On average we home some 500 cats of all ages, colours and personalities each year.

Our dedicated volunteers (home visitors, fosterers and homing organisors) work incredibly hard to find the perfect cat for prospective parents. Some adopters want a kitten, some an old cat and some even ask for a cat that no-one else wants!

By the very nature of our work we take in cats and kittens from all types of backgrounds and circumstances. However, each and everyone of them do have one thing in common - they need our help in finding them their forever home.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do is getting feedback about our cats after they leave our care. So, we are delighted to share some 'Happy Endings' stories with you!

I adopted my "Golden Oldies" ,Ellie and Tina, from Croydon Cats Protection in November 2010. I didn´t plan on getting two cats; after my home visit, Mags from Croydon CP called me and told me about Ellie and Tina, they were both older cats; what CP calls "Golden Oldies" . She explained that the branch found it difficult to home older cats and as a result they can contribute to vets bills if necessary if the cats become poorly in their old age.

Ellie and Tina´s owner had died recently and although they had lived together for all of their 12 years CP would be happy to home them individually. Mags told me that Ellie was tabby and white and Tina was tortie and white; perhaps I´d like to come and meet them and choose between the two? Given a choice like that I knew my only choice would be to take both of them.

They were staying at Romney House and had only been there a few days so had not been photographed, so the first time I saw them was when they arrived a week later. I don´t have any transport so Barbara one of the lovely CP ladies kindly delivered them to me. As soon as I saw them I knew I had made the right decision; they were the cutest little things I had even seen.

Not surprisingly they were both scared and nervous so spent the first day or two hiding behind the sofa, Ellie was the brave one who was first to venture out and make friends, Tina took a bit longer but eventually she too started to trust me. Three months later and Ellie is the certainly ´the boss´ while Tina is still a bit shy but she is growing in confidence every day.

Even though they are "Golden Oldies" they are certainly full of beans, especially Ellie who has become my new alarm clock. No chance of over sleeping when you have a cat sat on your head, meowing in your ear demanding breakfast. They do sleep a lot, but they also like to chase each other around my flat and love to play with their cat nip toys.

They may be a little older but are both so friendly and affectionate - they are a delight to own. They are both fit and healthy; although as with all older cats they have had to visit the vet for a dental check up and Tina had to have a couple of teeth out, but she recovered very quickly but is a much happier cat as a result.

Croydon Cats Protection and my local vets have been so lovely and often tell me what a great thing I have done by adopting older cats. I don´t think I have done anything great they are a complete joy to own. I have had them for 3 months now and I cannot imagine life without them. If you are thinking of adopting a cat, take a look at the "Golden Oldies" , I cannot recommend it enough.