An animal welfare charity has celebrated International Volunteers Day by highlighting the dedication of its volunteers.
Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, has praised the hard work of its volunteers who help hundreds of cats each year.
The charity, founded in 1927, has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network, which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
The volunteers assist with various tasks, including cleaning, feeding, socialising, and fostering vulnerable felines until they find their forever homes.
One such volunteer is Tess Hutchinson, who has been volunteering at the centre weekly for the last two years.
She was inspired to volunteer after being “amazed” by the care and knowledge of the centre’s staff when she adopted two kittens during lockdown.
Tess said: “After I retired, I wanted to give back to the community and do something meaningful with my time.
“As a farmer’s daughter and life-long animal lover, helping at the centre felt like the perfect fit.
Despite being profoundly deaf, Ms Hutchinson has developed a unique approach to her work.
She explained: “I may not hear a cat’s meow, but I’ve learned to rely on their body language to understand how they’re feeling.
“I learn something new about the cats and myself every week.
“I really enjoy attending training sessions where I’m supported by a sign language interpreter.”
For Tess, volunteering is not just about helping cats in need and learning new skills, it is also about being part of a community.
She continued: “I love meeting new people, and one of the best parts about volunteering is being part of an amazing team.
“We have a brilliant volunteer coordinator, James, who is so supportive to me and the other volunteers at the centre.”
James Vallance, volunteer team leader, said: “Our volunteers are the backbone of Cats Protection.
“The compassion and dedication of people like Tess means that cats in our care get a second chance.
“They help provide the love and support every cat needs to thrive while they wait for their forever homes, and International Volunteers Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their incredible efforts.
“Volunteering is challenging but incredibly fulfilling.
“We are always looking for more passionate cat-lovers to join our team, whether that be in a centre, shop or as a fosterer.”
