Kits for cats

CHENNAI: Cats don't always land on their feet, as Devika Khazvini discovered many years ago while volunteering at animal shelters. Abandoned, many animals often wind up on the streets, or in facilities ill equipped to take care of their needs. It is to help such felines in need that she established Cattitude Trust in 2005. But today, unable to take in any more rescues, Devika is on the lookout for foster parents who can care for the animals till they find their "forever home".
"I already have 10 cats at home so I can't take in any more," says Devika. "We are looking out for people who will foster a kitten or abandoned cat till we find permanent homes for them."
She started Cattitude to change people's attitude towards cats. "A lot of people love dogs but many are prejudiced against cats as they feel that they, especially black cats, bring bad luck," says Devika. Cattitude works to sensitise people to cat welfare, with a particular focus on correct nutrition, proper veterinary care and spay or neuter. "When I established it, land was too expensive, so we started by helping neighbourhood cats - feeding and neutering them," says Devika.
Cattitude doesn't run any shelter in Chennai, but provides food, veterinary care and support to Parasparam in Batlagundu. "A friend, late Vijayalakshmi Raghavan, ran a small orphanage there. When a cultural institution in Chennai was getting rid of cats from its premises, we helped her establish a small animal shelter there and transported the cats to their new home," says Devika.
In Chennai, a small group of people have been helping her foster abandoned cats and kittens and find homes for them. Rasika Balachandar, for instance, has fostered about six cats for Cattitude. "I was not always a cat lover but in 2007, when I was living in Dubai, I got 'dumped' with a cat my friend had adopted when she left the country," says Rasika, who then began getting interested in cats and animal welfare at large.
To encourage fostering, Cattitude lends all possible support to people who offer a loving home to their animals. "We provide food, equipment such as cat beds and litter, and sponsor the veterinary treatment," says Devika.
However, foster parents have to ensure that they can spend enough time with the animal once they bring it home. "You need someone to cover for you if you are going out for long periods of time," says Rasika.
T V Shatrugan, another foster parent and a self-confessed "sucker for disabled cats" says it is like having a new baby at home. That is why all prospective foster parents are vetted with care by Cattitude. "However, you have a lot of support and can call anyone in our group for advice," says Shatrugan, who has fostered about 14 cats. "And you should be careful not to get so attached to the animal that you are reluctant to give it up."
Cattitude uses its Facebook page and contacts to search for permanent homes for the animals. However, it is important to keep in mind that finding it may take some time. "It may take days, weeks or months. You have to prepared to keep the animal for as long as it takes," she says. "All they need is a little care and lots of love."
People who are interested in fostering can mail cattitudetrust@gmail.com