Cat fosterer's delight as kitten features in calendar

River features in Cat Protection's 2024 charity calendar

A woman who has fostered more than 160 cats has spoken of her delight after one of them featured in a charity calendar.

Abbie Carter started taking in kittens while she was stuck at home in Chesterton, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, with health difficulties.

The 26-year-old has since fostered 167 cats from the Stoke and Newcastle branch of Cats Protection.

One of her felines, River, was selected for the charity’s 2024 calendar, the organisation said.

Ms Carter said she was “super excited” when she heard her “gorgeous girl” River would be part of the calendar.

“I'm currently fostering my 167th foster cat. They are all unique and have their own personalities,” she said.

“I'm glad that one of them has made it into the calendar, she makes a great cat model.”

'Such an achievement'

Ms Carter was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) when she was 14 years old.

The condition affects about one in every 500 people, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

It can leave sufferers feeling tired, even after sleep, and lead to problems with thinking, memory and concentration.

Ms Carter said taking in the homeless cats had helped her as much as it helped them because it gave her a purpose.

“I particularly enjoy hand-rearing kittens, it feels like such an achievement watching them grow and go onto new homes,” she added.

River was taken into the care of Cats Protection at four weeks old, along with her three siblings and mother.

Ms Carter fostered all of them but, while the others have since been rehomed, she chose to adopt River, who she cared for alongside her other cats Rhubarb, Fuze and Beans.

River appeared on the April page of the calendar and the charity said money from sales would go towards rehoming and fostering unwanted cats.