can look after animals at home.

The centre in St Helens is running a hands-free homing scheme so cats can still be adopted while adhering to Covid-19 restrictions.

Since launching hands-free homing, Cats Protection has re-homed more than 21,000 cats across the UK.

Beni Benstead, volunteer team leader for the centre at St Helens and in Warrington, said: “Fostering is a really flexible way you can enjoy caring for a cat in your own home without the commitment of cat ownership.

“Our fosterers have busy or quiet lives, are at home or away a lot, and live in houses or flats.

“We can always find a good match and it gives you the joy of having a cat around when it suits you.

“There are so many vulnerable cats in need of help - street cats, timid strays, injured and post-surgery cats and, especially at this time of year, kittens.

“Cats Protection provides everything you need, from food and litter to toys and scratching posts, and covers the costs of veterinary treatments.

“To foster for us you need to live within 20 minutes of our centres and, of course, a love of cats is a must.

“Offering a temporary home to a cat in need can be an incredibly rewarding experience and becoming a volunteer for Cats Protection is a great way to meet new friends, both human and feline.”

As well as finding new homes for unwanted and abandoned cats, the charity also offers cat care advice to the public and can also help towards the cost of neutering.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer fosterer for Cats Protection Adoption Centre in St Helens email northwest.volunteer@cats.org.uk or call 07557 486319.