Back in the winter of 2023, I was ready to take on the responsibility of cats to join our home after the loss of our much loved, aged cat. I was signposted to Waifs and Strays and did some investigations via social media. The FB site looked friendly enough and on the recommendation of a friend, I got in touch.

From the very first contact, I was met with politeness, kindness, compassion, and a genuine display of love for the cats in their care.

The staff at Waifs and Strays are truly special people who go above and beyond to ensure the well-being of every cat in their care. When I first reached out, they were incredibly responsive and took the time to understand why I was interested in a particular pair of cats in need of rehoming. They guided me through the process with patience and warmth, answering all my questions and providing detailed information about the cats and their needs.

Visiting the rescue home was a positive experience. It was clean, warm, set up for all sorts of indoor climbing adventures and the cats were clearly well-cared for. The staff introduced me to ‘my’ cats, both with their unique stories and personalities.

The adoption process itself was seamless. The rescuers provided all the necessary paperwork, ensured that the cats were up-to-date on vaccinations, and even included a starter pack with food and toys. Their support didn’t end there; they made follow-up calls to check on how we were settling in and were always available to answer any questions or concerns.

One of the most touching aspects of my experience was the aftercare. The rescuers genuinely cared about the transition and well-being of my new cat. They provided tips on helping them adjust and were eager to hear updates about how they were doing. This level of support made the entire process so much easier and reassuring.

I wholeheartedly recommend Waifs and Strays to anyone considering adopting a cat. Their dedication, kindness, and support are unparalleled. Thanks to them, we have two wonderful companions who have brought so much joy into our lives along with expected cheekiness and purriness.

If you’re looking for a compassionate and professional rescue companion, get in touch with Waifs and Strays.

Steph Allen

Waifs and Strays is an excellent organisation to adopt a cat from. I came across them on their Facebook page and stopped to look at all the loveable cats. It seemed a friendly group. I liked the way they kept us up to date with the cats in their care.

One particular cat, Rambo, looked as though he might be suited with my home so I made an enquiry. I got a friendly and prompt response. It turned out he was nearby, being looked after by Matt, so I went to visit. . Matt’s house is a cat’s paradise, clean and spacious and full of interesting structures to climb. He and Hilary clearly run a professional organisation and are experienced in the adoption process. Matt came round to inspect my house on Rambo’s behalf, and he must have given me a good report because shortly afterwards Rambo moved in with me.

It’s a while since I had a cat, and Matt was helpful advising me what pieces of kit to buy. There so much on the market, his advice was useful and made that job simple. He has stayed in touch to make sure Rambo is happy here. I feel really well supported. I feel sure that if I do have any problems or questions in the future, Waifs and Strays will be there for us.

Rosamund Shannon

Matt has supported Rodney and I from the first day we met. Rodney was my first cat and Matt told me everything I needed to get started.

My first call for help was four days later, and two years on I am still in contact with Matt giving excellent advice on any occasional health issues.

Mostly these days I keep him in contact with photos of how well Rodney is. Matt is definitely ‘Uncle Matt’ who genuinely cares about the cats he has fostered.

We will stay in contact for the rest of Rodney’s life, as I know he cares about him as much as I do.

Nicky

I am so lucky to be part of the waifs and Strays Facebook group as its made my family complete.

In early September 2023, I saw a post looking to rehome an older cat called Ziggy. I fell for him straightaway.

I contacted the owner and we exchanged numbers. In the background Matt helped us and advised about how it works as hadn’t done a direct rehoming before. Matt was brilliant and guided us at every stage

Move on 8 months and Ziggy has settled in to his retirement home nicely and is living his best life with his newly adopted brother JoJo I am so grateful to all the team at Waifs and Strays as they work tirelessly to help all the cats they possibly can and always go above and beyond. We’ll done all and so proud of you.

Melissa Thomson

We adopted Murphy from Waifs & Strays in March, he’s settled in so well with are family of cats and I feel that has something to do with matching the right cat to the family that would suit their needs.

We contacted Hilary first saying we were interested in Murphy and she gave us an insight of his personality and was then put in contact with Cerys O’Neill who was fostering Murphy, Cerys was brilliant at telling us all about Murphy since he had been with her and really brought his true personality out of him with love and caring for him, we soon realised he would fit in perfectly to our family and we would be able to provide Murphy with what he needed.

Matt Goodram was also available to support us with the adoption by answering any questions we may have and encouraging us with how we introduce Murphy to our other cats. All paperwork ,chip change over ect was managed by Hilary Ford and everything was completed quickly.
Would definitely recommend adopting from this group they all our lovely caring people with a world of knowledge on cats through experience.

