Semi-feral, half-blind, and suffering from severe digestive issues, Doris arrived at the shelter in critical condition—collapsed and covered in diarrhoea. She had originally been part of a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

program, but due to her poor eyesight and ongoing health problems, she couldn’t be released back with her colony. Her medical and behavioural challenges made her incredibly difficult to re-home, so she came to live with me. It didn’t take long to realize that much of her digestive distress was
stress-related. With a high-quality diet, a calm environment, and plenty of patience, I was able to ease her anxiety and help her learn to trust people. Slowly but surely, she transformed into the sweetest, happiest
little cat. I was only supposed to foster and rehabilitate her, but, as is often the
case with my behaviour fosters, I fixed her—and then I kept her!

I first met Gromit through work, and right away, I thought I had finally met my match. After over 20 years of handling aggressive
dogs, he was the first one I wasn’t sure I could win over. The moment I walked in, he was lunging, snapping, and doing everything in his power to keep me away. Initially, I suspected dominance aggression, which can be one of the most challenging
behaviours to manage. But then, I caught a look in his eyes—beneath the fury, I saw fear.
That changed everything. I immediately cleared the room, giving us space to work one-on-one. With patience, understanding, and a few well-practiced techniques, it didn’t take long before Gromit started to trust me.
His owner, a kind-hearted person who had recently rescued him, had no idea how severe his behaviour was. After a long
conversation, she agreed to let me help them both. The results? A transformation from a dog who wanted to attack me to one who just wanted to play and sit on my lap. Moments like these are why I do what I do.

George was surrendered to the shelter after developing feline hyperesthesia, a condition that caused him to have mini seizures in his sleep and whenever a specific spot on his back was touched. On top of that, he struggled with self-mutilation and had to wear a buster collar at all times
to prevent further harm. It didn’t take me long to realize that his condition was more behavioural than medical. With patience, trust-building and the right approach, I helped him overcome his deep-rooted fear. I taught him that touch wasn’t something to fear but something to enjoy. As his confidence grew, the seizures stopped and the self-harming behaviour faded away. Eventually, I was able to take him off all
medication, remove the buster collar and give him the safe, loving forever home he deserved.

After being abandoned by her previous owners, Mystikarla came to me as a foster in need of rehabilitation. She was absolutely terrified of humans and hated other cats. It didn’t take long to earn her trust. With patience and gentle reassurance, she slowly came out of her shell and learned to love
again. She transformed into one of the most affectionate cats I’ve ever had.
Once she was happy and confident, I helped her overcome her fear of other cats. With time and careful introductions, she integrated beautifully into my household, where she now lives in harmony with the rest of my feline family. Her journey from fear to trust is a true testament to the power of patience and compassion.

In December, we were alerted to a stray cat by a kind member of the public who had been feeding him. They were concerned as he had developed a limp so they contacted us at Celia Hammond Animal Trust and we were more than happy to help.  This boy was semi-feral and terrified, making handling impossible, which meant we had to sedate him to properly examine his injury. What we found was heartbreaking—his left paw was severely damaged, with a significant infection.  Unfortunately, this leg was not saveable and the only option we had to relieve his suffering was amputation. We gave him some time to adjust after surgery and I spent some quality time with him, slowly showing him that he had nothing to fear from us. Despite his initial fear, it didn’t take long before he was comfortable with my presence, and I was able to start hands-on work at his pace. Once his wound had healed, he was ready for the next step—moving into our ‘flat’ room. This provided a safe space where I could continue working through his fears, help him adjust to indoor life, and support him in learning to navigate on three legs. At first, he hid behind the bed, only coming out when I was present or for food. But with patience and gentle encouragement, he started to explore, play, and even enjoyed being stroked. Now, he confidently relaxes on his favourite blanket, sleeps beside me, and greets me with excitement. He has transformed from a scared and untouchable stray into a loving companion who just wants cuddles—so much so that he starts to dribble with happiness! My work here is done. Now, this incredible boy needs a forever home where he can continue his journey with love and care. If you think you can offer him the home he deserves, please get in touch at adoptions@celiahammond.org.