The cat socialiser
‘We have to take time to get them to trust humans so that they’ll be able to live in a home’
When Susie Lofts went back to the cattery where she’d previously picked up her own beloved rescue cat eight years ago, she knew she wanted to volunteer there. Having retired from her largely desk-bound job, Susie was keen to do something hands on and that, having never really taken much time off work before, would give her retirement some routine. As a volunteer cat socialiser, Susie (63) goes into the RSPCA Southall Cattery twice weekly, during which time she cleans, feeds, waters and spends time getting the cats used to people so they can be rehomed. “Sometimes we get feral cats, or cats who’ve been neglected or mistreated, so we have to take time to get them to trust humans so that they’ll be able to live in a home. “I play with them, talk to them and stroke them or sometimes, when they’re really shy, I end up sitting in the outside run quietly chatting to them while they hide underneath a box. You have to have
patience and let them come to you. “Since I started a year ago I’ve had lots of favourites including Larry, who was brought in after six years living with a family, and I just felt so sorry for him finding himself in a cattery after that kind of life. He was so lovely. “With the cats who’ve had a sad past, while it’s heartbreaking when they come in, it’s lovely to see them improve and be rehomed, even if it’s hard when your favourites leave.
“I’ve met lots of new people doing this, including other cat socialisers and the people who rehome the cats. I always feel great when I leave the centre and my volunteering days with the RSPCA have now become my favourite days of the week. It makes me appreciate my own cat even more and I feel I’ve really done something worthwhile.”