The support from them all has still carried on after the adoption has been completed.

Maria & Mike Jewer

Waifs and strays have been brilliant with our local hobo, their care and attention to each and every cat just goes above and beyond any other cat charity I’ve dealt with!

Matt Kench

We were lucky enough to adopt 2 kittens from a litter of 5 that Waifs & Strays had from a mother cat they had taken in while pregnant. They were born during the extreme heatwave we had in June 2022 and all 5 had been suffering with upset tummies.

We agreed to take them at 10 weeks old knowing that their tummies were still not settled but happy to deal with it. Hilary and Susan, who had homed them from birth, were fantastic and always hand for advice and support. Despite all our efforts researching and trying different types of food the tummy problems continued and Hilary arranged vet visits to check them over and had stool samples done.

Vets were stumped as to what the problem was, and they had medication to try and help. Hilary and Susan couldn’t have been more supportive, even at one point offering to take our 2 back into their care until the pooping situation improved as they felt bad for what we were dealing with, there was poop of every type and colour constantly throughout the house. We chose to persevere but so appreciated their concern.

We were in constant contact with them both and the owner of the other 2 from the litter who was also having the same problems. Gradually one of ours and the other 3 from the litter started to improve but our little female, Robyn, didn’t. Whilst the pooping improved, she was drastically losing weight despite eating and drinking well. She was very lethargic and frail. Hilary arranged vet visits for her and eventually after lots of investigations to find the cause they discovered she had a congenital liver defect and we and Hilary made the heartbreaking decision to let her go to end her suffering.

We, Susan and Hilary were all devastated as we had all tried so hard to get her better and she was so loved by us all. We had got to love her for 3 weeks, so it was sad only having her brother Rocky without his sister that he adored. As a family we had discussed whether to ask about adopting the remaining kitten that was still with her mum with Susan. Before I had a chance to ask Hilary, she messaged me to say she and Susan wondered if we wanted to try having the remaining kitten as she wasn’t getting on with her mum so well. They had been apart for 4 weeks so we weren’t sure the 2 kittens would accept each other so we had a trial period before officially adopting. To the relief of all of us within days they were playing with each other and then snuggling up to sleep together, so Hilary was happy for us to keep Nova.

I’m so happy we found the amazing Waifs & Strays Cat Rescue for our adoption as all the team go above and beyond for what they do in the local, and not so local, cat community. They work so hard day and night to make sure no cat suffers and to try and find suitable homes for them, and the care continues even after adoption with such wonderful support, help and guidance.

Lisa Cluett

I have a 15-year-old cat called Nebe, I decided to get a kitten so when Nebe goes it wasn’t as painful, However I came home with three, as you can imagine this was not as smooth a transition as I had imagined. Nebe hated them and wanted to kill them, he chased, hissed, and swiped at them, which in turn was traumatizing them,  it was at this point I realized what a huge mistake I had made, but i loved them, they were my family.

i had to do whatever I could to keep them, so I called in Matt, I only knew of Matt through his other half Tina, but what a God send. So, Matt went about telling me of all my mistakes, and how to correct them, I just knew to listen because he oozes cat love, and I knew if this was going to work, I had to do everything he said, as his main concern was for Nebe.

If we get Nebe in a good place the rest will hopefully fall into place, and he was so right, Matt warned me from the beginning Nebe may never love or snuggle the kittens, but he will hopefully tolerate them.

6 months down the road I can honestly say I have a very happy and peaceful cat life now, the kittens learnt to give Nebe a wide birth, which in turn has given Nebe the space he needed, and as for me I learnt never do anything with animals unless you know exactly what you’re taking on.

I was lucky I had Matt to help me, but this could of ended up so differently. So from  Nebeceneza, Eric, Ernie and Evie, thank you Uncle Matt xx

Karen Lever

It has been my honour to care for four cats at end of life under the support of Hilary and the wider team, one female and three male cats who were not neutered on arrival into care. Behind the scenes a lot happens, for instance all receive a vet check, neutered as an essential , any physical ailments dealt with via vet and prescribed medications.

One boy had never had a home, he was feisty and blind which complicated his care but Hilary was constantly advising / reassuring / caring and even spoke to me as I held him whilst the vet carefully ended his life, without her I’d have crumbled but Oscar had three months of happiness and is buried in my garden.

The other three were easier to care for but again Hilary moved heaven and earth when I was on holiday and my female end if life fell ill, she was able to organise Molly to see a vet urgently, this is a team of many individuals working together from three local rescues . Without these rescues cooperating with each other and having one mutual desire to help one another these cats would have suffered or been put to sleep without knowing love. Instead, I was supported every step of the way and these animals were loved.

