“They Need You” Fundraiser
I was going through emails when Smokey’s request came in.
At first glance, it looked straightforward. A sweet little cat, a clear need for rehoming, something we handle every day. I remember thinking he’d be easy to place.
Then I read the reason, homelessness.
And I paused.
Smokey’s owner had fallen on hard times. In a short space of time, he had been forced to leave his home and was moving from place to place with his beloved cat, doing everything he could to keep him safe and cared for through an incredibly unstable period.
It took its toll.
Smokey became stressed with the constant change, and his owner could see it. As much as they loved each other, he knew Smokey needed something he could not provide in that moment, consistency, calm and a stable home.
So he made the decision no one wants to make. He put Smokey up for adoption, believing that giving him up was the only way to give him a better life.
But that word, homelessness, stuck with me.
So I asked a simple question: do you actually want to give him up?
The answer was immediate. He did not want to lose Smokey, he just did not see another option.
So we gave him one.
Instead of rehoming, we stepped in to provide long term foster.
Smokey’s owner kept the bond that meant everything to him, while Smokey got the stability he needed.
People should not have to lose their pets at the hardest points in their lives. That relationship is often one of the only constants they have, and it matters deeply for their mental health and wellbeing.
And it goes both ways. Pets do not just move on. They love their people, they miss them and they want to be with them.
That bond is worth protecting.
Smokey did not find the transition easy at first. After multiple moves in a short period, he was understandably unsettled. We focused on making his foster environment calm and predictable, giving him space to decompress and feel safe again.
We also made sure he received all the care he needed.
Today, Smokey is a different cat. He is confidently marching around his foster home, demanding Dreamies, exploring high surface and settling into a routine. He is safe, he is stable and he is waiting for the day he can return to a home with his person.
Smokey’s care is not just about one moment of intervention, it is ongoing and comprehensive. It includes the following:
- Veterinary care included neuter surgery, core vaccinations and a microchip. This keeps him healthy now and removes a significant future cost burden for his owner when they are reunited.
- He also needed behavioural support. When Smokey arrived, he was highly stressed. We introduced monthly Feliway diffusers to help reduce anxiety, along with enrichment like wand toys to support his mental wellbeing.
- While his owner works towards stable housing, Smokey remains in foster. That means ongoing costs, nutritious food, litter and daily care items, for as long as he needs.
The total cost of Smokey’s care is £572. Thanks to early donors, we have fully funded his care!
Smokey deserves stability, comfort and the chance to return to the person he loves, without either of them having to lose everything in the process.
And this is just one story. Across Glasgow, more pets and owners are facing similar moments, and they need the same kind of support.
Watch out for Keeka, Sooks, Cheeko and Nibby’s story in coming days!
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