How to Help

Cats Aid is run by a very small group of volunteers who give up their free time to help cats and kittens in need. Our workload is increasing every year and we struggle to keep up with the demands on our time and our resources. Can YOU help us?

Even if you don’t feel you have the time or commitment to give, you would be surprised at how a little help can go a long way. Below is a guide to the following ways in which you or your friends may be able to help us.

Adopt a Cat

Could you give a permanent home to a cat or kitten via adoption?

Cats Aid is about providing loving homes for cats. How do we do that? We put photos and details of cats on our web pages and ask if you could give one (or more) a home. If you don’t have access to the internet, then ring our helpline, leave your name and telephone number and someone will return your call and discuss at length the different cats we have available. We will listen to any concerns you may have and advise and reassure. The cat’s welfare is our main priority but we also like to ensure, as far as possible, that potential new owners are matched up with the right cat for them and their circumstances. Cats make wonderful companions and can really make a house a home!

Foster a Cat

Could you give a temporary foster home to a kitten or cat?

Have you thought about getting a companion cat but feel your present lifestyle just doesn’t suit a long term commitment? Or maybe you’re not sure how you and a cat would get on? Or do you already have a cat but feel that one more in your home on a temporary basis would not be a problem? Then perhaps you would think of becoming a Cats Aid Fosterer… What does this entail? Cats Aid does not have a shelter or sanctuary, so the cats we rescue are taken into the homes of our foster volunteers until a permanent home can be found. We are very desperate for more foster homes because the more places we have available, the more cats and kittens we can take in and help. Because of the shortage of foster homes we often have to resort to boarding rescued cats in kennels in vets’ surgeries, the cost of which really adds up and is causing us a lot of concern. – A loving foster home works wonders for cats and kittens who have experienced abandonment and hard times and it prepares them for their new home. – All animals are health checked and Cats Aid takes responsibility for all medical expenses. – Advice and backup is always on hand.

Sponsor a Cat

Would you like to sponsor the care and wellbeing of a particular cat, if you cannot provide a home for one?
Cats Aid have a number of cats that cannot, for one reason or another, be re-homed. They may need ongoing medical attention, or have behavioural problems or just be too old or too timid. These cats become permanently fostered cats and stay in the homes of a few of our core group volunteers. It puts a large financial burden on Cats Aid to provide medical help and food for these special cats, whose number is increasing each year. This money could be put to better use if we can get sponsorship for each cat. Sponsorship involves dedicating a sum of money each month to a cat in order to offset expenses. In return we will send you a photo and some information about the cat you have sponsored. There are many cat lovers out there, but not everyone can give a cat a home so this is the next best thing! Some people sponsor a cat as a gift for a friend or relative, which is a lovely thoughtful idea.

Become a Member

If you share our aims and would like to support us in our work, then consider becoming a Member of Cats Aid.
Our suggested minimum donation to become a member is €15. (Pensioners/unwaged/junior supporters €6).

We will send you our Newsletter which we publish 3 or 4 times a year and also advise you of any fundraising events. Download a copy of our Membership Form, pick up a form at any of our fundraising events or ring the helpline and we will post one out to you.

Make a Donation

If you do not wish to become a member but would still like to support Cats Aid, we would be delighted to receive your donation to help us continue our work.

Join the Helpline Team

Are you good at dealing with people on the phone?

A lot of our work is done through our telephone helpline. Training and support will be given. Just a few hours a week can be really helpful to our core group co-ordinators. If you would like to find out more, please ring our helpline, leave your name and telephone number on the answer phone, and also briefly explain that you wish to find out more about volunteering to join the Helpline team, and someone will phone you back to discuss. Or alternatively send us an email with your name, telephone number etc.

Volunteer to help with trapping

Special purpose-built traps are used to catch cats who may need our attention but are too afraid or unused to human contact to be simply picked up.

We also monitor feral colonies and trap, neuter/spay and return (TNR) cats to sustainable colonies. This helps reduce the overpopulation of stray cats and promote better health and quality of life for the neutered male and spayed female. Our problem a lot of the time is lack of manpower in getting the traps to the areas needed. We would love to have more volunteers in all parts of Dublin and surrounding counties to help us with this vital work.

Support our Fundraisers

It is a constant struggle to raise funds.
In spite of the support of many veterinary practices, our bills for treatment & boarding are very high. Therefore we need all the support we can get for our fundraisers.
We are always delighted to see people at our Sales… we hold them twice a year, at Christmas time and in early Summer. Come along, and tell your friends and family to come too! Are you able to donate items we can sell, or bake a cake for the cake stall. These Sales are an opportunity to meet us and pick up a bargain at the same time!
We hold other fundraisers too from time to time, details will be in your newsletter or on the website.

Every 18 months or so we hold a photographic competition which is always popular.

There is our Grand Raffle held every two years, and occasionally we hold supermarket collections.

Each year we make an appeal for women to take part in the Ladies Mini Marathon in aid of Cats Aid.

All support for any of our fundraisers is very welcome.

Hold Your Own Fundraising Event

Why not hold a coffee morning or a table quiz for Cats Aid?
Such events are great fun and any amount you raise, big or small, will be greatly appreciated and go directly to helping cats and kittens in need. Have you any other ideas for a fundraiser?

How about asking your friends & family to a BBQ in Summer and charge a fun admission fee for Cats Aid!
Younger members could organise sponsored swims, skipathons or sale of works.

If you are thinking of holding a fundraiser in aid of Cats Aid, please contact us and we can provide literature for display or Cats Aid merchandising for sale if you wish.
We are happy to help and support in any way that we can, if required.

Spread the Word!

Tell your family and friends about us and maybe they can help in some way too.
Do you know someone who is looking to give a cat a home, or might be interested in fostering, or becoming a member… give them our contact details!

Finally, thank you for reading this, and taking an interest in Cats Aid.