Fluffy Trouble

June 02nd, 2016

Echunga residents and sisters Ellen and Elizabeth Minge are saving lives one kitten at a time as foster carers for the RSPCA.

Fostering for around one and a half years, the pair have provided dozens of cats and kittens with a loving and supportive home to grow and thrive.

While the RSPCA opens its arms to any and all animals in need – very young animals with their underdeveloped immune systems need a little extra attention in a quieter home.

This love and support helps to improve their temperament and prepare them to join their new families.

For Ellen the decision to become a foster carer was an easy one with her love for animals and passion to help those in need.

“It is an amazing opportunity and really a chance to save a life,” she said.

“It is unfair how some animals are treated – they are born into a life they have not chosen and don't have anyone to love or support them.

“So we give them that chance to be loved.”

Staying with Ellen and her family for around nine weeks or until they weigh 1kg the kittens transform from being scared and antisocial to the most loved up animals you can imagine.

“It is so rewarding – especially when there is a really scared kitten that is hissing and biting when you first get it and then in a couple of weeks it has turned into a big love bug – you think, 'I did that!',” Ellen said.

Elizabeth is equally as passionate about helping these gorgeous animals.

“Of course it is a lot of fun playing with the kittens but it is a great feeling to be giving them a good start in life,” she said.

“It is such a good cause to be involved with – It is so rewarding to give them that opportunity to develop and become more sociable.

“I would definitely encourage others to get involved with fostering – kitten season is very go, go, go so they need as many people as possible to help out.”

Spending so much time loving and caring for the kittens Elizabeth finds it very hard to say goodbye.

“It is always tough to give them back – I cry 90 per cent of the time,” she said.

“We have a litter of five at the moment, they are doing really well and are almost at the 1kg mark so they will probably go back in a couple of weeks.

“It will be very sad but I know we will soon have another litter to care for.”

With dozens of animals of all kinds looking for a supportive and loving temporary home, the RSPCA is always on the look out for people to take on the role of a foster carer.

Whether it be a cat or dog with their litter, an older animal finding the shelter environment too stressful or a pregnant mum needing some extra love and attention, there is an animal to suit everyone’s situation.

While there are a few guidelines that must be met in order to become a foster carer, you first and fore-mostly must be a caring and loving person.

Fostering requires dedication and commitment so carers must have ample time available to play and care for their foster animal/s.

Depending on the animal and its situation they may be in foster care from anywhere between one week to three months.

Over their time as foster carers Ellen and Elizabeth have provided their home to anywhere between 2-10 kittens at a time.

While their home can seem a bit chaotic at times the two wouldn't have it any other way with them both committed to fostering for many more years.

“I will definitely keep fostering for as long as I can and if for some reason I can't I will volunteer my time with the RSPCA, even if it is picking up pooh,” Ellen said.

“I want to do anything I can to help these animals in need.”

For more information about becoming a foster carer or volunteering with the RSPCA visit http://www.rspca.org.au


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