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What we do

The Caithness Branch of Cats Protection was formed in 2001. Everyone in the branch is a volunteer who generously gives up their time for the charity. Some of the work our volunteers do within the Caithness branch is:

• Fostering - Since 2001 we have fostered hundreds of cats and kittens. We don't have an adoption centre and rely on the kindness and hard work of our fosterers who look after the cats in specially designed pens.

• Rehoming - Before we rehome a cat, we make sure it is neutered, wormed, flea treated, micro chipped and fully vet checked.  We carry out home checks to make sure the home is suitable and that the new owner is aware of everything that is required to look after a cat. On the rare occasions when a cat is found to be unsuitable (maybe he/she really doesn't get on with the dog) we can make arrangements to have the cat taken back into our care. Click here for more information about adopting a cat

• Neutering - Neutering is vital to help keep unwanted cats to an absolute minimum and in general is much healthier for a cat. We can help towards the costs of getting an existing pet neutered if money is an issue.
  Click here for more information about neutering

• Fundraising - At various points throughout the year we organise events in the local community such as quiz evenings, bingo nights and coffee mornings, focused on raising funds for Cats Protection.  We also at times set up a collection stall within a local supermarket or shop. There we provide advice to the public about neutering vouchers, initiatives such as the Cat Guardians service, TNR, Cats Protection sponsor a cat, Cats Protection weekly lottery and in general engage in friendly chat with the public.

• Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) - Adult feral cats cannot be tamed or rehomed in the domestic environment as they are wild animals. Trap-Neuter-Return is the method preferred by Cats Protection to effectively and humanely control feral cat populations.  Once a feral cat or feral colony has been identified, our TNR volunteers trap the cats and kittens by setting up humane traps - similar to cages - and safely capture the feral cats. The trapped cats are taken swiftly to a veterinary surgery to be neutered. At the same time, they will also have their ear ‘tipped’ - where between half and one cm of the tip of the left ear is removed under anaesthetic. This serves as a permanent visual mark from a distance to show the cat has been neutered, to prevent the same cat being trapped for neutering in the future. After neutering, the cats will be returned to their territory.