Help an animal in need by becoming a Mayhew foster carer

Our foster carers play an important part by providing a temporary home for these animals and giving them the special attention that they need. In turn, fostering allows us to take in more animals in need of our care.

Read how you could help foster kittens like Ed Sheeran, Elvis, Rihanna, Paloma and Faith, after they were found abandoned in a park.

In April, five kittens were discovered inside a cardboard box by a concerned dog walker in a London park. They were taken to Mayhew, the animal welfare charity in Kensal Green, where they were cleaned, fed and given a full veterinary check-up and were named Elvis, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Paloma and Faith by Mayhew staff.

Georgina Costi, Mayhew Head of Cattery, explains, “We don’t know why these kittens were abandoned but we are urgently asking pet owners not to leave their pets in parks as this is an incredibly dangerous environment for vulnerable animals without owners. The kittens have now been re-homed but we urgently need foster carers. Placing animals like these with a foster carer allows them to grow up in a calm environment which is vital for their emotional and behavioural development. It ensures that they will be able to thrive as a pet cat in a home environment.”

As one dedicated Mayhew foster carer, explains, “It’s easy to get support from Mayhew. I also knew from the beginning that saying goodbye to foster cats was going to be tough, so I’d say it’s important to focus on the fact that you are providing a good foundation for a future home for the cats in your care.”

For more information about how you can become a Mayhew foster carer, please visit https://themayhew.org/get-involved/fostering/