By: Barbara Snell
Hi… I’m Barbara and my journey at the Tyneside Adoption Centre began in June 2019 as a Cat Desensitisation Volunteer.
Initially I was so anxious, but gradually I managed to overcome my nerves. All of the staff and fellow volunteers at the centre were always willing to help and give me advice when and if needed, which made settling in a breeze! Over the following months I gained so much more confidence and knowledge than I ever thought possible.
From the excellent training in “hands on” cat care to CP workshops and online training modules – there are so many interesting things to learn and do. I look forward to coming to the Tyneside AC as often as possible to see the cats, kittens and fellow humans! Taking photographs of the cats gives me happy memories of some of the gorgeous felines I have met in the past, and ensures that I’ll never forget them. Joining the team here has transformed my outlook on life for the better – I am so grateful that I am able to be a part of such a special place.
Smiles all round at Team Tyneside!
My main hobby is looking after, or should I say spoiling, and pampering my two cats; Nelson a.k.a Shandy (whose claim to fame is featuring in several local news articles) and Jasmine who was adopted from the RSPCA (she came from a multi-cat household and had been severely neglected. She was rescued by them just in time).
They are my two special treasures.
I call them ‘Lord’ and ‘Ladyship’, as they have trained me so well as their humble servant. I also like to try and complete 1000 piece plus jigsaw puzzles…if I can finish them before the twosome jump on top of the jigsaw to er…help me? The pieces often end up scattered on the floor like confetti.
As Nelson & Jasmine are indoor cats I can safely grow dahlias, roses and loads of other colourful flowers in the garden. Although…most of my houseplants ended up getting manoeuvred off the windowsill by the sunbathing duo or used as a plaything when they wanted a new toy to kill.
Nelson and Jasmine, all snuggled up.
When I began volunteering here I intended to wait at least six months and then start thinking about adopting a cat from the centre to be a companion for Jasmine. You can guess what’s coming next…just two weeks later…I met Nelson , or Shandy as he was known at the time.
Oh, what a beautiful cat.
His lovely long, wavy white fur was so silky to the touch. He was a little bit shy at first somehow squeezing his large frame inside a comparatively small hiding space. When he came out, however, it didn’t take long for his super friendly nature to shine through.
Nelson was the one I always went to visit first as I had no choice in the matter. When I neared Admissions Block 1 he would see me coming and meow very loudly to draw my attention with a look on his face which meant “I want your attention now!” He would then roll in delight in front of me purring loudly adoring all the fuss he craved. To return the compliment he then rested his large front paws on my knee reaching forwards to lick my chin with his very rough tongue – whether I liked it or not!
I was totally won over and thought there was a good chance his kind, loving and laid back nature would make him an ideal companion for Jasmine.
I informed Lysa the deputy manager that I would love to be able to adopt Nelson when he was fit to home. Meanwhile, our vet was hard at work treating an ongoing problem with Nelson’s right eye., which sadly wasn’t responding to treatment. It became worse with more swelling causing him so much discomfort and pain. On welfare grounds the best course of action was for Nelson to have his eye removed by the vet.
During his recovery I spent even more time with him giving plenty of love and a Dreamie or two! He was a model patient but hated the dreaded cat halo he had to wear. After patiently waiting the time came when the vet said Nelson was ‘fit to home”. I could now adopt my brave and handsome Nelson. He came home with me at the end of September.
Fast forward a few months and Nelson is all healed up and happier than ever; and it’s safe to say I am too!
Nelson’s favourite room is the kitchen (as he just loves his food). When I go in he’s running around me excitedly tail straight up meowing loudly non-stop so I’ll feed him first. He isn’t at all fussy what brand it is – just as long it is there and in his bowl. Now if I’m too slow at serving up it’s meow, meeeowww MEEEOWWWOWWWOWWW! He licks the bowl clean and then moves it with his paw – just in case a morsel is hiding underneath – then checks to see if Jasmine has left any of hers so he can steal a bit more.
He loves to try and catch a Dreamie in his curled up paw if he can when I throw one to him. Occasionally it gets stuck in the long fur on his foot pad and he frantically spins round in circles trying to get it out! On a night when I’m reading a newspaper or magazine he likes nothing better than jumping on my knee to have a nap using my reading material as his cushion. Oh well I can watch TV instead as luckily the remotes on the chair arm – as I would hate to disturb him.
After a period of introduction, during which I used scent swapping to get Nelson and Jasmine used to each others’ smells, the two became thick as thieves! These days Nelson and Jasmine like to take their daily exercise together taking turns to chase each other up and down the stairs in and out the living room and back up again. And down and up and… on and on… until one of them finally tires.
Jasmine also likes to ambush Nelson by bursting out of the cat tunnel and jumping on him or over him depending on kind of mood she’s in at the time. There have been plenty of assorted toy mice and bird casualties along the way as the duo practise the perfect hunting technique. They’re so funny and entertaining to watch.
The joy they have brought into my life – just purrfect!
Barbara has been a passionate member of our volunteering team since June 2019; first as a Cat Desensitisation Volunteer, and later expanding her responsibilities to include Cat Care. When Barbara isn’t busy helping out at the centre, she enjoys puzzles, taking care of her two beautiful cats and partaking in nice cup of tea and a biscuit.
Cats Protection Tyneside Adoption Centre 