Leyla, the Cat Foster Coordinator at Mayhew, has spent over six years in the animal rescue industry, gaining deep admiration for the work and dedication foster carers put into helping animals in need. As a fosterer herself, Leyla has hand-reared many kittens over the years, finding immense joy in each experience. Despite the hard work and challenges, she believes there is no better challenge than caring for vulnerable kittens during their first critical stages of life.
Leyla’s most recent fostering experience began in early February when a litter of kittens, rejected by their mother, arrived at the shelter. Hailing from a multi-cat household, these kittens faced a difficult start in life. As the coordinator who assigns foster carers, Leyla was searching for someone to care for them. Unfortunately, all the usual hand-rearers were unavailable, and Leyla knew she had to take the kittens home herself.
This fostering experience became one of the most rewarding for Leyla. She witnessed the kittens’ personalities unfold as she socialized them during their early stages. They went from struggling to walk to racing around with energy, from bottle-feeding to eating from their bowls, and from being shy and unsure to eagerly greeting her with excitement. For Leyla, forming bonds with the cats and seeing them trust and love her back is the most fulfilling part of fostering.
“The hardest part about fostering is saying goodbye,” Leyla admits, but she finds comfort in knowing she has made a lasting impact on their lives. The joy of being part of their journey stays with her long after they’ve moved on to their forever homes.
Through her role, Leyla is closely connected to many foster carers, witnessing the diverse range of cats they take in. From older cats requiring medical attention, to mothers with kittens, to cats with behavioral issues that need extra care, the dedication of the foster carers she works with never fails to inspire her. Leyla often sees timid cats transform into affectionate lap cats in their foster homes, and mother cats finding the comfort of giving birth in a home environment instead of a shelter.
While fostering can be a difficult job, Leyla believes the rewards are immeasurable. “If you love cats, there’s no better love to give than changing their lives for the better,” she says. Witnessing the positive changes in the cats and their foster carers’ unwavering commitment gives her faith in humanity and makes her role a true privilege.
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