huffingtonpost - 1 month ago

Blue Cross foster carer, Wendy Penfold.This December, we’re championing kindness in all its forms through HuffPost UK’s Kindness Advent Calendar. Check back daily (until 24 December) for new stories focusing on how individuals and communities are going above and beyond to help others in their times of need.Not all superheroes wear capes, some – like cat foster carer, Wendy Penfold – wear fleece gilets covered in cat fur.Wendy, from Dartford in Kent, began fostering for pet charity Blue Cross in 2012 and has since lost count of the number of cats who have passed through her doors – although she estimates the number must be over 500.“Back then, I’d just left a job in a high-pressure environment – as a project manager, in charge of multi-million-pound pharmaceutical projects,” Wendy said.“The work was exciting, but it was time to step away. I wanted a different, calmer life.”“I love animals so my friend who’s a vet nurse suggested fostering for Blue Cross. I got in touch and Kellie, who manages the Hertfordshire rehoming centre in Kimpton, visited me here at home.”The pair had a conversation where it was suggested Wendy could install cat chalets in her garden to begin her foster journey.“My husband Andy built a concrete base for the chalets and installed an electricity generator – then a lorry turned up with what looked like a huge wooden shed on its trailer,” said Wendy.Inside the ‘shed’ were three roomy chalets for cats with split level accommodation, indoor and outdoor space, and radiators.To make things cosier still, Wendy’s mother-in-law Jean knitted blankets for the chalets and Wendy’s sister Karen, a hairdresser, donated old towels.Wendy’s first guests – four kittens called Tom, Will.i.am, Danny and Jessie – arrived a few days later.“They were here for a few weeks – long enough for me to assess their characters so we could put them up for adoption,” said Wendy, who has been nominated to feature in HuffPost UK’s kindness advent calendar by Blue Cross.“But, as soon as they’d left for their forever homes, the next set of cats moved into the chalets. There are so many needing help.”Wendy with one of her foster cats.As a Blue Cross fosterer, Wendy cares for her chalets’ occupants while they wait to be adopted. Sometimes, as was the case for Matty who arrived in December 2024, the cats are convalescing after an operation or illness. Matty had just had cruciate ligament surgery and had to spend most of his time on crate rest.Other times, Wendy fosters cats who are finding life in a Blue Cross centre a little stressful. She’s even, when called upon, hand-reared tiny kittens who have lost their mother or whose mothers are struggling to cope.While Wendy supplies all the love the cats need, Blue Cross provides the food, treats, toys, bedding and veterinary care – as well as Pets at Home vouchers donated by kind-hearted supporters. The charity also offers online courses on a wide range of subjects.For Wendy, the joy of fostering is all about the relationships she builds with the cats in her care – and it’s mutually beneficial, too. “I love sitting with the cats and talking to them,” she said. “I suffer with anxiety and spending time in the cats’ company is very calming. And, of course, the longer they stay, the fonder I grow ...”“My longest stayer was a cat called Daisy who had a lot of medical issues. She was quirky and we built up a strong bond, but she eventually found super new owners.“I do believe there’s a perfect home for every cat and although I’m sad to see my fosters go, I’m excited for their new beginnings. Often their adopters send me updates about how they are settling in, which is lovely.”Blue Cross said volunteer foster carers like Wendy are “vital” in helping them support more sick, injured and homeless pets across the country. Amanda Rumball, London welfare officer for the charity, said: “Wendy has been volunteering for Blue Cross for over a decade and in that time she has never said no to any cat or kitten in need.“Wendy’s kindness and compassion for each of her foster animals knows no bounds and she never gives up, no matter how long it takes to find them a home.“Blue Cross simply couldn’t care for the countless sick, injured, and homeless animals we help each year without the compassion and commitment of amazing volunteers and foster carers like Wendy.”If you’d like to foster or volunteer, visit bluecross.org.uk/volunteer, or you can donate to the charity’s Christmas Appeal here.Got a kindness story to share? Please email uklife@huffpost.com with more information.Related...Brits Are Kindest At This Time Of Year. But It Shouldn’t Stop ThereHelping Wildlife In Winter Is Easier Than You Think, Charities SayOne Woman s Broken Boiler Inspired 105,000 Small Acts Of Kindness

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