THE BLUE Cross in Bromsgrove has put a massive ‘shout-out’ to all its volunteers for their support during the pandemic.
Many have taken in pets until a new home could be found and there have been around 100 cats in foster care since the last lockdown last March.
The charity wants to thank all the volunteers who helped by being a lifeline to pets when the centre was having to adapt to follow regulations and keep everyone at the centre safe.
One shy cat – Bella – has been finding her feet thanks to the patience and care of volunteers Lucy Matthews and her partner Ryan Page.
When the four-year-old was first admitted to the centre in January she rarely left her igloo bed because she was so nervous and afraid of her surroundings in the centre’s cattery.
She had bad skin problems and only a few remaining teeth despite her young age.
When she was discovered collapsed in her kennel she was taken to vets who discovered she also had mouth ulcerations and roots left where her teeth had fallen out, causing her pain.
She was also breathing very heavily due to the inflammation in her mouth. She was given pain relief and antibiotics for infection and taken back to the vets when well enough to have dental treatment.
She was placed in foster care where it was spotted she was developing skin problems with sore patches on her skin so she was put on additional treatment.
Lucy and Ryan kept a close eye on her and changed her diet to see if it would help improve her skin.
Thanks to the devotion of her carers she has made vast improvements and is also overcoming her shyness.
Lucy said: “It’s taken a lot of time and patience but Bella will now lie next to me on the sofa and even have a bit of a fuss.”
Amy Neale, Blue Cross Bromsgrove’s Animal Welfare Assistant, said: “Bella really is a case that illustrates how much our volunteer foster carers help local pets.
“Bella was in a real state when she came to us and struggled with cattery life so having volunteers like Lucy and Ryan is invaluable to us in helping pets looking for a new home.
“We can’t thank enough all the volunteers who have come forward to help pets like Bella.”
Bella is still being monitored for her health and skin to improve to have vaccinations before finding a new home.
Blue Cross in Bromsgrove is calling for more volunteers to help pets while the charity finds them a permanent home.
Anyone interested should call the centre on 0300 777 1460.
Blue Cross is a charity and relies on the support of volunteers to help homeless pets and also the donations of local animal lovers for their care.
To make a donation and see the pets currently looking for homes in Bromsgrove visit www.bluecross.org.uk.