Julie Smith

As a family we have adopted two cats, one utterly adorable fellow, who could not put a foot wrong. Another who is a complete character, loved by all the neighbours for his antics.
What I appreciate about this charity is not only the love and commitment given by the founders, rescuers and everyone involved, is that they keep an interest in your animal and yourself. They have time for you. However, they are equally as happy to just know that the cat has settled, and leave you to enjoy your new friend, no matter the age.

Yes more help is always needed, yet there is no pressure from anyone asking you to help. There are fun ways to help, such as draws, car boot sale, open garden, or if none of that is your thing, just being a member is appreciated.

Jackie Verge

Thank you Waif & Strays for letting me adopt Ivy.

She has been me with now for 7 months. Ivy has made my life complete.

Waif & Strays give cats the greatest chance of finding a loving home.

They are very throughtful and kind.

Ce Barbosa

I have dad lots of help from Waifs & Strays Cat Rescue with my older rescue boy. Lots of advice on how to integrate him into a two-cat household.

When we realised, he was stressed and scared due to previous life we got more support from the rescue on how to help and resolve this.

He is now a settled boy with his two sisters. Waifs are always there with help and advice. I have now joined their Facebook page and do a small monthly standing order as I know the work they do needs us.

They always try to take in cats with their foster team, help with direct homing, rescuing cats in pitiful situations. I don’t know how they do what they do….but I’m glad they do it.

Allison Williams

I would like send Matt and the team at Waifs & Strays our thanks and gratitude for all their help in rehoming our beloved Ivy Mow Mow.

Our Ivy Mow Mow was saved as a kitten from becoming another stray street cat in Morocco. She was so tiny, but after lots of good healthy food, vet visits, vaccinations and lots of treats being sent over from the UK she became a well rounded indoor cat and my mums only companion whilst living in Morocco. Our Wild African Princess.

Mum and I had been planning to return to Australia and to take Ivy with us via a small stop in the UK. So we started the lengthy process of arranging her Pet Passport, Vaccinations, and Certificates. During this process and just before leaving Morocco, we found out that Australia would require Ivy to stay in the UK for a further 6 months before arriving into Australia. This was something we were not prepared for and spun our plans into chaos as to what we were going to do as our return to Oz plans were already set in motion. After long hard deliberating and many tears later we came to the realisation we were going to have to rehome our beautiful girl.

The next step was getting her into the UK, where we knew she would be looked after properly and have the best chance of finding a good new home.

The trip back to the UK took us 3 days, 1 x plane from Morocco into Paris, 2 x Trains across France, 3 Hotels and a Car journey through the Tunnel back into the UK and down to Poole. All because we could not fly directly into the UK with a Cat. But we were prepared to do what ever it took to give Ivy the best life possible. Poor Ivy was exhausted.

I had been speaking with Waifs & Strays in regards to helping us rehome Ivy. Matt was my neighbour, so I already knew about his love for cats and the great work he does with Waifs & Strays. I knew Ivy would be in the best hands possible and there was no one I could have trusted more than Matt to care for and rehome our baby.

The day after arriving back into the UK we took Ivy straight to over to Matt’s as she had already been through so much and we wanted to get her settled as soon as possible. We inspected her temporary living arrangements where Matt would care for and assess her for as long as needed before finding her the perfect new forever home. She was sooo spoilt and had a whole cat hotel to herself with all the toys, choice of beds, food, and climbing apparatus she could want. So with broken hearts and many ore tears, we said goodbye to our beautiful girl.
Ivy stayed with Matt for around 4 weeks before she was ready to be rehomed. Ivy had plenty of interest, and Matt vetted possible new humans for Ivy’s forever home. He took into consideration all of Ivy’s specific requirements, which was quite a list, due the fact she had never been outside or met another animal due to being and indoor cat in Morocco. She also has many quirks and was slightly crossed eyed. So she really required a safe and secure home.

After several applications the right lady came along, and Matt knew as soon as he met her that she was going to be the Perfect fit for our Ivy. So after doing his checks and home visits of her new possible forever home, Ivy had finally found her new Mumma.

We have had several updates and pics of our Ivy’s progress and we can see she has settled in perfectly and her new Mumma loves her and all her quirks as much as we could have hoped for.
Though we still miss our girl every single day and the tears still come when we thing about her, we know she is happy and content in her new home. And although it was a super hard choice to make, we absolutely made the right one for her by choosing Matt and Waifs and Strays to give her the best possible future.

THANK YOU

Shara & Marian