| Pursue The Objectives Of Cats Protection |
Homing - Finding good homes for cats in need
Neutering - Supporting and encouraging the neutering of cats (whether domestic, stray or feral)
Information - Improving people’s understanding of cats and their care
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| Rescue |
The branch's main activity is re-homing, which includes 'rescuing' cats from homes where family circumstances have changed, and strays where a reasonable time has passed and effort been made to ensure that they are indeed a stray. We shall always try to help cats in need where we can, but we do not have the facilities to immediately rescue injured or distressed animals - these should either be taken to a vet or the SSPCA should be contacted (03000 999 999). The branch covers the West Lothian and West Edinburgh areas, specifically postcodes EH11-12, 14, 27-30, 47-49 and 52-55 (a map of this area and other useful local organisations is available here).
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| Foster |
Once in our care, all cats are treated with patience and understanding and to a standard that exceeds those laid out by Cats Protection. We foster the cats until suitable permanent homes are found and we never put a healthy cat to sleep. Some cats are fostered in pens, but most are in a single room or have the run of their foster homes.
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| Rehome |
We organise regular Family Rehoming Days (see Events page above) where you can see our charges. Most cats tolerate these occasions relatively well but they do not enjoy them and are not at their best. Once you are considering giving a second chance to a specific cat, they can be visited in their foster homes. Before rehoming any cat, we always perform a home visit to ensure that the adopter, home and surroundings are suitable. While we aim to help everyone possible, our cats are our priority and we will not re-home them anywhere unsuitable.
We also facilitate direct home to home adoptions.
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| Neutering and Microchipping |
We strongly advocate the neutering of all cats older than four months (or as soon as possible). All cats should be microchipped. Cats Protection provide discount vouchers for these two procedures for those on benefits. Our branch regularly arranges discount months for the two procedures for everyone.
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| Lost and Found |
We operate a lost and found register and will try to assist in the identification and transport to a vet of cats injured or killed in accidents (usually on the road).
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| Trap, Neuter, Ear Tip and Return |
Occasionally, we trap, neuter, ear tip and return feral cats.
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| Education |
We try to increase public knowledge about cats and their care.
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| Coordinate With Other Branches/Organisations |
We cooperate and coordinate with other Cats Protection branches and with other charities to maximise the amount of good we can do for cats.
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| Fundraising |
We fundraise to allow us to continue our attempts to make West Lothian and Edinburgh a better place for cats.
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| What we do not do |
We have no powers regarding cruelty or neglect. In these cases, please contact the SSPCA.
We do not provide vet treatment although we can offer discounts on microchipping and neutering (see above). Occasionally, the branch may agree to help with the ongoing vet care costs of one of our cats in their new home.
In an emergency, please contact a vet (contact details are available on our info pages).
The PDSA provides free veterinary services for the pets of those in receipt of eligible benefits, who live within the postcode catchment area of a PDSA Pet Hospital, PDSA Pet Clinic or PDSA Pet Practice.
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| Manifesto |
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