Melanie Lampro

I’ve supported and donated to animal charities and rescues for as long as I can remember. Anyone who knew 10-year-old me might remember Pet Club, but that’s a whole other, very Durrell-esque affair.

Animals have always shaped how I try to live, with care, responsibility, and compassion.

Before fostering became part of my life, I shared my home for many years with two black sibling cats, Bitey Trip Hazard and Goblin Frankenkitty. Together, they were known as Vlad’s Kittens, a name given to them by a dear friend. Bitey went over the Rainbow Bridge a couple of years before Goblin.

Loco, also known as #SpaDog, is a rescue from Gran Canaria, a Miniature Pinscher brought to the UK by Pet Pals GC. He joined our household later and learned to live alongside Goblin, also affectionately known as #SpaCat. When Goblin joined her sister over the Rainbow Bridge, I honestly didn’t think I could face having another cat.

What I hadn’t expected was how deeply Loco grieved.

Watching him search for her, returning to the places she used to curl up, was heartbreaking. He seemed unsettled and lost in a way I hadn’t seen before. Fostering became a way to help animals in need while also helping him settle again.

Loco “mother hens” kittens with a gentleness that still surprises me. He checks on them, settles near them, and adjusts his energy into something calm and protective. With one litter, he would wait each morning, then gently usher the kittens out one by one for breakfast before settling down to eat himself. He takes his role very seriously and is, without question, a very good boy. He is also my best friend.

He wasn’t my first dog, or my first waif and stray, but Loco was my first official rescue dog. I took him on knowing he would need patience, time, and care, though some things only became clear once he’d settled. His dental condition was pre-existing and undiagnosed when he arrived, and there was no way for anyone to have known at the time.

I was learning as I went, and I’m fairly sure I drove the rescue mad with questions in those early days. Over time there were significant costs, adjustments, and a lot of learning on all sides. That experience shaped how I approach rescue work now, with clearer boundaries and a better understanding of what animals can carry into new homes.

Currently, I volunteer with Cat Man Jules Cat Rescue, a small, grassroots organisation based in Sheffield. It isn’t a registered charity, which is currently allowed in the UK, although there are ongoing discussions about introducing clearer rules and oversight. Personally, I’m in favour of that. I know I’m acting in good faith, but I’m also aware that not everyone is, and that animals and donations can be vulnerable when things are completely unregulated.

For me, transparency matters. I want people to understand who I’m helping, how things work, and where the boundaries are. If you’re interested in the wider conversation about oversight, there is also a UK Parliament petition calling for clearer licensing and regulation of dog and cat rescues: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718660.

I’m not an expert and I’m not here to tell anyone what to do. I just try to be open about how and why I’m involved, and to do right by the animals in my care.

I generally only take on kittens, mostly for practical reasons. My home works well for short-term fostering but isn’t suitable for multiple adult cats. Kittens can be contained, supervised, and gradually introduced to space as they grow, which makes hygiene and introductions easier to manage.

Most kittens arrive with worms, and many also have fleas. This is normal for outdoor kittens and isn’t a reflection of neglect. Worming, flea treatment, appropriate food, and gentle cleaning are simply part of settling them in. Young kittens also need age-appropriate food; they can’t just be fed adult food and hope for the best.

Health concerns and treatment plans are always handled in consultation with the rescue and qualified vets, namely Hall Court Veterinary Group, Dinnington and Abbeymoor Veterinary Centres. I don’t give veterinary advice and don’t make decisions beyond my role as a foster carer.

As my fostering involvement grew, so did the practical side of it. At first I covered everything myself as an additional way of supporting the rescue. That was manageable with two kittens, less so as numbers increased.

I’m aware many people are under financial pressure. Support is never expected. Kind words, advice, or simply wishing the kittens well all matter. I also pass on surplus supplies to other fosterers and rescues whenever I can.

I’m in this for the cats. I only take on what I can manage safely and responsibly. Welfare comes first.

About Adoption Donations

Adoption donations do not generate profit. Every cat and kitten is microchipped, neutered or spayed, flea- and worm-treated, and some also require FIV testing before they are rehomed. No animal leaves for a home trial until this work is completed.

Veterinary costs are significant. In recent weeks alone, individual cats have incurred hundreds of pounds in vet bills, and monthly veterinary costs can run into four figures. Some cats require multiple vet visits before they are ready for adoption.

Adoption donations, after fuel costs, go directly towards covering these veterinary expenses and outstanding bills. They help ensure that every animal is fully treated, responsibly prepared, and safely rehomed.

The Adoption Process

If you’re interested in adopting a kitten, there is a simple process to follow to ensure each animal is placed safely and responsibly.

Prospective adopters are asked to provide their full name, address, and a contact phone number. Once these details are received, a member of the rescue team will arrange a home check and complete the necessary adoption paperwork.

The current adoption donation is £150 per male cat or kitten, £180 per female cat or kitten.

Availability varies, and adoption timelines can shift quickly depending on health, development, and rescue capacity. Updates are shared where appropriate, but patience is appreciated.

On judgement, assumptions, and kindness

From time to time, assumptions are made about people who are trying to help animals, particularly fosterers. It can look simple from the outside. Suggestions are often made about what someone should do, without seeing the limits they’re working within.

Asking for help, whether that’s practical advice, donated supplies, or shared knowledge, is not neglect. It is part of how rescue work functions when resources are stretched. Public criticism doesn’t just affect the person being targeted, it also affects the quieter people watching from the sidelines.

I won’t engage in pile-ons or arguments. I will continue to act responsibly, within my limits, and always with the animals’ welfare at the centre. If something here isn’t for you, it’s okay to step away.

Care doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

I do this because it feels right. Because animals need safe, calm places. Because I can offer one.

If you support it, thank you. If you can’t, that’s completely understood.

In many ways, it feels like I’ve simply come back to where I started, offering care, space, and steadiness, just with a little more experience than the original Pet Club ever had.

Foster Gallery

These are the cats and kittens that are in or have passed through my care.

Donations

If you’d like to help, you can donate directly to the rescue, or support the cats currently in my care. Both are appreciated, and there is no expectation.

I now keep a small set of Amazon wishlists for those who want to help, with short notes explaining what each item is used for.

• Essentials Wishlist – everyday items like food, litter, and basic care supplies used regularly.
• Kitten Wishes Wishlist – non-urgent items, enrichment, and things that improve comfort and development.
• Additional Wishlist – extra or specialist items, including storage, organisation, and equipment to help manage care.
• New Volunteers Wishlist – items that new foster carers typically require to begin volunteering with us, to be distributed between foster homes.

All of the lists are about organisation and transparency, not expectation. If you’d prefer to contribute towards veterinary care, donations can also be made directly to Hall Court Veterinary Group in Dinnington. Please call the practice and ask to donate to the Cat Man Jules account.

If there’s anything you’d like to know about the cats in my care, feel free to leave a comment. I’m always happy to answer questions where I can.

Thank you for supporting the cats, in whatever way you can.