A trained vet nurse, Ms Garner established Paws Crossed Cat Rescue at her Kinmont home about nine months ago, and has rescued and rehomed more than 100 cats and kittens since.
Paws Crossed Cat Rescue originally began in Cromwell two years ago, and Ms Garner wanted to continue her work with felines when she moved to Dunedin.
"It is a lot of hard work, but I love them and I want them to find good homes,'' she said.
The cats and kittens come from all over Dunedin, and can range from animals dumped at farms or in rural areas, to kittens offered free on social media.
"Sometimes, people phone and say they can't look after a litter of kittens and ask us for help,'' Ms Garner said.
Often, as well as taking the kittens in these cases, she offers discounted desexing for the mother cats.
"Desexing is so important, because otherwise the kittens just keep coming and coming.''
It has been a very busy summer for Paws Crossed, the warm weather having made it possible for mother cats to produce two or three litters.
Based mainly at the home of Ms Garner and her teenage daughters, Paws Crossed also has several fosterers in Dunedin and Mosgiel, who care for young kittens until they are ready for adoption.
"It can be quite a struggle to manage so many cats and kittens, but we are fortunate to have good support from local vets,'' she said.
"And we could definitely do with some more fosterers to help out, as well as donations of food and funds.''
Cat cafe
In recent months, Aimee Garner has established a ‘‘cat cafe’’ on Sundays, where people can visit for a small charge and play with the kittens.
"These cat cafes have been going really well — people love having the chance to spend time with the kittens and the kittens love it too.
"And it is a great way for us to raise some money to cover costs, and also to hopefully find homes for some of our kittens and cats at the same time.’’
The next cat cafe will be held today - register via the Paws Crossed Cat Rescue Facebook page.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
